As the Penticton Structurlam Pinnacles celebrated their Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Division championship, they just looked at each other in awe. That’s how game MVP Casey Conway described the moment during the Challenge Cup in Kelowna.

“We went from fourth place to first place in a week and it was incredible,” said Conway, who scored three times to lead the Pinnacles to a 5-1 victory against the third-place Fraser Valley Action. “It was just a triumphant win. I was just stoked.”

Conway, who started the game playing outside mid reentered with 30 minutes remaining and used her time wisely potting two markers.

“I was a little shocked,” she said. “Then they announced my name after the game and gave me a plaque for MVP. I was like oh wow. A bit unexpected, but it was great.”

She credited her teammates for their great passes, including Kelsey Rufiange who sent her a great feed in which all she had to do was redirect the ball into the corner.

“I don’t’ think I even scored that many times throughout the league,” she laughed. “I don’t know what came over me.”

Coach Ray Hintz said his squad played really well after experiencing a letdown as a 3-0 lead slipped away against the Kamloops Heat. They still managed to pull out a 6-5 victory by winning the penalty kicks battle. While the offence stepped up, the Pinnacles coach was ecstatic about their defensive play.

“Our defensive line played outstanding with Dru Yates and Jessica Briker,” said Hintz, who lost Yates in the second half and put Briker in Yates’ sweeper position. He was also pleased with the play of Erin Finlay, Diane Harrison and Mila Miller, who had knee surgery and returned later in season.

“It was just a total team effort,” he continued. “Willow (Finlay) made the great saves when she had to. She wasn’t really tested that much in the second game.”

One of the reasons winning the PCSL feels great to Hintz is because he has several young players returning. Those experienced youth combined with the Finlay sisters who want to return and Mary Kampman who brings important leadership will help strengthen the team with most players eligible to return. Adding to those mentioned are Jana Yates, who scored eight goals, and Hintz feels she will be a force up front.

“I really forced Jana to go the net and she scored a couple of really nice goals,” he said.

Now Hintz is enjoying being a championship-winning coach. The team has a windup party on Thursday, but after their impressive win, the Pinnacles drank from their crystal prize.

“It was just a great feeling,” said Conway. “All of us were just holding it and hugging each other. I didn’t know what was going on around me. It was an awesome win.”

The Pinnacles team consists of Maddy Greig, Jessica Briker, Diana Harrison, Nicolle Fraser, Kim Conway, Carly Levinsky, Haley Burns, Sara Miller, Erin Finlay, Holly Bidlake, Dru Yates,  Amy Buzikievich, Katie Filek, Jana Yates, Willow Finlay, Kelsey Rufiange, Mary Kampman, Casey Conway, Mila Miller, Katrina Dittmann, Christina Young, Nina Bennitt, Shay Cheeseman, Kaitlyn Atkinson, Katie Anderson, Tanya Gaveries, Caitlin Nyhus, Angie Smythe and coaches Ray Hintz and Pat Conway.

Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Division champion Penticton Pinnacles proudly surround the Challenge Cup.