Pioneers 2005 Penticton Champions!

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On the heels of the recent victory at the Juan de Fuca Tournament, the Richmond Pioneers enjoyed a fabulous weekend in Penticton, winning all four games and taking the number one spot in the Over 50 Division at the 2005 Penticton Soccer Tournament.

With 11 teams in the Over 50 Division, all the teams were placed in one large pool. Based on the usual tournament system whereby goals (up to 3) and shutouts are rewarded with points over and above the 6 points for a victory, the Pioneers knew it would take close to maximum points to place in the top two of the 11 participants and gain a place in Monday's final.

Game 1
Richmond Pioneers 5 Summerland 0
With a number of regular players unable to make the trip on this Thanksgiving weekend, the Pioneers went up with a relatively small squad, numerically. With the earnest but overmatched Summerland as the first opponents, the Pioneers started convincingly with a comfortable 10 point victory. Goals came from Ken Johnston, Chris Smith, Billy Dixon, Denis Harvington, and Stan Bogdanovich (penalty).

Game 2
Richmond Pioneers 2 Spokane 0
It was a tougher second game for the Pioneers, against the USA side that the Pioneers defeated in a penalty shootout to take 3rd spot last year. The Pioneers took the lead with a goal from Ken Johnston, but it took a second half howitzer from Ron Joseph to seal the victory, and 9 more points.

Game 3
Richmond Pioneers 3 Prince George 0
With Cliff Avenue sitting on 29 points from their three games, and JB Pub (New West Regals to us) accumulating 28 points from their 3 victories, only a maximum 10 point victory would guarantee the Pioneers a place in the final. The Pioneers made heavy going of what was expected to be more of a formality. Up 1-0 at the half from a Chris Smith header, Billy Dixon added a second midway through the second half and Stan Bogdanovich netted a late, all important third goal to give the Pioneers their 10 point victory, and a total of 29 from a possible 30.

Championship Final
Richmond Pioneers 2 Cliff Avenue 1
With the sunny weather of Saturday and Sunday replaced by blustery wind conditions, the Pioneers faced Cliff Avenue in the Final. Bolstered by the addition of three familiar faces from the Surrey Classics, and a couple of BC Transit players, Cliff Avenue had romped through the group games with ease.

As the Pioneers struggled in the early stages of the game, Cliff Ave looked sharp and took an early lead after 10 minutes. The goal seemed to awaken the Pioneers and they settled down and took the game to Cliff Ave, creating a number of clearcut, but missed, chances. Inevitably, the Pioneers got the equalizing goal when Chris Smith looped a header over the keeper. The 1-1 half-time scoreline flattered Cliff Avenue.

The second half was tightly contested but the Pioneers had the edge territorially, and the Cliff Ave goalie was the busier of the two keepers. Midway through the second half, Ken Johnston hooked a delicate shot over the keeper to give the Pioneers a deserved 2-1 lead. In the closing stages, Cliff Avenue pushed forward looking for the equalizer, and keeper Dave Valitis was called upon to make a fine diving save to preserve the delicate one goal lead.

The Pioneer defence—who conceded just one goal the whole tournament—stood firm and the final whistle blew for a famous and satisfying victory.

Next week: Away against Polonia.Details to follow.

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