If it wasn‘t for bad luck, the Penticton Pinnacles would have no luck at all.
Despite playing another strong game, the Pinnacles dropped a 5-2 decision to Victoria United in Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Men‘s Division play Saturday in Kelowna.
“I‘m running out of words to describe it,” said Pinnacles head coach John Holman, who saw his team drop to 0-3-1 on the season. “We played well up front and even though we gave up five goals, we were pretty solid defensively. The midfield play has been a problem for us at times.”
It‘s been a common theme for the Pinnacles this season. The team has played well enough to be 3-1, but instead find themselves winless - and running out of time to make the playoffs.
“We‘ve got to get rolling right now if we want to finish in the top four,” said Holman. “The thing is, I think we‘re capable of beating anyone and I‘m still positive we‘re going to make the playoffs. The luck has to turn around at some point.”
That point was not on Saturday, as the Pinnacles fell behind 3-0 at halftime.
“We gave them four of the five goals,” said Holman. “At halftime, we were still positive and still felt we could get back in the game.”
The Pinnacles did claw back within 3-1 early in the second half as Randy Hubber converted a nice set-up by Brazilian star Sosa.
But a controversial penalty kick allowed the home side to restore the three-goal cushion.
Sosa got the Pinnacles within 4-2 on a nice individual effort, but Victoria again reclaimed the three-goal edge on a goal Holman described as “silly.”
Kelowna‘s Brandon Ritchey debuted in goal for the Pinnacles and played “extremely well” despite giving up the five-spot.
“They had a couple of goals on perfect shots to the top corner of the net, and Brandon very nearly stopped the penalty kick,” Holman said.
Rodrigo Cruz scored twice and Drew Brittain, Kenny Erb and Manny Straith had the others for Victoria.
The Pinnacles are back on the road this weekend visiting Coquitlam Metro Ford on Saturday night and Kamloops Excel on Sunday afternoon.
“The consensus seems to be Coquitlam is the top team in the league,” said Holman. “The Kamloops game is massive … it‘s vital we get a result there.”
