In three years of scoring goals for the Eden Spas/Geotech men's soccer team, John Bitner had never ended a playoff season with a victory.
The 31-year-old striker ended that drought Sunday afternoon in the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League's 30-and-older division final. Bitner followed his finishing instincts and with 27 minutes gone deflected a crossing feed from teammate Tien Mueller for the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Queensway Auto World.
"We had a rough season with lots of ups and downs but we had a good streak at the end and finished strong ," said Bitner. "I was just in the right place at the right time and slotted it into the corner. Tien yelled for me right where to be and we connected. It was good, but we had to hold them off the whole game and Ryan came up big all day. He's done that all season."
Ryan Beer was flawless in net for Eden Spas/Geotech and guessed right when he dove to block a penalty shot with 10 minutes left.
Bitner scored two goals a week ago in a 3-0 semifinal win over Team Powerhouse.
In the 45-and-older division final, Brent Murray broke a one-goal deadlock with two minutes left to lift Subway to a 2-1 win over the Caledonians. Mark Yawney had the other Subway goal, while Kenny Won replied for the Caledonians.
