Youth soccer champs named at The Center

After a long-awaited season start, another group of youth soccer champions was crowned at The Center last Tuesday night, as the fall co-ed soccer season came to an end.

Finishing with a cookout and awards, team Progressive Cabinetry and team Gulf Drive Café each won the last game of the season to earn top of the league honors for their age group.

Seasoned veteran of the youth soccer scene on the Island, Jack McCarthy, scored both goals for Progressive Cabinetry in the 8- to 10-year-old league.

In the single goal championship game, Gulf Drive Café was named the 11- to 14-year-old youth soccer champions at The Center. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Throughout the season, McCarthy played alongside competitive teammates, including goalkeeper Jack Zaccagnino, who had seven recorded saves in the game. Zaccagnino, also a long-time Island player, was joined by his brother, Jesse, Cale Rudacille, Camden Rudacille, Brooklyn Melancon, Jackson Kennedy, Victoria Perry and Malia Keith.

Growing up playing at The Center, all of these young players grew their talents thanks to their volunteer coaches, Scott Rudacille and Steven Perry.

The selfless volunteer coaches in the youth soccer league worked hard all year to keep their players active on the field, taught them new skills, reinforced the basics, and made sure they had fun. Coach Rudacille and Coach Perry accomplished this all while winning the championship.

Despite the loss, the Beach Bums team had a great season, finishing with the same regular season as Progressive, 3-1-1. Beach Bums came up just short despite wonderful play at the net by keeper Ryan Cyrus with five saves in the game.

In the five-game regular season, the Beach Bums team fought hard and put victories on the scoreboard with their talented squad. Julie Baugher, Jasmine Sparks and Lexi Baugher made solid plays for their teams and proved why co-ed youth soccer can be so exciting to play and watch.

Rounding out the Beach Bums soccer family were Tomas Bartos, Hayden Eurice, Collin Bankert, Jackson Rosas, and Oliver Tirpak, each making the fall soccer season a memorable one.

Gulf Drive Café won the single goal game against Tidy MD Cleaning in the 11- to 14-year-old league championship match. In the goal to help his team with the win was Evan Talucci with seven saves in the game.

Talucci’s Tidy counterpart, Emma Raulerson, had five saves to be proud of.

Tommy Baugher scored the lone goal for Gulf Drive Cafe while being coached by his dad, Tom Baugher, and playing alongside his sister, Eve. Dennis Gallager, Carter Eurice, Aidan Gannon and Katelyn Cecil made their critical contributions during the season to get the team to the championship game.

Gulf Drive player Ava Harlan gave it her all with father/coach Gary Harlan helping to further the development of the young Island players.

On the other end of the coin, Tidy MD Cleaning was the slight favorite in the game due to their 3-1-1 record and their roster. Victor Albrecht, usually in goal, helped take his team to the big game.

Frankie Coleman, Caden Quinby, Angelina Albrecht, Jaden Sparks and Cala Ryan rounded out the Tidy MD squad that filled the season with soccer action at The Center’s pitch.

Each of the teams gave it their all, but there could only be two champions last Tuesday night.

Win, lose or draw, all of the players are winners by just getting on the field, playing soccer, being with friends, and living a normal life on the Island with youth co-ed sports.