Ponoka F.C. in winning start to Battle River Men’s League
Submitted by Michelle Blanchette
Ponoka’s local men’s team made it a winning start to the season Sunday, May 11 when they overpowered Manluk F.C. 5-1 in the season’s first game in Wetaskiwin.
Manluk scored on a penalty early in the first half. Ponoka had some good scoring opportunities in the first half, but Manluk’s keeper was solid. Manluk remained ahead 1-0 at the conclusion of the first half.
Bryce Sharpe scored for Ponoka from a corner kick in the second half and the team never looked back. Additional goals came from Josh Simons, Maarten Opsteen, Eric Ehscheid and Christoph Dittmar.
Next match for Ponoka is a home game, Monday May 19 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Diablos F.C. at the Ponoka Secondary Campus field.
All Battle River Men’s league opening matches were originally scheduled for Sunday May 4, including a home game for our Ponoka team, were postponed due to the snowfall. That match will be rescheduled to sometime in July.
Locos win one, lose one
Submitted by Wes Amendt, Locos Head Coach
The Lacoka Tier II Jr. B Locos team beat the Innisfail Yetti 9-7 in Innisfail on Friday night, May 9.
Dustin Bell led the way with six goals and two assists for the Locos; Tucker Dougherty chipped in with two goals and three helpers. Andrew Kooiman added the other goal for the Locos.
Sawyer Gervais led the Yetti with three goals and an assist, Aric Bosomworth two goals and two assists while Kaden Christensen had two goals and one assist for the Innisfail squad.
On Saturday, however, Locos suffered their first loss of the season at the hands Wranglers from Calgary with a score of 12-5.
Locos’ practice and game schedule now moves to Lacombe and the team will not have another game until May 24.
Bandits kick off season with strong win
Submitted by Lucas Willier, Softball Coordinator
On Thursday May 8, the Ponoka Bandits fastball team beat Red Deer Rage 13-10.
The Bandits fastball team was finally on the field Thursday and proved that the long winter wait was worth it.
Defensively the bandits had all the answers, holding the Red Deer Rage to a single run in the final innings. Offensive stars Camryn Hutchison and Sydney Raby both hit home runs to carry their team to the first victory of the season.
Buccaneers update
The Central Alberta Buccaneers hosted their second annual Buc Pub Night at Bo' Bar & Grill, Saturday, May 10. Those in attendance were able to enter into a 50/50 raffle, bid on silent auction items, stand a chance of winning door prizes, and rub elbows with the Bucs.
The Bucs would like to thank everyone in attendance as well as the generous sponsors who donated auction and door prize items. With their support, the team was able to raise the funds necessary for the 2014 season.