The Nelson U15 Selects boys club had a positive weekend at the Kalispell, Montana tournament as they tune up for provincial playdowns in Cranbrook this coming weekend.
The U15s played up a division in the Montana tournament and came away with a 2-2 record.
In the first game Saturday morning the Selects played a very strong possession game against the side from Sandpoint, Idaho. In the first half, Evan Kulik scored the opener with a thundering kick off his left foot from beyond the 18 that fooled the keeper.
Nelson added an insurance marker late in the second after a Sandpoint player put it in his own net off a James Miller cross.
In Saturday’s second game against Flathead, Montana, the Nelson players didn’t have the jump and struggled through most of the match. However, they were up against a very strong squad and faired better than the other teams that faced them. Flathead scored in the first half and added their second in the last play of the game.
On Sunday morning the Selects came up against Kootenay rival Creston. It was a tough 3-0 loss for Nelson as they played very well with strong possession and many shots. Miscommunication on the back line led to two goals by Creston in the first half. Creston added a third late in the second.
In the consolation final the U15s were matched up against a club from Polson, Montana.
The Selects scored late in the first half when Micah May knocked one in a scramble in front of the Polson goal. Their second goal came with 10 minutes left in the match. An “own goal” in another scramble.
Nelson enjoyed most of the possession and moved the ball smartly, which frustrated the Montana team who committed many fouls.
Nelson U15 boys are preparing this week for the upcoming provincial playdowns in Cranbrook. They will be taking on Kootenay East, Creston and Columbia Valley. The winner moves on the Provincial “B” Cup which takes place in Aldergrove next month.