Tinker varsity soccer game ends in 1-1 tie with Dynamo Published Oct. 7, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The game did not end as they hoped, but their efforts were not in vain. On Oct. 3, a brisk Sunday afternoon, Tinker, the men's varsity soccer team, tied OKC Dynamo, 1-1. It was the second matchup of the season and a heated game. Held at Field 3 of South Lakes Soccer Club in Oklahoma City, one player from Dynamo received a yellow card and another, a red card. Tinker faced its own challenges as the team didn't play as a cohesive unit until the second half; but, despite it all, it was a good effort by both teams. "We felt we were the better team, but were also lucky to come out with a tie," said Joe Bowers, Tinker coach, manager and player. "They had a few really good chances in the second half, but because our defense and goal keeper, we were able to prevent them from scoring more goals." Within the first three minutes of the game, Tinker attempted a goal. Although it was no good, it was the first of six attempts before Dynamo hustled the ball to the other end of the field. There, they attempted three goals, but failed each time. Tinker brought the ball back to the Dynamo goal and tried five more times. No luck. Dynamo swept in, dribbled the ball to the Tinker goal and scored, making the score 1-0. Tinker subbed out three players and the game continued. Amid cheers from the sidelines, the teams volleyed for control of the ball until the whistle, which indicated the end of the first half, was blown. "We played inconsistent soccer for the first half," Bowers said. "It wasn't until the last 10 to 15 minutes of the first half that we started putting passes together and getting better chances on the goal." In the first half, Tinker attempted 18 goals; Dynamo tried seven times. When the whistle for the second half blew, Tinker wasted no time getting back in the game. Within the first minute, the team attempted two goals. When neither was deemed good, the team tried three more times before Dynamo got the ball. Dynamo tried once before a volley ensued. Running up and down the field, Tinker attempted roughly six goals, Dynamo, three. On the seventh try, Tinker's Dustin VanCleave made it work and Tinker scored its only point. In the midst of the volley, a Dynamo player received a yellow card. "The second half was a better all-around half of soccer," Bowers said. "We started playing the ball through the midfield and we were giving our forwards and midfielders better opportunities to score." When the game resumed, Tinker tried for three more goals; but none were good. During the attempts, VanCleave was injured with an ankle/shin injury, but it was nothing serious. He stayed on the field. As Dynamo attempted two goals, one of their players mouthed off to the referee and received a red card. In the end, neither of Dynamo's goals was good and the game drew to a close. In the second half, Tinker attempted 18 goals; Dynamo, tried for seven.