Patrol Squadron 4 holds Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadorn 463 with 2-0 victory

Photo By Cpl. Colby Brown | Elisha Martin, a forward for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, uses his chest to control the ball after the Patrol Squadron 4 goalie booted it down the field during his game Wednesday. VP-4 scored once in the first half and again in the second for a 2-0 win against HMH-463.  

KANEOHE BAY, HI, UNITED STATES

06.06.2012

Story by Cpl. Colby Brown 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii — Patrol Squadron 4 held off the vicious, offensive attacks of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, and were victorious 2-0 during an intramural soccer game at Pop Warner Field, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 6.

The game was evenly matched except for one aspect, defense. VP-4 kept their opponents out of the box and limited them to desperate shots on goal. Like children hovering over the batter of an unbaked cake, HMH-463 couldn't keep VP-4 away from their goal. VP-4 crossed the ball multiple times for plenty of shots on goal, which coupled with many one-an-one scenarios where they won the fast break.

"They were pretty tough," said Elisha Martin, a forward for HMH-463. "Their defense is good, I charged hard but they held me back from scoring."

VP-4 scored once in the first half and again in the second. The first goal displayed amazing composure against tough odds when number 16 weaved and danced around five defenders only to slowly slip the ball into the far, low corner of the goal.

The second goal was a result of iron-like perseverance. After bouncing the ball off HMH-643 goalie's hands, VP-4 took it to the top of the box and set up another cross, but this one was a success.

Many players on HMH-463 are new and have only played organized soccer in the intramural league. A goal of theirs is to progress as a team and focus on ball control and patience while on the field. They are 3-1-1.

"The game went all right but for a lot the guys, this is their first time playing," Martin said. "One thing we could work on is ball possession and passing. The better you are at possessing the ball the better player you are."

VP-4 has a different adversity, flying. Many of the players are pilots, which makes practicing regularly as a team impossible, due to work schedules. So they don't practice. But what gives them their edge is their competitive will to win. They are 2-1-0. "We're pretty competitive," said Cassandra Aquino, a defender for VP-4. "We don't practice together so we have a good ability to adapt."

Both teams laid everything on the field, but only the players of VP-4 were there to pick up the pieces at the end of the game. For a taste of more adrenaline filled matches, head over to Pop Warner Field on Monday, Wednesday or Friday and support your unit's team.

"Everybody can improve in all areas," Aquino said. "lt takes time to build a team."

• Date Taken: 06.06.2012
• Date Posted: 06.08.2012 15:28
• Story ID: 89676
• Location: KANEOHE BAY, HI, US