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THE SUN
SPORTS
JUNE 2, 2021
Players show parents how it’s done on the pitch BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA MARIA - Youth soccer at The Center starts with preschoolers and parent-coached clinics, moving into competitive recreational games with the 8- to 10-year-old league. Despite the demise of the traditional Seven Up soccer game, due to a downturn in elementary-school-aged Island athletes, the Parent-Player endof-the-season game is a custom that made its way to this season’s schedule. From the youngest player to those about to move to the big field, the clinic participants showed what they learned this season, playing against their coaches and parents. The basic skills learned on the littlest pitches at the Island’s community center developed into advanced skills on the larger clinic fields. The throw-ins were stronger. The goal kicks went farther. The shots on goal were more accurate. The saves were amazing. Playing against the adults brought smiles to everyone’s faces and reminded everyone why community center soccer has arguably been the most popular sport for two decades. More than a decade later, adult co-ed soccer is still going and growing at The Center. After six weeks of play, there was no movement in the rankings. At the top of the leader board, C.A.B.B.’s success is in part due to Timo Vecchio, one of the season’s top scorers. Goalkeeper Connor Haughey, with 48 saves going into the seventh and final
week of the regular season, has been instrumental in the team’s wins. C.A.B.B. faces #3 Flynn Law in the 7 p.m. matchup Thursday, June 3. Playoffs start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 10.
SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 25 YOUTH CO-ED SOCCER SEMIFINAL GAMES 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE #3 Bridge Tender #2 Tidy MD
1 0
#5 Beach Bums #1 Shady Lady
3 2
11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE SEMIFINAL GAMES
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
#2 AM Bath Time #3 Grooms Auto
5 2
#1 Blalock Walters #5 HSH
2 0
THURSDAY, MAY 27 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK 6 #1 C.A.B.B. #8 Sato Real Estate
(5-0-1) 3 (1-5-0) 1
#6 Salty Printing #5 Killer Bait
(1-5-0) 2 (2-3-1) 4
#7 Sandbar #2 Beach Bums
(1-5-0) 4 (5-0-1) 6
#4 Slim’s Place #3 Flynn Law
(2-2-2) 5 (4-1-1) 5
Youth soccer is heating up at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
Goalie Paul ten Haaf springs into action.
