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SPIRIT, 38th EIG soccer match ends in 3-3 tie

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  The intramural soccer season is in full force. Two of the league's premier teams - SPIRIT and 38th Engineering Installation Group -- squared off April 24 and the game ended in a 3-3 tie.
   The 38th EIG got on the scoreboard first. Forward Mostafa Maiz intercepted the ball in the SPIRIT defensive end and sent a short shot past goaltender Kevin Fairbairn to give his team an early 1-0 lead.
   The 38th EIG continued to put pressure on the SPIRIT team. They peppered Fairbairn with nine shots, but he was up to the task and kept the score 1-0.
   At the 35:15 mark, 38th EIG forward Tim Michalak sent a crossfield pass to Trevor Smith, who sent a header past Fairbairn to put the 38th EIG up by two goals.
   "Our team took advantage of some early opportunities and we were able to get an early lead. I think our opponents will make a charge in the second half," said Quyet Doan.
SPIRIT forward Karl Stauffer said his team was a little shorthanded due to injuries. "I think we got tired a bit," he said. "However, I think we will make a game of it in the second half."
   Just seconds into the second half, the 38th EIG got their third goal after a SPIRIT turnover at midfield. Doan passed the ball to forward Ojo Olukunle, who dribbled away from the SPIRIT defense and sent a quick shot past Fairbairn.
   The comeback mounted by SPIRIT was slow and methodical. The first goal came off a deflection as forward Hein Huynh tipped in a errant shot to make the score 3-1.
The next five of minutes of play belonged to SPIRIT. They were awarded a penalty kick on a handball penalty at the 15:25 mark of the second half. Huynh sent a blistering shot past the goalkeeper, cutting the lead to 3-2.
   The next 20 minutes were played at a frantic pace. SPIRIT controlled the play once again and was rewarded at the 37:25 mark as Fairbairn, who came out to play forward in the second half, sent a 15-foot blast past the goal keeper to even the score.
   Both teams tried to break the tie, but neither could get the ball in the net and the score remained deadlocked at 3-3.
   "I desperately tried to make amends for letting an easy goal in the first half," Fairbairn said. "I was sure glad I could help my team with a goal and at a least get a tie."