The Matthew C. Perry Oriental Tigers and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 managed to headbutt and kick their way to
the championship game of the six-man Summer Soccer Tournament that was held June 6-9 at the Penny Lake soccer fields here.
MWSS-171 lost in its second game of the tournament, bringing it down to the loser’s bracket. For the Oriental Tigers, it had not yet lost a game.
MWSS-171 worked its magic by winning all the losers’ bracket games and returning to play in the championship game.
Oriental Tigers won its two games that brought them to the championship game against the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron logistics “Legends” and the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 “Gunners."
“We wanted to play MWSS-171 since we haven’t played them yet,” said Tyelor Apple, Oriental Tiger coach and midfielder. “We wanted to get a taste of all the teams so we were hoping MWSS-171 would win."
Throughout the tournament, the teams substituted players and changed positions constantly.
Both MWSS-171 and the Oriental Tigers started the game off strong. MWSS-171 brought the ball to the Oriental Tigers’ territory. The Oriental Tigers cut off MWSS- 171 from scoring.
As MWSS-171 brought the ball down the field again, Antonino Mautino, MWSS-171 forward, took a shot.
Bryant Ray, Oriental Tigers goalkeeper, dived for the ball but missed it by inches.
MWSS-171 took the lead 1-0.
With time running out, the ball was kept in play with no one scoring most of the first half.
With a little luck, the Oriental Tigers stole the ball from MWSS-171 players and streaked down the field.
Yuta Flemming, Oriental Tigers forward, dodged past MWSS-171 players and took a shot.
Christopher Perry, MWSS-171 goalie, attempted to catch the ball but it hit the net before he could come close.
Oriental Tigers scored their first goal.
The first half ended in a tie score 1-1.
After a five-minute halftime, the teams lined up center field.
The whistle blew and the Oriental Tigers took the ball down the field, catching MWSS-171 off guard Sean Barker, Oriental Tigers forward, scored.
Oriental Tigers brought the score to 2-1.
MWSS-171 was given a penalty for a slide tackle, allowing the Oriental Tigers to a penalty kick.
Apple took the penalty kick and upped the score to 3-1.
MWSS-171 took the ball and headed toward enemy territory. Mautino received the ball, dribbled past the Oriental Tigers defender and scored.
The score was 3-2.
The Oriental Tigers, wanting to keep the lead, retrieved the ball from MWSS-171 and sent the ball downfield.
Barker took the opportunity to kick and the Oriental Tigers scored another goal.
The score was 4-2 in favor of the Oriental Tigers.
For the remainder of the game the Oriental Tigers and MWSS-171 went back and forth down the field.
Finally, Barker took the ball, drove it downfield and kicked into the goal.
Perry dove and missed.
The crowd cheered as the Oriental Tigers brought the score to 5-2.
The whistle blew and the championship game was over.
“I didn’t know that high school could have such great soccer players,” said Adam Santana Jr., MWSS-171 midfielder. “They are a good team and play well together.”
The Oriental Tigers took the championship 5-2.
“It feels good to be out here playing with the adults,” said Barker. “Back at the high school we are kids playing soccer, but out here we are adults playing and we won.”
This tournament was just a pre-examination of what teams will be up against in the upcoming season.
The tournament was just a fun way to get prepared for the upcoming season, said Julio Bernal, MWSS-171 assisting coach for the night.
Not only is there a soccer season coming up, but the base team itself will start shortly to prepare for the regionals that take place in Okinawa in September.