The Center teens heat up the pitch

Spirit Day, a long-standing and beloved tradition, made way for Saturday Soccer Spooktacular at The Center Saturday. What used to be the season kick-off weekend, with team colors and team spirit filling the fields, sidelines and stands in short fun filled scrimmages to ignite the excitement for the season, made way for a mid-season day of soccer fun and competition and Halloween spirit.

In the last games of the afternoon, the oldest players in The Center’s youth co-ed soccer league faced off. The difference in size, strength and skill between the 11 year olds and the 14 year olds is clear, but as a group they come together and combine their efforts to become a team for eight regular season games. After playing their fourth games Saturday, it is clear that each of these teams is capable of taking home a victory.

Veteran youth soccer coach Darrin Wash has worked with his team, Team Tyler’s Ice Cream, for several weeks, taking them from a group of kids with heart and natural talent to a team that can stay in the game with the best in the league. Wash does not have a kid on the team. He just has a love of the sport, a love of the community center where he raised his kids and a willingness to give of himself.

Team Planet Stone, lead by eighth graders Nicholas Cavalluz, who plays for the Manatee Magic, and the coach’s son, Chris Snyder, dominated the field against Wash’s team during their first encounter leading to a blow out game and loss for Tyler’s Ice Cream. On Saturday, Planet Stone won, but the outcome was much different.

Tyler Brewer, Tyler’s Ice Cream’s eighth grade main scorer struck hard and fast within the first 90 seconds of the game putting up the first point of the game. Then minutes later, Cavalluzzi tied the ballgame 1-1 with a goal of his own.

With Snyder in goal, defensive specialist Jack Barnes found himself on both sides of the field. Barnes and Cavalluzzi play together on the Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School middle school soccer team.

Growing his team, Coach Wash has stressed the strength of his female players, and it showed on Saturday. After a perfect pass by Josie Alderson, Brewer was able to get the ball to his feet and find a hole that goalie Snyder just could not fill.

With the score 2-1, Planet Stone took advantage of a missed pass by Reese Riley giving Cavalluzzi another scoring opportunity, taking the score to 2-2 into the second half of play.

What seemed to be a mirror image of the first half, Cavalluzzi scored quickly giving Team Planet Stone the go ahead goal. Tyler’s Ice Cream’s Brewer came out of the gates strong, beating defender Bryce Higgins to score his third goal of the game within the first five minutes of play.

Out of the goal, Snyder paired with Cavalluzzi to present a stronger offense. Cavalluzzi worked around the Tyler’s Ice Cream defense to score against goalkeeper Thomas Heckler. In an uncharacteristic mistake, Heckler let the soccer ball roll through his hands moving the score to 3-4.

Snyder and Heckler provide their soccer talents to the King Middle School soccer team when they are not playing at the Island’s community center.

Team Planet Stone’s Michael Pears provided field support defensively, while Kiera Johnston saw offensive action in the second half of play.

Throughout the game Tyler’s Ice Cream showed improvement as a team. Travis Bates found his stride on the field, playing both offense and defense.

With the lead, Cavalluzzi put the final goal of the game in the net, sealing the win for his team.

The final score of 3-5 shows a marked difference between the Tyler’s Ice Cream team that played Team Planet Stone just weeks before. The strong pressure of the Tyler’s Ice Cream defense, led by Ava Alderson, helped to keep the team in the game the entire 30 minutes of play.

The growing confidence of Wash’s team was evident during their second game of the afternoon against Progressive Cabinetry, which ended in a tie 3-3. Wash was able to get Brewer to pass the ball to his teammates, giving scoring opportunities to the J. Alderson and Riley. Brewer provided the third goal for his team. Progressive Cabinetry held its own with goals by Nick DeWitt and David Daigle.

Regular season games end a tied score with no shootout. It was clear though that the winner of the weekend was Team Tyler’s Ice Cream both on the scoreboard and in its ability to play well as a team.

Sun Scoreboard
Monday, Oct. 24

Youth Soccer: 6-to 7-Year-Old League

Bin There Dumped That 2
Blalock Walters 1

Signarama 3
Air & Energy 2

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

Progressive Cabinetry 4
Planet Stone 3

Tuesday, Oct. 25

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

Bins Be Clean 2
Mason Martin Builders 1

Gulf Bay Realty 5
Cloud Pest Control 3

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

Progressive Cabinetry 8
Tyler’s Ice Cream 4

Adult Basketball

Harry’s Grill 80
Blake Medical 40

Beach To Bay 62
Mike Walter & Associates 58

Thursday, Oct. 27

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football – Semi-Final Playoffs

#5 Tyler’s Ice Cream 18
#1 Progressive Cabinetry 28

#2 Mason Martin 25
#6 Moss Builders 21

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football – Final

#1 Progressive Cabinetry 40
#2 Mason Martin 31