Unstoppable Eagles undefeated again

  • Published
  • By Dario Ramirez
  • 678th Armament System Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Eglin Eagles Men's Soccer Team continued their undefeated record, now at 14-0, and defended their championship title in the Eighth Annual Defender's Cup Military Open Soccer Tournament Oct. 10-13 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. 

This is only the second year the Eagles have participated in the event and the second year they've gone undefeated scoring a total of 56 goals, while only allowing six. 

The tournament was a four-day event with 20 teams participating from across the Air Force to determine who would be the Number 1 soccer team - the Eagles earned that honor in the 7th Defender's Cup where they went 7-0. 

During the tournament each team was guaranteed three games with a knockout stage where each team had the chance to play up to four additional games. The Eagles defeated Lackland, 3-1, in the championship game to win the crown. 

Game 1: The Eagles soared past Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C., 5-0. Eagles' team captain Senior Airman Lamar Parrett, Staff Sgt. Jhon Arango, Senior Airman James Andrews, Daryl Weber and Airman 1st Class Mitch Gore each scored one goal apiece. 

Game 2: The Eagles downed Sheppard AFB, Texas, 7-0. Even though the score was high, Sheppard was not an easy opponent according to Lt. Robert Wible. 

"We established ourselves as a second half team, scoring only one goal in the first half in both the Seymour-Johnson and Sheppard games. We scored the majority of our goals on the second half," said Lieutenant Wible.

Game 3: In game three, two undefeated teams in the tournament met: Eglin and Langley AFB, Va. 

"I scouted Langley prior to the game, and they were very solid throughout their lines," said Head Coach Dario Ramirez, a retired Air Force officer and currently a civil servant with the Navy. 

During the first 20 minutes of the first half, both teams battled for possession while neither team gained an advantage. However, in the 30th minute, striker Deputy Scott Kirkpatrick passed to Airman Parrett for the lead 1-0. Throughout the rest of the game the Eagles maintained pressure throughout the field. Airman Parrett and Lieutenant Wible added one goal each during the second half for a final score of 3-0. 

With their performance in the first three games, the Eagles established themselves as the No. 1 seed of the 20 teams participating. 

"My biggest concern coming into the tournament was the fact that we only had less than a month to practice," said Mr. Ramirez. "We also had 11 new players that didn't participate in the last Defender's Cup. One of the keys to the team's early success was that we established a rotation for substituting all the players so that everyone had plenty of playing time." 

Game 4: The Eagles' next opponent came from Hill AFB, Utah, who proved to be a worthy adversary. Both teams fought hard during the first half. The Eagles opened the scoring with a goal by striker Capt. Shane Nagatani. During the second half Airman Parrett scored two more to finish the game, Eagles 3-0. 

Game 5: The Eagles' quarter-final game was against their neighbors from Hurlburt Field, Fla., who advanced by winning their group and defeating Barksdale, 4-1. The Eagles continued their dominance by putting Hurlburt Field away with a 4-0 win. 

Game 6: The semi-finals brought the Eagles against undefeated Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. 

After the group round, Davis-Monthan advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Brooks City-Base, Texas and Travis AFB, Calif. Davis-Monthan proved to be a tough contender during the first half, holding the Eagles to just one goal. The Eagles rallied in the second half, however, and came out on top defeating Davis-Monthan, 6-0. Airman Parrett and Kirkpatrick both scored two goals, and striker Airman 1st Class Ryan Curtis and Deputy Weber added one goal each. 

Game 7: The championship game was a repeat of last tournament's final: Eglin Eagles versus Lackland. 

"The Lackland squad looked and played stronger from last outing," said Lieutenant Wible. "They were more technical, physically stronger and they wanted us real bad." 

Lackland had won their group, and seeded No. 3, eliminated Dyess AFB, Texas, 3-1, crushed Keesler AFB, Miss., and outlasted Randolph AFB, Texas, 6-3 in the highest scoring game of the tournament. 

"Our team strategy was based on teamwork in both defense and offense, focusing on playing and winning every ball," said Mr. Ramirez. "This game was a battle of heart and drive, and not leaving anything behind for next game, because there was no next game." 

Both teams created multiple scoring opportunities, however, the Eagles' defense anchored by central defender Airman 1st Class Elias Mata and outside defenders Deputy Ricardo Ramirez, 1st Lt. Jason Moran and Mr. Jeremy Armstrong, was rock solid, according to Mr. Ramirez. 

In the 30th minute, the Eagles put one in after the Lackland goalie gave up a rebound and Eagles Airman Curtis found the net for a 1-0 lead. However, Lackland didn't relinquish the attack and scored a goal 10 minutes later. Every ball was fought hard throughout the second half, but the Eagles' continued to repel every attack. The Eagles were able to score another goal when Lieutenant Wible put one in on a penalty kick. 30 minutes into the second half, Eagles' Airman Curtis served an air ball to Kirkpatrick who scored on a header. Final score: Eagles 3, Lackland 1. 

By the end of the tournament the Eagles went undefeated in seven games, scoring 31 goals and allowing only one. Goalie Davide O'Neill was voted defensive player of the tournament. 

"Although we didn't get the golden boot award winner, 13 different players scored or assisted on goals," said Mr. Ramirez.  Airman Parrett was Eagles' top scorer with 10.
"While our offense was unstoppable, our team defense led by team captain Lieutenant Wible was one notch above." 

This team continues to establish new records at Air Force-level competition, said the head coach.

"I am blessed with skillful players, outstanding leadership by the team captains, teamwork, drive and commitment by all. It was awesome when we won it last time; we squeezed through as the unknown team," said Mr. Ramirez 

After the last tournament the team from Eglin lost half of the squad due to permanent change of station and injuries, according to Coach Ramirez. However, with perseverance and determination, the Eagles were able to bring back the gold to Eglin. 

"Something extraordinary happens when a bunch of young Airmen decide to rally and pull together as a team," Mr. Ramirez said. "The fact that we won it was a byproduct of teamwork and pure sweat." 

Players interested in joining the Air Force's Number 1 soccer team can contact Mr. Ramirez at (850) 225-7358.