ANNA MARIA – Youth soccer on the Island celebrated its outstanding players last week. As the 8 to 10-year-old league played the first round of playoff games, the focus was on 12 standout players.
Celebrating the hard work of all of the young players, The Center held the end-of-season awards ceremony. Acknowledged for strong play, Gunnar Maize and Ruby Kesten earned the Most Valuable Player accolades for the 8 to 10-year-olds.
For defensive honors, Aidan Guess was named MVP and Kason Price was voted as the Outstanding Goalie for the season. Stepping up his game as the season went on, Most Improved accolades went Parker Svoboda.
Keeping in the spirit of Center recreational youth soccer, Carson Long deserved the Sportsmanship Award for his age group. Long’s counterpart in the 11 to 14-year-old league was Charlee Maize, recognized for his gamesmanship throughout the season.
Most Improved honors went to Renan Kesten, while Kegan McGlade captured the Defensive MVP award.
Sharing the defensive shoutouts, Jack Zaccagnino was voted Outstanding Goalie. Top player praises in the older age group went to Luke Dellenger and Cecelia Kroth, 11 to 14-year-old MVPs.
In last week’s game play, the 8 to 10-year-old league playoffs started with three games. In the end, fourth-ranked Adrian Griffin Interiors won over La Creperie, moving on to the semifinal round of action.
Team Am I Coconuts and Solid Rock Construction also advanced with their wins over team Isola Bella Italian Eatery and The Porch, respectively.
The older Solid Rock squad was edged out by The Gitt Team – KW On The Water in an overtime shoot-out during regular season 11 to 14-year-old league play.
Playing the final youth game of the week, No. 1-ranked Cheesecake Cuties blew out HSH Designs 6-1.
Adult co-ed recreational soccer semifinal action continued the exciting playoff match-ups. In the third playoff game leading to overtime PKs, fifth-ranked Gulfview Windows & Doors managed to pull out the 4-4 tie in regulation time.
Taking the line and making the shots for Gulfview were Raul Loera, Keith Mahoney, Jesus Martinez and Eric Pullen, against Slim’s Place keeper Steve Oelfke.
Striking against goalie Raul Loera and successful with their PKs for Slim’s Place were Damir Glavan, Yuri Pereira and Kris Yavalar.
During regulation time, Gulfview’s Leo Gonzalez scored two goals, with solos by Mahoney and Martinez to capture the win. William Romberger was credited with two saves, along with Loera’s two stops.
The four goals scored for Slim’s Place, putting the team into OT, were Thomas Mangotic and Glavan, each with a single, and two amazing goals by Lindsey Styka.
Gulfview’s offense kept Oelfke busy during the first 44 minutes of play. Oelfke made 12 big stops in the semifinal game.
In a big win, the young Gulf Drive Café team won their semifinal game by three goals over team Ross Built 5-2. With two goals each by Kevin Roman and Jana Whitehead, along with a single by Eliza Faillace, the Gulf Drive squad earned their spot in the final game of the season.
Credited with an assist to Whitehead’s first goal, Javier Rivera helped his team to victory. Top goalie in the league Charles “Tuna” McCracken made nine saves in the semifinal game.
On the other side of the field, keeper Max Gazzo talked to his team from the backfield and made 13 big stops off of Gulf Drive strikes.
Daniel Hampton and Andrew Ross each had a goal, keeping the Ross Built team alive and in the game.
Ross and his twin brother, Jake, have played sports at The Center since they were eligible to play as little boys. Now adults, they join their father and owner of Ross Built, Greg Ross, on the pitch.
Ross, raised on the Island, talked about the day he would be playing at The Center with his sons in the adult leagues. Together, along with their teammates, the Ross men challenged their opponents each week this season.
The two final adult teams, Gulf Drive Café and Gulfview Windows & Doors, meet up on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. on The Center pitch to play.
SUN SCOREBOARD
NOV. 7
YOUTH SOCCER – ROUND ONE PLAYOFF GAMES
8 TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE
#4 Adrian Griffin Interiors 3
#5 La Creperie 0
#3 Isola Bella Italian Eatery 2
#6 Am I Coconuts 2
winner in overtime PKs (2-0)
#2 Solid Rock Construction 5
#7 The Porch 3
11 TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE WEEK 8
#2 Solid Rock Construction (4-4-1) 3
#3 The Gitt Team
KW On The Water (3-4-2) 3
#1 Cheesecake Cuties (6-1-2) 6
#4 HSH Design (2-6-1) 1
NOV. 9
ADULT CO-ED SOCCER SEMIFINAL PLAYOFF GAMES
#5 Gulfview Windows & Doors 4 winner in overtime PKs (4-3)
#8 Slim’s Place 4
#2 Gulf Drive Café 5
#3 Ross Built Custom Homes 2
