Vernon team uses penalty kicks to score soccer tourney win over Rutland
Published 9:00 pm Friday, May 1, 2026
A classic championship final determined the winner of the annual Okanagan Classic Senior Girls High School Soccer Tournament.
The eight-team event, hosted by the Seaton Sonics of Vernon, and the Kalamalka Lakers of Coldstream April 23 and 24, saw the Sonics use penalty kicks (PK) to defeat the Rutland Thunder 3-3 (5-3 in the PK) in the all-Okanagan final.
“We are so proud of the Grade 8 to 12 Senior Girls Soccer Team who were able to sacrifice their in-class schedules to be a part of the team, and demonstrate their amazing skill and Never Give Up commitment to the beautiful game,” said Seaton assistant coach/team manager Jill Morrison.
Rick Ogasawara also coaches the Sonics. He was at the helm of the senior boys team during the fall schedule.
The Sonics were down 3-0 to the Thunder in the opening half of the final before scoring twice in the final 11 minutes to trail 3-2 at the break.
The second half was more evenly matched with Seaton equalizing with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation time.
The game was slated to go to a pair of 7.5 minute overtime periods but the coaches from both teams agreed to go straight to penalty kicks.
Seaton scored on all five of their attempts, Rutland could only muster three into the net past keeper Carys Scott.
The Sonics advanced to the final with a 4-0 win the North Surrey Spartans in a semifinal. The ladies qualified for the final four by finishing second in their pool group, behind Rutland, by just a one-point differential.
Seaton defeated the George Elliot Coyotes of Lake Country 2-1, and blanked the Queen Elizabeth Royals of Surrey 4-0 in pool play.
The Sonics are coached by Ogasawara and Morrison. Players include Kamryn Cunningham, Queen-Esther Egbujor, Abby Ellis, Olivia Ellis, Juliette Freathy, Hazel Grasby, Bella Gudeit, Allie Hobenshield, Kate Hobenshield, Hadley Lanaway, Nora Louis, Meizie McGrew, Eva Morrison, Scott, Nicole Sjoberg, Kaylee Stinn, Georgia Thiem, Maddie Waldegger, and Sarah Whibley.
The Lakers and Vernon Secondary Panthers also competed in the tournament.