One squadron stands alone as Incirlik’s top soccer team

Paul Surprenant, 39th Security Forces Squadron, left, and Roger Ward, 728th Air Mobility Squadron compete for control of the ball during the intramural soccer championship game Sept. 29, 2011, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The 728th AMS won against the 39th SFS 3-1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt/Released)

One squadron stands alone as Incirlik’s top soccer team

Juan Garcia, 39th Security Forces Squadron, picks up a teammate as he celebrates a goal during the intramural soccer championship game Sept. 29, 2011, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The 728th Air Mobility Squadron won against the 39th SFS 3-1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt/Released)

One squadron stands alone as Incirlik’s top soccer team

Published Sept. 30, 2011
By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Sept. 29 marked the end of Incirlik's intramural soccer season as the number-two seeded 728th Air Mobility Squadron B team beat the number-one seeded 39th Security Forces Squadron 3-1 in the championship game.

While SFS came into the game with a 9-1-0 record, the AMS finished the regular season with a 7-0-3 record. SFS appeared poised to repeat as champions as they allowed only three goals during the entire regular season to clinch the number-one seed in the playoffs. They already beat AMS 1-0 back on Aug. 24 and intended to do so again, but the AMS squad had different plans.

Wasting no time, AMS showed why they were the top scoring team in the league and drew first blood with a goal by Winston Jones in the opening two minutes of the game.

Both teams failed to score in the last 17 minutes of the first half and AMS went into halftime up 1-0.

AMS's lead didn't last long as SFS's Juan Garcia scored the equalizing goal six minutes into the second half.

Kenneth Taylor put AMS back on top when he scored a goal in the 30th minute.

In the end, AMS's offense proved to be too much for the SFS defense as AMS's Jones added his second goal of the game with less than two minutes left, bringing the final score to 3-1.

"We had a great season this year with only one loss. We had an awesome crowd from both sides - played a (heck) of a game against a good 728th team. We definitely give it to them," said Garcia, SFS coach. "I am sure everyone that played this year had tons of fun and enjoyed the competitiveness factor each team was bringing."

"First and foremost, we would like to congratulate SFS for a hard-fought game. The entire season, we worked on honing our skills knowing we would battle them in the championship, with no disrespect to all the other teams of course. Our game strategy, work ethic and hearts on the field proved to be the deciding factor. Thank you to all the fans for the tremendous support throughout the season," said Jones.

After the game, Col. Christopher Craige, 39th Air Base Wing commander, presented both squadrons plaques for their efforts this season.