Feature Search

Med Group crowned soccer champs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The 36th Medical Group was crowned champs after defeating the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron 3-1, during the 2010 Intramural Soccer Championship game, here Jan. 10.

"Both teams played a great game with a lot of heart," said William Darling, Med Group coach. "CE put up a fight, but I've known this whole season we were the best team and tonight we proved it."

Both teams went into the game with only one loss each throughout the season. The two met in the playoffs with the Med Group taking the victory 2-1. Because the championship was a double elimination match, the CE team would have to beat the Med Group twice to clinch the championship title, however, the Med Group only needed to win once that night.

The Med Group drew first blood, scoring just 10 minutes into the first half. They controlled the ball for a majority of the half and scored another with seven minutes left until half time. Darling scored both points. The second half ended Med Group 2, CE 0.
"Our defense really stepped up this game," Darling said. "After ending the second half up by two, with CE scoreless, I knew we had the game won already."

Though they were down on the scoreboard, the CE team wasn't fazed by the uphill battle they faced going into the second half.

"We've been a second-half team all year," said Michael Bramble, CE team coach. "Most of the games we've played this year we were down going into the second half, but we've always rallied in the end. We've built the mentality that even though we're down, we can still come back."

The second half proved to be a nail biter. With fancy footwork and fast-paced drives up the field, both teams played offensive tug-of-war. However, the Med Group's impenetrable defense and solid passing proved too much, leading to another Med Group score by Darling, putting them up 3-0.

Despite being down, the CE team showed true grit and managed to score before the end of the game. Bramble attributes their loss to fatigue and a lack of chemistry between the relatively new team.

"Fatigue was a factor, they had the subs and we didn't," Bramble said. "We also had a lot of guys who were new to the team and came onboard mid-season. It's kind of tough to get them in the mix, their legs under them, and utilize them the best we can."

"The game went well regardless," he continued. "We played hard and we didn't quit. Our mentality is we're here to have fun. The game can get heated at times because it's a competition, but for the most part it's about having fun and getting some exercise at the same time."