Sato Real Estate on top again

ANNA MARIA – Two weeks into fall, Thursday nights came alive once again for another adult co-ed soccer season at The Center. In an updated shade of purple jersey, the familiar face of team Sato Real Estate, Josh Sato, took to the field with brother Ben.

To look at the Sato Real Estate roster on paper, the team appeared to be solid with some unfamiliar names. Watching the 10-man squad on the field, even without powerhouse Will Kretzmann, it is clear Sato Real Estate is the team to beat.

Sato Real Estate easily beat the Sandbar team on the hottest day of the week. To their credit, Sandbar played with nobody on the bench.

Starting the scoring in the first game of the season was Shawn Markham for Sato Real Estate.

Keeping goalkeeper Steve Oelfke busy all night, the Sato offense made shots against Sandbar defenders or had wide-open shots. At the five-minute mark, Oelfke made a great stop, keeping the score at 1-0.

The game continued with great action on both sides of midfield despite no goals by either team. With 11 minutes on the clock for the first half of play, Hugo Santos connected with the soccer ball for Sato Real Estate’s second goal.

Up by two points and less than six minutes later, J. Sato was left alone with a direct shot to the goal. The near-guaranteed goal put the score to 3-0.

Once again joining the Sato Real Estate team, Amy Ivin was just getting warmed up when her shot hit the far post, only to be followed up by teammate Greg Ross, whose shot hit the same post.

Not to be denied too long, Sato Real Estate’s Thomas Mangotic scored the fourth goal for his team and of the night.

Returning to the Island’s recreational league, Sandbar’s Teddy Louloudes scored the team’s first goal with authority. After several changes of possession, the game went into halftime with the score 4-1. Just a couple of minutes into the second half, Sandbar’s keeper made another impressive stop. Ivin quickly took advantage following with a goal.

Four points ahead, the Sandbar team did not give up. The tired but determined team worked hard, as the heat and no substitute players started to take a toll.

Trying to keep the team in the game, Tim Holly scored Sandbar’s second goal with nine minutes left on the clock, advancing the score to 5-2.

Santos found himself in scoring position, with Oelfke on the ground, giving Sato Real Estate a four-point lead. Oelfke ended the game with 13 saves in the game.

With one minute left on the scoreboard clock, Sato Real Estate put the final nail in the game, pushing the final score to 7-2.