The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 17 No. 34 - June 7, 2017

sports

Shootout at The Center: Truly Nolen takes the championship post-regulation play

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

monica simpson | SUN

Coached by Rick Hurst, Team Truly Nolen won the 8- to
10-year-old soccer league championship in an exciting shoot out.

 

 

The youth soccer season finally came to an end last week at the Island's community center, with a third place challenge between Slim's Place and Wash Family Construction in the eight- to 10-year-old league, and the championship game between Truly Nolen and Progressive Cabinetry.

Team Slim's Place took the third place honors with four goals by Gregory Jordan and two by teammate Aiden Templeton. Keeping the game close, Riley Lawson and Jason McGee put the ball in the net ending the game the score 6-3.

The consolation game was a warm up for the crowd, that was treated to the game of the week, which was a real nail biter. Both teams in the championship round were evenly matched, and both teams came off the benches ready to fight for the victory.

In the blazing heat, Jackson Pakbaz came out of the gate to score the first of his four goals in the game, putting Progressive Cabinetry on the scoreboard quick. Truly Nolen's Lincoln Sauls tied up the game with 16 minutes left in the first half of play.

In the season, William Pakbaz and Ava Baugh supported their team where needed, leading up to the final game of the season.

Victor Albrecht protected his goal for Truly Nolen and was awarded four saves in the game. Progressive Cabinetry's Kieran Cloutier showed his field prowess by winning critical 50/50 shots for his team.

Pakbaz slid by the Truly Nolen defense and took a shot against Albrecht, who just could not make the stop, putting his team up 2-1. Albrecht saved the following shot by Cloutier, giving the ball back to Truly Nolen.

Offensive powerhouse Jack Mattick took his first shot only to meet the defensive strength of Ewen Cloutier, Madeline Lessig and Fiona McCarthy for Progressive Cabinetry.

Truly Nolen showed its own defensive ability as Progressive Cabinetry made a run to the goal. Tori Hurst cleared the ball for her team, giving it a chance to score. Chris Ueltschi scored his first goal of the game, tying up the final game of the season.

Ueltschi came back strong on defense, along with Liam Coleman, denying Pakbaz another goal shot. Left wide open, Pakbaz got his third goal of the game to end the scoring in the first half of the game.

Down by a goal, Truly Nolen started the next 20 minutes of regulation play with an attack shot by Nick Yatros. After a clear out of bounds, Yatros took the throw in and following shot attempt only to have the goal saved by Charlie Rogers, who played goalkeeper for Progressive Cabinetry.

Dynamo Jack McCarthy moved the soccer ball down the field with control only to meet Mattick near the goal. Mattick eluded defenders left and right, never quitting and ending his run with a score after eight minutes of play.

Tied up once more, Lily Stringer made a critical defensive clear for Progressive Cabinetry. Taking the corner kick, Mattick got the ball to the feet of a teammate. The shot hit the post after a long kick by Yatros.

Rogers' save of the shot by Mattick gave Pakbaz his chance with Yatros and Lily Kawahata putting on the pressure. Albrecht read the play well, saving another shot hitting the ball out of bounds.

The corner kick by Pakbaz was stopped by the relentless Truly Nolen defense. Mattick made another offensive run before being called for a handball. K. Cloutier took the free kick, but Mattick won the ball back for his team.

Shots by Sauls and long throw-ins by Yatros could not get the ball in the goal against Progressive Cabinetry. With players on the sidelines filled with anxiety and parents, friends and family biting their nails, using their energy to will the ball into the goal, the regular play came down to the final goals by Pakbaz and Mattick, which tied the ballgame after 40 minutes of play 4-4.

The minutes that followed were just as exciting as the many prior. The thrill of a kick off and the strategy that went behind each coach selecting the five players from each team to perfectly place the ball past the goalie ensued.

Leading off for Progressive Cabinetry was Pakbaz, who had a picture perfect kick, placing the ball in the lower right corner. Truly Nolen's Ueltschi took the next shot and placed it right over the reach of the goalie. Rogers and Yatros both made their shots, leaving the championship in a deadlock.

K. Cloutier and Rylan Guerrero both missed the next shots for their teams leaving it to the last two players on the kick off lineup. McCarthy's shot was saved, giving Truly Nolen a glimmer of hope to end the game in its favor.

Mattick took his place on the field and precisely placed the ball in the lower left corner, sealing up the championship for Truly Nolen.

Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, May 30

Youth Soccer: 8- to 10-Year-Old League Third Place Game

#3 Slim's Place 6
#4 Wash Family Construction 3

Youth Soccer: 8- to 10-Year-Old League Championship Game

#2 Progressive Cabinetry 4

#1 Truly Nolen (win by Shoot Out) 4

Wednesday, May 31

Youth Soccer: 11- to 14-Year-Old League

Signarama 5
Salty Printing 3

Thursday, June 1

Adult Co-Ed Soccer

#4 Lancaster Design 2
#2 Slim's Place 4

#3 Anna Maria CrossFit 4
#7 Mulock Flynn Law 7

#5 Acqua Aveda 6
#6 Ross Built Construction 2

#1 Sato Real Estate 6
#8 Moss Builders 3


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