SPORTS

from Anna Maria Island Sun March 31, 2021

by Anna Maria Island Sun

CALENDAR

28 THE SUN SPORTS MARCH 31, 2021

Sato Real Estate captures soccer crown again

BY MONICA SIMPSON

SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Yes, they did it again. Team Sato Real Estate was crowned the winter adult co-ed soccer champions, giving team captain Josh Sato his second big win since the inception of the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup.

Same captain, different squad, same dominance on the field. After weeks of regular season play, finishing in second place, Sato Real Estate won the championship game 4-3 in overtime against the solid team sponsored by Blalock Walters.

Finishing the regular season in fifth place, Blalock gave a strong showing in the championship game.

The firepower of Chris Scott, Nick Bouchard and Matt Staggs, each with a single goal in the game, just was not enough last Wednesday night at The Center.

Sato Real Estate’s goalkeeper, Mark Rudacille, made six critical saves for his team. Meanwhile, the Blalock Walters’ goalie, Kevin Mulcahy, was kept on his toes making 13 stops.

In the win, Amy Ivin once again made her presence known on the field, scoring two goals. Adding to Ivin’s points, Will Kretzmann got two shots past Mulcahy to help clinch the victory for Sato Real Estate.

FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

After winning the make-up adult flag football semifinal game against MiBox, top-ranked Ugly Grouper faced the fresh Beach Bums team, who finished second in the regular season.

In another close final game at the Island’s community center, Beach Bums beat Ugly Grouper 31-27 to win the adult co-ed flag football championship.

A pick-six by Beach Bums' Anthony Mannino added to his scoring in the game. Mannino also had a rushing touchdown and a catch for another six points, arguably making him the game’s MVP.

On the other side of the field, despite the loss, the team captain of Ugly Grouper, Brandon Kull, also had an interception and three receiving TDs along with two sacks. Had his squad pulled out the win, Kull would be getting game MVP credentials.

Ugly Grouper’s Jaret Rojas found the hot hands of Kull, putting four scoring throws in the record books.

Ruben Young and Lucas Paquin each had a touchdown catch from quarterback Matt Briley in Beach Bums' win over the top-ranked team, giving them champion status going into the next season.

SUN SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP GAME #2 Sato Real Estate 4 (OT) #5 Blalock Walters 3

THURSDAY, MARCH 25 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME #2 Beach Bums #1 Ugly Grouper 31 27

THE CENTER | SUBMITTED Sato Real Estate wins the Hayward Cup against Blalock Walters. Pictured left to right: Ryan Hogan, Will Kretzmann, Mark Rudacille, Amy Ivin, Josh Sato, Hakan Toka, Race Aranda, David Noval, and Damir Glavan.