North Okanagan United finished the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games Friday with a 3-0 win over Australia’s Boston Pizza Pizzaz.

United, who are coached by Bruce Townsend, went 2-4 in women’s soccer.

“The ladies played really well in every game and without a couple suspect decisions it could have been a different outcome,” said Townsend, who was a major hit in the Bavarian gardens.

“The games against Calgary and the Aussies were very physical, hard-hitting aggressive style of soccer and I’m proud of the way they played.”

Speedy forwards Edeen Ramsey, Shelly Johnston, and Lena Dean handled the United offence against Boston Pizza. Wendy Stevens supplied an all-world pass to set up Ramsey, who placed third in her 50m freestyle swim heat, narrowly missing the final.

Consistent and reliable play in every game came from Jan Townsend, Pat Nielson, Shelley Henry, and Kelly Megyesi, and a solid effort was turned in by an injured Karen Semph.

Earlier in pool play, United bowed 4-2 to the Bronzed Aussies.

“Leanne Robertson stepped up to the plate and handled herself very well in net,” said Townsend. “One of the Aussie goals came when a player pushed Leanne into the net.”

NOU’s goal scorers were Darlene Wiese, who left her keeper duties behind to play striker and scored in a goal-mouth scramble, and Andrea Zubot on a pass from midfielder Shelley Zupp, who carried the ball up the wing and crossed to Zubot.

Meanwhile, Vernon’s John Nielson, a level 4 volleyball coach, earned a silver medal as coach of a 30+ (Team V) women’s volleyball team.

Neilson (Pat’s husband) was picked up to coach a collection of players which included one Canadian, six Aussies and three Brazilians.

Team V went 7-1 in the round-robin before losing 3-1 in the gold-medal match. Nielson was impressed with the high level of play in Masters competition, which included numerous former national team players.

J.C. Colvin (Zupp’s husband), playing with an Australian team (Blacktown Warriors), won gold. Tammy Jones was scheduled to run in the half marathon today.

Soccer has the biggest contingency of the 29,000 athletes registered at the Games. The next World Masters Games are in Torino, Italy, in 2013.