Tinker varsity wins soccer championship

Published May 20, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Pure Luck's namesake had run out and Tinker wanted the championship win. It was a lethal combination. After a slow first half, Tinker nabbed the win, 3-2; making their overall season's record 8-0-1.

Held May 15 at South Lakes Soccer Club in southwest Oklahoma City, both Tinker's varsity soccer team and Pure Luck came out strong. It was anyone's game.

Tinker attempted the first goal of the game, but it was no good, flying over the net. Before the team could try again, Tinker's Armstrong Ekpete kicked the ball and accidentally hit teammate Brian Armstrong in the groin.

As Armstrong recovered, Pure Luck attempted their first goal and missed. Tinker goalie Carlos Liberos stopped the ball.

A minute later, Tinker tried and missed their second attempt. Pure Luck soon attempted two more goals. As they did so, Gina Crudden, wife of Tinker's Patrick Crudden, called out, "Watch the girl. You know we're good!"

Though comprised primarily of men, Pure Luck had three females on their team.

Pure Luck missed those two and two other goals. Liberos had caught or stopped the majority of the attempts. Tinker missed two of its attempts.

Before the first half ended, Tinker tried for four additional goals; Pure Luck attempted nine goals. Neither team scored.

With a 0-0 score, Tinker used it's half-time to compare notes of their own techniques, their opponents' performance and prepare for the second half.

As the minutes ticked by, Armstrong said to his team, "Let's go beat this team. Be patient, guys. We're doing a lot of talking, but not listening."

Four minutes into the second half, Pure Luck scored the game's first goal, surprising Tinker. A general consensus thought the ball rolled to the side of the goal net, not through it.

Pure Luck tried their luck again a minute later and attempted a second goal, but it was no good.

Within a minute, Tinker nabbed the ball, dribbled it down field and attempted a rebound. Though it wasn't good, their second attempt was.

Jeff Jensen had passed the ball to Luis Ibarra-Hernandez and scored. Tinker and Pure Luck were matched 1-1.

Tinker's celebration was cut short as Pure Luck attempted another goal. Fans gasped and watched the ball soar to the goal and ultimately bounce off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Tinker wasn't taking any chances and attempted another goal. It was no good, but two minutes later, they tried again. Dustin Van Cleave, with a straight shot, scored. Pure Luck's goalie didn't even try to stop the ball.

Pure Luck apparently wasn't ready to give up. They earned two free kicks, but neither attempt was good. Tinker matched Pure Luck's two attempts, but neither of theirs was good either.

The volleying continued -- two attempts by Pure Lucks, three by Tinker; one by Pure Luck, two by Tinker.

Of the three attempts by Pure Luck, one was good. Of the five by Tinker, one of theirs was good. Armstrong had passed the ball to Ibarra-Hernandez. The score was now 3-2.

Before the final whistle blew, Tinker attempted three more goals. Pure Luck tried two more times. Neither team scored; the final was 3-2 Tinker.