The Derby Elks Lodge #571 annual Soccer Shoot-Out Saturday gave Valley soccer players a chance to compete in some friendly competition at Bradley School.
Everyone who finished in the top three of their age group received a trophy.
Winners in the 7 and under category are Evan Sanchez and Sia Goel; the 9 and under is Dibran Trepca and Bianca Romano. The 10 year-old category was won by Antonio Romano.
In the 11 year-old category, Jehan Balidemaj and Priya Patel were winners as well as 12 year-olds, Garrett Kichar and Victoria Neves.
This was the 20th annual shoot-out according to secretary Tony Gorlewski, who set up the event along with chairman Jerry Coolidge and co-chairman P.J. Konner.
“When we started, soccer wasn’t that big. We had about two to three kids in the 12 to 13 year- old age group,” Gorlewski said. “Now, it’s growing.”
Ansonia, Seymour, Derby and Shelton are invited to the annual event, which is one of three major events that the Elks put on for Valley youth; the others being the Basketball Hoop-Shoot in the winter and the Spring Fishing Rodeo.
The event, also attended by many parents, is aided by their work, as well. Gorlewski thanked them for setting up the soccer balls and score-keeping.
The younger athletes and the older competitors took part in different events. For the younger athletes, a series of small goals were used, with each successive goal getting smaller, increasing in point total every time.
For the older athletes, a regulation size goal was used, with a series of ropes tying off the goal into nine sections, and like the younger competition, each section represented a point total.
In the 11 year-old competition, Balidemaj put on a show, striking a couple of beautiful shots into the top corner, before hitting the cross bar and going back to the easier shots in the middle.
The Elks Lodge pays for goals and refreshments, while the state association provides the balls for the athletes.
The winners’ rewards, in addition to their trophies, is the chance to compete in the regional finals, which take place Oct. 2, at the Bridgeport Elks Club.
After the regional final, the state final will take place in New Britain later this fall, for a shot at the national final.