MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – The Air Force men's soccer team won the 2024 Army Men's Soccer Championship at Albany State University on April 9, 2024 in Albany, Georgia.
The Air Force team defeated the Navy and Marines and won the championship game against Army in bracket-style competition. The tournament was aimed at fostering camaraderie between military branches and strengthening military cohesion.
“It's all about camaraderie through sports. When we can come out here and meet people from other departments, it creates this brotherhood,” said Lt. Col. Jeremiah Kirschman, Air Force men's soccer coach. . “It shows that we are all working toward the same common goal in the military and that our different strengths come together.”
The championship game holds a prestigious place in the military world, and the Air Force team dedicated a great deal of effort to preparing for this year's tournament.
Kirschman said that two weeks before the championship, the team trained twice a day in Valdosta, Ga., to prepare mentally and physically for competing against other divisions. .
This year, the Air Force team welcomes Senior Airman Jairo Valencia, a member of Team Moody's, an aircraft electrical and environmental specialist from the 71st Rescue Generation Squadron, and the team's central defensive midfielder. Valencia started playing soccer at the age of four, introduced by his father. He was invited by the head coach to try out with the team, and after proving himself in practices and scrimmages, he earned a walk-on spot on the team.
“It meant a lot to me to be able to represent my service branch and ultimately my country and play the game I love,” Valencia said.
The soccer tournament gave Valencia the opportunity to meet Airmen from across the country and build a greater sense of military unity.
“At first I didn't know anyone about them, but now they feel like my brothers,” Valencia said. “I have friendships that I'm sure will last a lifetime.”
In this year's tournament, Air Force sealed victory with a thrilling 3-2 victory, thanks to Valencia's tying goal that sent the game into overtime.
“It was really nice to score the tying goal at the end of regulation, especially with my family watching in the stands,” Valencia added. “I'll never forget the emotion of winning everything in overtime.”
For more information about the DAF Sports program and to apply, please visit https://dafsports.com/.
| Obtained data: | April 19, 2024 |
| Post date: | April 19, 2024 16:11 |
| Story ID: | 468993 |
| position: | Albany, Georgia, USA |
| Web view: | 2 |
| download: | 0 |
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This work, Air Force wins Army Men's Soccer Championshipby Ann Cade Ellisidentified by DVIDSsubject to the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
