Blalock Walters lays down the law

After graduating from the small instructional soccer field at The Center with base skills and experience under their shin guards, the youth of the Island move their game to the bigger field with each goal tallied and scores listed in The Sun scoreboard. Last Monday night, Team Blalock Walters went head-to-head with Team Air & Energy. With volunteer coaches Steve Perry and David Greene on the field guiding and cheering his players, the six and seven year old soccer players showed their love of the game and time on the field.

Early in the game, it was clear that the two teams were evenly matched. Ethan Guerrero, strong leg for Blalock Walters, and Jack McCarthy, key talent for Air & Energy, brought the games score to 1-1. As the game progressed and each player found his/her footing on the field, Guerrero took the soccer ball past mid-field to once again find the net pushing Blalock Walters ahead 2-1.

The defense of Team Air & Energy challenged the offensive attacks of its opponents. After strong defensive play by Caroline Wettstein and ViVi Duprey, Guerrero made his way to the goal once again widening the scoring gap for his team.

Guerrero ran around the defenders, with the help of his teammates, to strike quick and strike hard. McCarthy was awarded the save after the ball ricocheted off right post.

With the score 3-1, Team Air & Energy's Charlie Rogers took a corner kick for his team. The soccer ball was deflected by the goalie William Pakbaz, but bounced into the net for a goal, bringing the score closer at 3-2.

Pakbaz followed up the unlucky scoring bounce with a great save on the next offensive pursuit by Air & Energy. With GiGi Greene in the goal, McCarthy played strong defense for Team Air & Energy hoping to give his team another chance on offense.

As the clock ticked off the remaining minutes and seconds of the game, the Island area kiddos played their hearts out, learning from their coaches, hearing the cheers of their fans on the sideline and having fun at the island's community center – their home away from home.

Sun Scoreboard

Monday, Oct. 31

Youth Soccer: 6-to 7-Year-Old

Signarama 0
Bin There Dumped That 1

Blalock Walters 3
Air & Energy 2

Youth Soccer: 11-to 14-Year-Old

Progressive Cabinetry 3
Tyler's Ice Cream 3

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Youth Soccer: 8-to 10-Year-Old

Bin There Dumped That 3
Cloud Pest Control 0

Mason Martin Builders 5
Gulf Bay Realty 3

Youth Soccer: 11-to 14-Year-Old

Progressive Cabinetry 6
Planet Stone 2

Adult Basketball

Harry's Grill 64
Intechgrate Systems 48

Beach To Bay 81
Blake Medical 19

Thursday, Nov. 3

Adult Co-Ed Soccer

Anna Maria CrossFit 7
Slim's Place 0

Eason Builders Group 9
Acqua Aveda 5

Mason Martin 5
Wash Family Construction 2

Ross Built Construction 7
Jiffy Lube 1

Friday, Nov. 4

Youth Soccer: 11-to 14-Year-Old

Tyler's Ice Cream 0
Planet Stone 3