MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Combat Center’s Intramural Indoor Soccer League continued into its third week of the season as the teams representing Headquarters Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment faced off at the East Gym Nov. 20, 2013.
The league, now in its second season, is organized by SemperFit, Marine Corps Community Services.
“We have all of this turf to use, and thought it would be cool to have an indoor, month-long tournament,” said Jillian Stoker, coordinator, Semper Fit, MCCS. “It’s a twist on playing soccer.”
Players arrived at the indoor field to warm up, and offered each other words of encouragement before they kicked off the game. With the start of the clock, players immediately engaged in fierce competition.
“As a defensive player, I sometimes feel the pressure of having to defend goals,” said Lance Cpl. Oscarleonel Almodova, defense, Headquarters Battalion Team. “But these games are all about a team effort.”
After two halves of kicks, head-butts, and sprints on opposite sides of the field, it was Headquarters Battalion that emerged victorious with a score of 12 goals.
“I think we played pretty well,” said Lance Cpl. Miguelangel Garcia-Sandoval, forward, Headquarters Battalion Team. “We seized our options throughout the game. I like that this team works together.”
The season is scheduled to run throughout the next week, with the playoffs coming up in early December.
“A two-bracketed schedule will have the top four teams meet and face single elimination,” Stoker said. “It will lead up to the championship to be held December 5.”
Players with Headquarters Battalion anticipate doing whatever it takes to be present during the championship.
“We’re looking forward to working our way to the top; to the championship,” Garcia-Sandoval said.