AEF topples Med Group in OT Published June 5, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The final soccer game of the 2009 intramural season was filled with excitement and drama. Team AEF defeated the 72nd Medical Group 4-2 in overtime to secure the title. The game was played at the Airman Leadership School Soccer Field on May 27. Pat Griffin, Sports Director, Gerrity Fitness and Sports Center sports director said the game pitted the two best teams in the league against each other. AEF had won all head to head meetings during the regular season. Team AEF went into the title game unblemished and the winners of the championship bracket, while the 72nd Med Group came out of the elimination bracket. AEF got on the score sheet at 4:24 of the first half as John Hard scored on a penalty kick. The Med Group tied the score with a spectacular goal by halfback Michael McCabe. He took a free kick from just inside the midfield stripe and sent a shot into the back of the net. The score remained deadlocked through the reminder of the first half. "We had our chances in the first half," said McCabe. "Med Group outplayed us in the first half and we are fortunate to be tied at halftime," said Joseph Bowers, AEF head coach. The Med Group continued its fast pace in the second half and was rewarded with a go-ahead goal at 4:25. Forward Renaldo Sanchez intercepted an errant pass inside the penalty area and chipped a shot into the goal. AEF striker Erick Reynoso tied the score at 2 with a leaping header at 25:22. He went between two defenders to direct the ball into the goal. Regulation play ended with the scored knotted at 2. Both teams awaited the two five-minute overtime periods to decide the base champion. AEF took full advantage of the overtime. Hard scored a quick goal at 1:24 of the first overtime session with a sizzling strike in the penalty box. AEF scored again two minutes later when forward Jerome Julius received a pass from Reynoso in the penalty area and directed it into the net. "Both teams brought a lot to the table," Bowers said. "The Med Group was shorthanded due to injuries, however the effort during the game was tremendous." "We played our hearts out, but we could not score when we needed to," said McCabe.