Base Soccer Team Earns Third Place in Defender's Cup Military Soccer Tournament

  • Published
  • By Capt. Eric Peterson
  • BLAZE Soccer Team
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Columbus BLAZE soccer team traveled to San Antonio, Texas, over Labor Day weekend to compete in the annual Defender's Cup Military Soccer Tournament, eventually taking third place.

The Columbus BLAZE distinguished themselves among all competitors by taking third place overall behind champions Eglin AFB, Fla., and runners-up, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

This prestigious tournament consisted of 20 military soccer teams from across the globe. In a span of just three days, each team had to play seven games to take home a trophy

The BLAZE Soccer Team is proud of their results and had many notable accomplishments. On their climb to third place, the team was able to garner the number two ranking out of group play by defeating both Randolph AFB, Texas, (2-0) and 2008 champions, Lackland AFB, Texas, (3-1).

In the first round of elimination play, they put seven goals in the net and retained a shutout of their rout of Randolph once again.

Then in their toughest test yet, they defeated defending champions Travis AFB, Calif., 3-1, in a match played with precision. The win was a testament of the many hours of practice in anticipation for the tournament.

After this tough win and battling fatigue of playing five previous games, the team played to earn a spot into the championship against the Army's best team - Ft. Sam Houston. In a match that saw many momentum changes, the BLAZE had to keep clawing their way back into the game. With 15 minutes left, they put the tying goal into the back of the net to even the score 2-2.

However, after the BLAZE missed numerous chances for the go-ahead goal, Ft. Sam Houston's star left forward found a way through one the tournament's best defenses and dashed Columbus' hopes with only three minutes left. The BLAZE still went home proud bringing home third place and earned the respect of the other military soccer teams.

The Columbus BLAZE had their best performance so far in the tournament and expects even better results next year as they seek the championship! Please contact Capt. Eric Peterson if you are interested in playing soccer for the base team at eric.peterson@columbus.af.mil.