Commentary | East Manatee Admirals hockey team ices Florida competition, to represent state at USA Nationals
Fresh off capturing the Lightning Cup in wire-to-wire fashion, the East Manatee Admirals claimed the SAHOF State Tier II championship this past weekend with little trouble against Miami East Side.
Tier II is the combined high school division.
The Admirals blasted the Mutts in two consecutive victories to claim the best-of-three series.
East Manatee won Game 1, 10-1, behind Lakewood Ranch's David Tmej (hat trick) and Palmetto's Ian Deckard (two points). Goaltender Dominick Tmej was credited with 18 saves.
In Game 2, the sweep was completed with an 8-1 victory. Lakewood Ranch's Rhett Rampinelli registered a hat trick. David Tmej and Manatee's Christopher Boehm added two goals apiece.
Dominick Tmej saved 20 shots.
On defense, the senior group of Bradenton's Zach McCoy, Bradenton's Brett Wessel, Bradenton's Charlie Schukay, Lakewood Ranch's Sean Hanlon and Palmetto's Chase Bafia were credited with shutting down the Mutts' attack.
The championship performance means the club will represent Florida at the USA Hockey National tournament in St. Louis on March 19.
Other roster members include: Bradenton's Nicholas Barbieri, Bradenton's Tucker Barone, Ellenton's Justen Bernthal, Palmetto's Foster Burroughs,
Sarasota's Bradley Cook, Sarasota's Michael Corleto, Parrish's Andy Gonzales, Lakewood Ranch's Patrick Kenefick, Bradenton's Shane Lynch, Parrish's Tanner Melichar, Lakewood Ranch's Peter Morgan, Bradenton's Harrison Sirkis, Palmetto's Lane Skon, Parrish's Nicholas Walters, Bradenton's Cade Wessel and Palmetto's Nevada Woodring.
Soaring to Phoenix
One of Braden River Soccer Club's players is heading to Phoenix for the 2015 U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Championships as part of the Florida 99 team.
Sarah Mattson, who hails from North Port, is representing Braden River Soccer Club as one of 18 girls on the Region III champion Florida side competing this weekend.
The tournament starts Friday, and the Florida U-17 team plays Southern California at 3 p.m. The winner will face the winner of Western New York and Illinois in Sunday's championship at 8:30 a.m. The event also features a U-17 boys division and U-18 boys and girls divisions, respectively.
Mattson, a Venice High sophomore, has played her club soccer under Manatee High head coach George Ameres.
"Sarah has been a great addition to our team," said Ameres in a news release. "Her explosive speed, technical ability and knowledge of the game are some of the contributions she brings to the team. She also helped lead our club team to a Top Five ranking in the state of Florida, many tournament wins and back-to-back Final Four State Cups."
Opening Day nears
Braden River Little League is holding its 2015 Opening Day on Saturday at Braden River Park, which is located behind the Florida Highway Patrol station on State Road 70.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m.
A kids zone wristband is $5 and the festivities include music, food, slides, bounce houses, games, public safety displays and face painting.
Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017 or via email at jdill@bradenton.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason__Dill or on his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.
This story was originally published February 24, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Commentary | East Manatee Admirals hockey team ices Florida competition, to represent state at USA Nationals ."