MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- MWSS-171 beat the Legends 4-1 during the final game of the six-on-six soccer tournament at Penny Lake fields here Monday.
The double-elimination tournament started Saturday on an overcast morning. The teams only made it through a few games before thunder and lightning started, postponing the tournament until Monday morning.
The sun was out and it was perfect weather for a soccer tournament when competitors arrived at the fields to show their stuff.
The Legends won two games before hitting the field for the final game against MWSS-171.
“We won the last two games,” said John B. Bass, goal keeper for the Legends. “We beat the high school team in the shootout, but those kids were rough. I wasn’t expecting so many shots on me. Our team very well deserved to be here in the final game.”
In order to win first place in the tournament, the Legends would have to beat MWSS-171 twice before taking home the trophy.
Ebrima Jallow, an MWSS-171 player, scored the first goal of the game within only a few minutes of the first half.
MWSS-171 kept control of the ball throughout the entire first half of the game, going into the second half with a 3-0 lead.
MWSS-171’s confidence built up while frustration set in for the Legends.
“I told you we were going to be the champions from the beginning,” said Jallow.
MWSS-171 scored on the Legends again early in the second half, putting the score at 4-0.
The Legends failed to take shots when the opportunity was available but managed to finally get a goal past the keep during the last 10 minutes of the game.
A few attempts were made, but neither team scored during the last few minutes of the tournament.
MWSS-171 took home first place, and the Legends were happy to accept the second place trophy.
“We may not have won but we played our best,” said Keon Beckles, team captain for the Legends. “I asked my team to give me 100 percent and that’s what they did.”
When the game ended, each team lined up to shake the hands of the other team to congratulate them on a game well played.
“This tournament meant a lot,” said Bass. “I told my team when I first came into this tournament, this is going to be my last tournament before I retire from the sport. The boys played their hearts out for me, and I played my heart out for them.”
More important than winning or losing is being able to come out and enjoy some friendly competition, said Bass.
“It gives Marines and sailors aboard the station a chance to blow off some steam and get in some good physical fitness,” said Beckles.
For more information on intramural sports, contact the IronWorks Gym at 253-6578.