MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- After two very close games August 13, the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 Gunners won another game against the Tigers to finish off the 6-Man Soccer Tournament with a score of 4-3 at Penny Lake her August 14.
The game held August 13 could have been the end for the Gunners, but they pulled through after beating both Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 1-0 and the Tigers 3-2.
Both games ended up going into overtime and the Gunners succeeded in taking home both wins by winning both in final shoot-outs.
After their last grueling game, both the Gunners and the Tigers had to bring their A-game for the championship game.
The game started off fast paced with the Tigers scoring two goals in the first half and going into the second half with a 2-0 lead.
The Gunners may have left the first half feeling frustrated, but showed more intensity and composure during the second half as they began to take more control of the ball, making the Tigers' keeper work a little harder.
The Gunners scored their first goal within the first few minutes of the second half raising their spirits.
After their first goal they continued to turn over the ball and managed to get yet another goal past the Tigers' keeper to tie the score at 2-2.
At this point the Tigers were feeling the pressure and knew they needed to step up their game if they wanted to win the tournament.
As the game intensified, coaches and teammates started yelling commands to one another in English, Spanish and Japanese.
When the second half came to an end, the Tigers and Gunners were tied up 3-3.
A re-run of the their previous encounter - the game went into two two-minute periods of overtime with both teams having no luck scoring any goals.
The championship title came down to yet another shoot-out.
The Tigers got to shoot first but miss. The Gunners took advantage of the opportunity and Taylan Batuman made their first shot, winning the game 4-3.
Johei Cedillo, a Gunners defender and team captain, attributed their win to teamwork.
"That's really what it boils down to," he said. "Good communication and good passes."
"We were losing at first," said Christian Orozco, the goal keeper for the Gunners, "but we came together and we won together."
Both players encourage others to get involved in intramural sports.
"It's good (physical training) and it builds comaraderie," said Cedillo.
"Its a great way to interact with new people if you don't know anyone," said Orozco. "I hope mir people come out and play next year."
The Gunner finished their season with a 4-1 record and a tournament championship.