The Penticton Pinnacles got to know each other – literally – minutes before their Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Men‘s Division opener at Kamloops on Saturday afternoon.
“It was our first game together as a team and guys were introducing themselves to each other before the match,” said new head coach Chris Bennett, who watched his squad put in a spirited effort in a 2-1 loss to the Kamloops Heat. “They showed a lot of guts and determination in a physical game against a team much, much taller and heavier than us. They didn‘t back down and I was very, very proud of them.
“I felt bad for them, more than anything, because they deserved a better fate.”
Kamloops broke the tie midway through the second half as a long-range shot, pushed by a heavy wind that howled throughout most of the game, bounced past deputizing goalkeeper Brian MacKenzie of Trail.
“The goal came out of nothing,” said Bennett. “We didn‘t give them many shots or chances. It was an unfortunate break.”
The Heat opened the scoring on a defensive blunder by the Pinnacles, but Penticton tied the game before the half on a goal by Marino Mellaart.
The Pinnacles had to insert MacKenzie in goal because Brian Maloney was unable to come up from Vancouver for the game. Jacob and Garrett Canziate also came over from Trail for the game and Bennett was impressed with both.
“Jacob is a real keeper, a kid who can play well in the middle and up front,” said the coach.
While the players were finding out about each other, Bennett was finding out a lot about the players.
“You see some of these kids in game situations, and realize they‘re very good players,” said Bennett. “Tyler Allison, Sean Peterson and Nate Surkan were among those who stood out. The rest of them were all really steady.
“It needs a bit of tweaking and we need to play more games together, but I‘m very optimistic going forward.”
The Pinnacles host Chilliwack Saturday at 4 p.m. and Vancouver Sunday at 1 p.m., at King‘s Park.
“We definitely need to get results at home,” said Bennett. “You don‘t want to get behind the pack early.”
Even one win would represent progress, since the Pinnacles did not win in five home games last season.
