Vance Varsity kicks its way to third

  • Published
  • By Vance Varsity Soccer
  • 25th Flying Training Wing
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Vance Varsity Soccer team recently returned from the Defender's Cup, a Department of Defense-sponsored soccer tournament held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, without the top prize but with many fond memories.

The team consisted of a cross-section of base personnel, including air traffic controllers, instructor pilots and student pilots. Led by team captain Whit Collins, 25th Flying Training Squadron, the Vance team went undefeated in group-play against Medina Annex, Randolph AFB, Texas, and state-rival Tinker AFB to earn a number three seed in the tournament.

The team fought hard through the first round of the tournament with a 2-0 overtime win over Kirtland AFB, N.M., but then lost to host team Lackland in the quarter finals. Lackland made it all the way to the finals and lost to Eglin AFB, Fla. 5-1.

Vance scoring leaders were Eric Hagaan, 71st Operational Support Squadron, Nick Collins, 32nd FTS, and Jason Getz from the 25th FTS. The team's defense, led by Richard Harr, 32nd FTS and goalie Sam Ensminger, also from the 32nd FTS, held the opposing teams to only four goals in five games.

"I'm very pleased with the way the team played given the circumstances." said Whit Collins. "The first time any of us even played together was three weeks before the tournament. Some of the teams we faced have been playing together for years!"

The Vance AFB varsity team was the 2004 Defender Cup tournament champion.