AFRL gets 1 over Med Group

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Research Lab managed a one-score victory over the 96th Medical Group during a hard-fought third game of the intramural soccer season, Feb. 17.

This was the first game of the season for both teams, each looking to kick the season off with a 'W.' The last time these two team met, AFRL won 3-0.

AFRL controlled the ball in the first half keeping Med Group on the defensive. Their cohesiveness worked to their advantage, opening opportunities to score.

After only eight minutes, AFRL took a shot on 96th MDG's goalie, Assy Yacoub. He blocked the attempt but couldn't  hold onto the ball, allowing Timothy Ager, AFRL, to kick it out of his arms and into the goal.

"We've had the opportunity to practice a lot before this game," said Ager. "So I think we were pretty much on top of things in the first half."

The rest of the half was a struggle for the offensive advantage as both teams vied for control of the ball, but neither could capitalize. The first half ended with AFRL on top, 1-0.

In the second half, the MedGroup revised their offensive strategy and came out looking to even the score.

"We started the second half with the mindset that the score was zero to zero" said Yacoub. "We were out to win and we played our hearts out."

The opportunity for the MedGroup to score came when Sean McCurbin was fouled and given a penalty kick. A goal could even the score and swing the momentum in favor of the MedGroup team.

"I was pretty calm despite the tension," said McCurbin. "It's a lot of pressure."

Penalty kicks are taken from a midline spot 12 yards from the goal, with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty kicker and the goal.

"I felt he was going to kick to the right, but instead it came right down the middle to me," said Sean Gresham, AFRL goalie.

The shot was blocked.

"I know he wishes he could have the shot back, but I was relieved to see him miss, because I knew we could eek it out after that," said the goalie.

Despite the miss, the 96th MDG team didn't let up and kept AFRL team worried and on the defensive for the rest of the game.

AFRL team captain, Michael Kostelny, attributed their struggle in the second half to fatigue.

"We're out of shape and need to focus on getting to the ball faster for the games to come," he said. "We just got tired."

Even though they were tired, they managed to keep Med Group from scoring. AFRL won 1-0.

"The game could have gone either way," said Kostelny. "We have things we can improve upon, hopefully before our next game."

In spite of the loss, the 96th MDG walked away from the game with their heads high expecting to win their next matchup.

"I think it was a great game," said Assy Yacoub. "Both teams played hard, we gave it our all and I see a bright future ahead for us. Just because a team loses doesn't mean they didn't play with a game winning effort."