Defending champions the Sault Ste. Marie Tazzi retained the men’s open division title during the weekend's Coppa Caruso soccer tournament.
The team beat the Timmins Borealis 3-1 during their final match at the James Jerome Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon, capping a weekend of soccer action in the sweltering heat.
With a heat warning persisting throughout a weekend hit by 31 C temperatures, it was a hot one for players who altered their gameplay to handle conditions.
After hoisting the Giacomo Anselmo Memorial Trophy alongside his teammates, Sault Ste. Marie Tazzi captain Daniel Scarpino said the weather simplified their gameplay.
“Hydration and trying to simplify our tactics,” he said, were key. “We didn’t try to get in too much running, not too much pressing, we tried to play a simple game, a little bit shorter and not as long.”
Although some players have switched out, he said the bulk of the Sault Ste. Marie team has played together since childhood, and they maintain their gameplay year-round.
More than 30 soccer teams from throughout Ontario participated in various divisions as part of the weekend soccer tournament.
The tournament, hosted this year by the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League, carries a long history dating back to 1992.
Originally hosted by Società Caruso, the tournament was called the Coppa Caruso for its first 20 years. When the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League took it over in 2014, it was renamed the Sudbury Star Cup.
With the Caruso Club returning as its main sponsor this year, the tournament was renamed the Coppa Caruso
"We’re thrilled to bring the tournament back to its original identity," Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League vice-president Cody Cacciotti said in a news release.
"The Società Caruso has played a historic role in the development of soccer in our region, and this partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating that legacy while creating exciting new opportunities for competition and community connection."
Meanwhile, the trophy formerly known as the Caruso Club Trophy was rededicated as the Giacomo Anselmo Memorial Trophy.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.