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Tinker knocks Cosmos out of this world

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Despite many goal attempts by the Cosmos April 11, only Tinker scored. The men's varsity soccer team beat the Cosmos 1-0.

The two teams met up at field six of the South Lakes Soccer Club on Southwest 119th Street in Oklahoma City. The Cosmos attempted at least eight goals before half time. Tinker attempted roughly three goals, all of which were no good. But, with 20 minutes to go in the game, Joe Bowers scored the sole goal.

"We won a hard-fought game against a very tough team," said Mike McCabe. "Our defense and keeper Carlos Liberos highlighted the night with a shutout and we just took advantage of the few goal scoring opportunities we had."

Tinker's Andre Tucker agreed.

"I think we did well," he said. "We didn't get down on ourselves when the Cosmos were controlling the game through ball possession. Also, our keeper saved us multiple times."

As the first half progressed, referees called several "hand-ball" and "off-sides" calls. When goals were attempted, many of them soared over the goalies' nets, a few flew out of bounds and one cleared the fence, bouncing into the neighboring parking lot. Both teams aggressively attempted to score and several tries were close.

At the start of the second half, Cosmos immediately attempted a goal, but to no avail. As the half progressed, many of their tries were overshot, with one landing in the parking lot.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tucker, from the sidelines, yelled, "We want the ball; we want the ball, right?"

Shortly thereafter, Tinker attempted a goal and overshot the net. They tried two more times and a Cosmos player saved it at the last second. Minutes later, Michael Urrutia left the game temporarily due to an ankle injury.

Within five minutes, Urrutia returned to the game and Bowers scored the game's only goal. Ten minutes later, Bowers attempted a second goal, but instead, the ball hit the side of the post.

"It was, overall, a great team victory," McCabe said.