Teams Planet Stone and Bins Be Clean win it all in The Center of Anna Maria Island’s fall youth soccer league championship game.
The top seeds in both of the youth soccer leagues finished on top, capturing the championship Wednesday night at the Island’s community center. After a close semi-final game, Ugly Grouper won its spot in the final game against Planet Stone in the 8- to 10-year-old league. Team Planet Stone took the big win and championship medals.
Wash Family Construction dominated Slim’s Place in the 11- to 13-year-old semi-final match-up, only to struggle against the first place Bins Be Clean team in the final game of the night.
Starting the game off with 12 minutes on the scoreboard, Evan Talucci played solid in the net, protecting his end of the field as the goalkeeper for Bins Be Clean.
Talucci’s teammate Jackson Mattick took the first shot after two minutes of play. Mattick’s shot hit the bottom of the crossbar only to hit straight down to the ground in front of the goal line.
With a second chance, Mattick hit his next shot, putting Bins Be Clean ahead 1-0.
Cash Carter kicked the soccer ball for a strong defensive clearing the full length of the field for Bins Be Clean.
Five minutes into the game, JM Feeney hustled to the sideline to keep the ball in bounds, giving his team, Wash Family Construction, a corner kick. Bins Be Clean made a nice defensive stop keeping Wash Family from scoring.
Minutes later a shot by Jeremiah Sculco was stopped by Talucci. The corner kick found the ball at the feet of Angelina Albrecht, who attempted her first shot of the game.
Just out of the reach of goalie Victor Albrecht, Jackson Pakbaz hit the net with four minutes left in the half, giving Bins Be Clean a two-point lead.
Bins Be Clean’s Sam Leister held strong defensively against Wash Family Construction’s Riley Lawson, preventing a shot before halftime.
Into the second half of the 11-to 13-year old championship game, Carter took a shot for Bins Be Clean, while teammate Nicholas Yatros played tough defense against Wash Family Construction’s veteran player Aiden Templeton.
Kirin Malisoff and Kylie Barkley played strong defense for Bins Be Clean, helping their team to another victory.
Yatros stopped Templeton’s fast break, forcing him to pass the ball. V. Albrecht followed with a great defensive play of his own with a remarkable save on a Bins Be Clean shot.
Scoring the third goal for Bins Be Clean, Yatros put himself in the perfect scoring position with only a couple of minutes left on the game clock.
Despite a strong effort by Wash Family Construction, the team just could not get the soccer ball between the posts, resulting in the big win for Bins Be Clean.
The night also spotlighted 10 players who caught the attention of the coaches this season. In the instructional six-to 7-year-old league, Nixon Conner and Maggie Sue Niedzwick were named the Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player, respectively.
With their game developing and skills strengthening the battle for awards gets tougher with each season in the 8- to 10-year-old league. Taking the MVP kudos was Ugly Grouper’s Maximus Manapat and Savanna Coba.
Planet Stone’s Jack Whiteside was recognized as the league’s Defensive MVP, while teammate Julia Baugher was named Most Improved. Cale Rudacille, goalkeeper for Ugly Grouper, took home the title of Goalie of the Year.
Bins Be Clean’s goalie Evan Talucci won the top honors for his position as the Goalie of the Year. Cash Carter joined his teammate with the Most Valuable Player honors.
Wash Family Constructions girl powerhouse Angelina Albrecht was recognized for her skills as the Female MVP.
Teammates Kieran Clouter and Caden Quinby both were acknowledged for their strong play during the season as the Defensive MVP and Most Improved recipients.
Ending the season with great games and awards, Slim’s Place sponsored and provided the food for the night in traditional cookout style making for the perfect night of soccer, friends and family.
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