Sato Real Estate lights up the pitch

Under a dark rainy sky, the adult soccer players took the field to play the last games of the regular season. The first game of the night saw Nick, Ben and Josh Sato playing for Team Island Pest Control go up against oldest brother Jason Sato, representing the family business Sato Real Estate.

Captained by Nick Sato, Lexi Braxton supported Island Pest Control’s offense. Jason Sato played goalie for Sato Real Estate, while B. Sato protected the goal for Island Pest Control through the entire first half of the game. After the back and forth defense battle, the first half ended with seven saves for Jason Sato, and assists by Drew Mitchell, Cory Wash and Chelsea Hoffner for Sato Real Estate. Scoring for the team was Mitchell and Sean Flynn, as well as two goals for BJ Grant.

Island Pest Control ended the first 25 minutes of play with four saves by B. Sato and a goal by Jhon Zamora and Adam Mott. The half ended with the score of 4-2.

The rain continued to come down and with 1’45” on the clock in the second half, the field went dark and play was stopped. After a 15 minute game delay, both teams returned to battle.

In a matter of minutes, Island Pest Control put another score on the board with a goal by Oliver Petereit, closing the gap on Sato Real Estate taking the score to 4-3.

Team Captain Kris Yavalar played strong defensively along with dominant field presence by Matt Kretzman for Sato Real Estate. Despite several attempts by Island Pest Control to make an offensive charge, the team could not score again for their team. Deep into the second half, an own goal was scored by Island Pest Control after the ball ricocheted into the goal, increasing Sato Real Estate’s lead to 5-3.

Island Pest Control put Matt Jeronimo in as goalkeeper as B. Sato found his footing on the field.

The teams battled to the last second of play. With the field wet, Josh Sato and Sean Flynn were both given a yellow card for slide tackling, which is not permitted at the Center. With seconds left in the game, Yavalar threw the ball into Grant. B. Sato stole the ball, but Yavalar quickly won the ball back and got it to Grant. Grant passed down the line to Mitchell, who hit Yavalar near the goal. Just before the final whistle, Yavalar drilled the ball to Hoffner who scored the last goal of the game.

The win, with the score 6-3, solidly put Team Sato Real Estate at the top of the leader board going into the single elimination playoffs. The first round of the playoffs match #7 seed Beach to Bay against #3 seed Progressive Cabinetry at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. The 7 p.m. game pairs off #6 seed Mason Martin versus #2 seed Island Pest Control. Island Time, the #8 seed team, plays the regular season winners Sato Real Estate. The battle of the mids is at 9 p.m. with #4 seed Ross Built and #5 seed Slim’s Place battle for a second round playoff opportunity.

In other Center sports, the adult basketball championship game with #1 seed LaPensee Plumbing and Pools against #2 seed Gator Squad will be played on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m.

The Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, Nov. 17, Adult Basketball

#2 Gator Squad 57
#3 West Coast A/C & Heating 45

#4 Miller Electric 50
#1 LaPensee Plumbing and Pools 85

Thursday, Nov. 19, Adult Soccer

#1 Sato Real Estate 6 (7-0-1)
#2 Island Pest Control 3 (6-2)

#6 Mason Martin 4 (2-5-1)
#7 Beach to Bay 11 (3-5)

#8 Island Time L (0-7-1)
#4 Ross Built Construction W (4-3-1)
(due to forfeit)

#5 Slim’s Place L (3-4-1)
#3 Progressive Cabinetry W (4-3-1)
(due to forfeit)