Soccer makes the Center cheer

Last week, the fast paced summer sport of indoor soccer started play at the Anna Maria Island Community Center for the area youth. Twelve teams, four age groups, and nearly 100 kids are transforming the Center gymnasium into an indoor soccer arena for seven weeks of action.

Meanwhile, the surviving four adult soccer teams played the semi-final match ups Thursday night, taking one step closer to the championship game on Thursday, July 16. In the first game of the week, #2 seed Sato Real Estate Team powwowder faced #3 seed LaPensee Team Lion. After a close first half, Sato Real Estate overtook LaPensee with a final score of 8-2 to clinch the first championship seat.

The second game of the night proved to be a much closer battle. #8 seed Slim's Place team optimisticool, which defeated the #1 seed the previous week, took on #5 seed Eason Builders Team Unity. With Ray Gardner in goal for Team Unity and Will Case as the goalie for Team optimisticool, the game started with strong defensive plays and missed offensive opportunities keeping the game scoreless for most of the first half of play.

Finally, shortly after the 17th minute of the game, Max Gazzo made a powerful thrown to Eric Pullen leading to an immediate shot and the first goal of the game, taking the score to 1-0 for Slim's Place. At the 19th minute of play, Omar Polar made a valuable assist leading to the first goal of the game, making it a tied ball game for Eason Builders. Near half time, Will Kretzman fouled Pullen, giving Team optimisticool the opportunity to take the lead in the game. Pullen’s shot was stopped by Gardner ending the first half of play.

Soon after the second half whistle, Gazzo fouled Polar. With a scoring chance, Team Unity missed the free kick with a solid save by goalkeeper Case. Strong defense by Gazzo and Kretzman, as well as the other defensive players for both teams, kept the scoreboard at 1-1 until nearly the 15th minute of play in the second half. After the throw in by Josh Petitt, Sean Sanders’ smart cross-field pass to Pullen gave Slim's Place the clear opening to take the lead. Pullen continued to be on a scoring streak, putting the ball in the net taking the score to 2-1 for Team optimisticool.

As time quickly ticked off of the clock, play became increasingly more heated. PJ Smargisso was called for pulling Kretzman down onto the field. Kretzman took the penalty kick, which was stopped by Case. Emotionally charged Smargisso took a short from near mid-court that went just over the crossbar.

Slim's Place Team optimisticool sealed up the game at the 22nd minute. Sanders carried the ball down the field and took the shot on Gardner. Gardner was not able to make the save. The final second of the game ended with the score 3-1, advancing Team optimisticool to the championship game Thursday night at 8 p.m.

The Sun Scoreboard

Monday, July 6

11-to 13-Year-Old Indoor Soccer

Bark & Company Realty 9
Sugar Beach Digital 6

14-to 17-Year-Old Indoor Soccer

Salty Printing 11
LaPensee Plumbing and Pools 

Wednesday, July 8

8-to 10-Year-Old Indoor Soccer

Signarama 5
Beach Bums 3

14-to 17-Year-Old Indoor Soccer

Salty Printing 6
Wash Family Construction 7

Thursday, July 9

Adult Soccer Semi-Finals

Sato Real Estate Team powwowder 8
Team Lion 2

Slims Place – Team optimisticool 3
Eason Builders – Team Unity 1

Friday, July 10

8-to 10-Year Old Indoor Soccer

West Coast Air Conditioning & Heating 3
Signarama 1

11-to 13 Year Old Indoor Soccer

The Feast 4
Sugar Beach Digital 9

14-to 17-Year Old Indoor Soccer

Wash Family Construction 6
Salty Printing 9