JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Airmen represented Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in the Department of Defense Defender's Cup Military Soccer Tournament hosted by Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 4-7.
Approximately 22 Airmen from different units across Langley competed in the competition, which welcomed all base-level soccer teams from any service installation worldwide.
"We've been practicing two times, sometimes three times, a week," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Pelrine, Langley soccer team forward and co-captain. "Just overall from the intramural season and any off-base leagues that the players play on around here, we've just been trying to keep the rust off of us and stay sharp."
During team practices, soccer balls could be seen flying through the air and zipping past feet, as the men and women went through warm-up drills to get their legs loose and conducted team scrimmages to challenge their readiness for the tournament.
According to Senior Airman Audri Brooks, team defender, several players have been playing together in an off-base soccer league and she believes the team works well together, which helped them prepare for the 40 team, single-elimination tournament.
With the defenders cup concluding its 14th year, the Langley team returned with no regrets from their efforts in the tournament, where they finished 25th out of 40.
Staff Sgt. Patrick Hart, team co-captain, also said that the level of competition was incredibly high. Adding, the toughness of the competition exceeded skill as all teams' battled temperatures ranging from 90 to 115 degrees throughout the tournament.
"The Langley soccer team feels great about their performance, especially since we haven't played together as long as most teams in the tournament," said Hart. "Our strong defense certainly stood out, obviously we wish we could have won the entire tournament, but that only gives us something to strive for in coming years."
Although the team did not win, the captains believe in the future of the team.
"Langley soccer is revitalized and will continue building throughout the coming year," said Hart. "The opportunities in our area to grow and excel as a club are vast."
Team Langley will practice, condition, and take advantage of mini-tournaments, as well as participate in off-base adult leagues. Langley will be ready to bring home the trophy next year, concluded Hart.