Youth soccer at The Center kicks off another season

ANNA MARIA – With the start of another school year, The Center of Anna Maria Island’s pitch fills with the sounds of soccer every Tuesday night. Island area youth gathered last Tuesday night for the first games of the season.

After one game, team Beach Bums claimed a victory along with Shady Lady and Moss Builders in the 8- to 10-year-old soccer league. The tween and teen winners include Blalock Walters and Miz & Hiz Biz.

Youth soccer at The Center kicks off another season — Tidy MD’s Kirra Quinby puts the pressure on Beach Bums’ Brandon Sato last Tuesday night to start another youth soccer season at The Center. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Tidy MD’s coach, John Coleman, borrowed players from other teams to make the matchup against Beach Bums possible for the first game of the night. In the exciting season opener, The Center’s statistics have Riley Karecki, Kirra Quinby and Nolyn Fetzer with one goal each.

Winning by two points, the Beach Bums squad earned the victory with eight saves by Elijah Brannock in goal. On offense, veteran player Dylan Sato had a hat trick scoring three goals. Younger brother Brandon Sato and Turner Worth each had solo goals.

With the Sato brother’s dad, Jason Sato, and uncle, Josh Sato, volunteer coaching on the sidelines, the win put the team in good company with the other undefeated teams going into week two.

This season’s shorter regular season schedule has the playoff and championship games ending before Halloween, with the final games on Tuesday, Oct. 26.