306th FTG-10th CS wins intramural soccer championship

  • Published
  • By Dave Castilla
  • 10th Force Support Squadron
U,S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy intramural soccer league concluded its regular season May 21, when a combined squad of 306th Flying Training Group and 10th Communications Squadron Airmen took first place and Hospital Number 1 took second place during the last games of the season.

The 306th FTG-10th CS defeated the three-time defending champions, Dean of Faculty, 4-3.

"This was the best team I've had since arriving at the Academy," said 30th FTG-10th CES coach John Cortes. "We played well all year. Our team won the first five games of the season, but we lost two matches to Hospital Number 1 and the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department but came back and won the remainder of our games. I'm proud of the way they bounced back."

In the championship match, Dan Norton scored the first goal for 306FTG-10CS, and a few minutes later scored a second goal for a 2-0 lead off an assist from Efrain Mujica.

Dean of Faculty got back in the game when Tyler Fuentes scored a goal off an assist from Paul Prosper, making it 2-1. Norton finished off the half scoring another goal for the hat trick and a lead of 3-1.

Dean of Faculty got on the scoreboard in the second half when Fuentes scored his second goal, closing the gap to 3-2. Norton later had the assist leading to a goal for Mike Opresko, increasing the 306th FTG-10th CS lead to 4-2. Dean of Faculty scored the final goal of the night off an assist from Christin Brodie to Prosper, making the final score 4-3.

"It was great winning it all this year," Norton said. "What a difference a year makes.  Last year we were at the bottom of the standings and this year we came together and fielded a really solid team. It was fitting ending the season against the three-time defending champions Dean of Faculty. They played really well, but fortunately we were able to squeak out another win to finish the season on a high note."

Later in the night Hospital Number 1 defeated the Fire Department 1-0 and took second place in the league.

"The game was extremely intense from start to finish," Adrian Daniels said. "We managed to develop the opportunity we needed to score the lone goal that won the game for us in the second half. I'm very proud of how we've played all season long and am already excited for next season."

Hospital Number 1 was in second place and held a one point lead over the Fire Department, in third. Hospital Number 1 had to tie but the Fire Department had to win the two points to take second place. After a scoreless battle in the first half, the medics prevailed later in the second half, scoring the only goal of the night as Daniels rifled in a shot off an assist from Dane Fisher making the final score 1-0.