Sidelines

+ Mustangs’ boys soccer posts shutout
The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated Charlotte 7-0 Dec. 10.

Ben Wilson recorded a hat trick to lead the way for the Mustangs. Jake Dube scored two goals. Felipe Dangond and Martin Martinez each added a goal. Nico Dangond recorded his second straight shutout.

+ ODA boys soccer blanks Imagine High
The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team defeated Imagine High School 5-0 in district action Dec. 10.
The Thunder scored all five of its goals in the first half. Mark Sulimirski scored two goals to lead the way for ODA. Will Harwell, Richard Vicek and Tyler Wenger each added a goal.

With the win, ODA improves to 7-4 (5-2). The Thunder returns to action Dec. 20 versus Sarasota Christian.

+ Lady Thunder cruise to victory
The Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer team cruised to a 9-1 victory over Imagine High School in a district contest Dec. 10.

Katie Lang powered ODA with two goals and four assists. Lexi Murphy added two goals and two assists. Sierra Dickerson scored a pair of goals. Abby Lagasse, Miller Condrack and Nicole Petron each added a goal. Natalie Chait was credited with an assist.

+ i9 Sports teams up with Premier Sports
i9 Sports Manatee-Sarasota recently announced it will move its Lakewood Ranch location to the Premier Sports Campus at the start of the winter season, which begins Jan. 11.

Previously, i9 Sports used Nolan Middle School for its Lakewood Ranch location. The league is hoping the move will increase visibility while also providing players and families with an improved level of play.
“We are very excited about this new partnership with the Premier Sports Campus,” i9 Sports Manatee-Sarasota area developer Larry Jackson says. “This change of venue increases our ability to touch the hearts and minds of more young people here in Manatee County through a fun, safe and convenient sports program.”

Jackson and his wife, Angie, have owned the Manatee County franchise since 2006.

Over the summer, the couple expanded its territory from North Manatee to Punta Gorda.

For more information on the league, visit i9sports.com.

Kudos
+ Monsters Lacrosse makes tournament
The U11 Monsters Lacrosse team has been recognized as one of the best teams in the nation and has been invited to the Dick’s Tournament of Champions Dec. 29 through Dec. 31, in Wesley Chapel.

The elite youth lacrosse team, composed of fourth- through sixth-graders, finished first in several tournaments, including the Casey Powell Orange Classic, Rippin’ at the Ranch and the Grip It and Rip It tournament. The team also finished second at the Citrus Bowl Summer Face Off and the LB3 Summer Jam.

During the Dick’s Tournament of Champions, the Monsters will face the best U11 teams from New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana and Canada.

“We are looking forward to competing against the best teams in the nation,” coach Chris Sforzo says. Our kids have worked very hard and are a special group. It’s been a blast coaching them.”

GAME TO WATCH
Boys Basketball
Dec. 19
Lakewood Ranch vs. Sarasota (7 p.m.)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Delaney Riggins
Girls Soccer
Lakewood Ranch High

11 - The number of victories Riggins has helped lead the Lady Mustangs to so far this season.

4 - The number of years Riggins has been on Lakewood Ranch’s varsity squad.

3 - The number of goals Riggins scored in Lakewood Ranch’s 6-2 victory over Riverview Dec. 9.