Getting off on the right foot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  At the first kickoff of the intramural soccer season on August 16, 2012, two equally matched teams with a common goal of winning their first match started intramural play at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

The game featured the defending intramural soccer champion Misawa Security Operations Center team and their opponent from the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the Youth Center soccer field on base. The game did not disappoint the fans who attended, with MSOC coming out on top by a score of 3 to 1.

In a later game that featured one of the top teams in the league, the U.S. Navy Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department defeated the 35th Communications Squadron in a hard fought match by a score of 1 to 0. AIMD remained undefeated and looks to continue its winning ways throughout the season.

In soccer, or any sport, there is more to the game than just winning.

"The purpose of the intramural soccer season is to contribute to the overall fitness program of the Air Force and raise unit morale," said Staff Sgt. Muriel Diaz, 35th Force Support Squadron sports director. "The soccer season is designed to provide scheduled competition and recreation for all squadrons assigned or attached to the base."

Intramural soccer currently runs on a schedule of two games each day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The season is now in its second week of play, and each team has played at least one game.

Diaz said there is a possible schedule change due to darkness and nightfall during the second game played.

"What we are looking at right now is to play one game a night Monday through Thursday," said Diaz. "The Youth Center is also letting us use the field on Saturday after 1 p.m. so we could play three games then as well."

Even with a schedule change, the amount of games played a week would stay the same, keeping the end of the season on Sept. 24. The playoffs are set to start in early to mid Oct. with the top 5 teams in the league going for the intramural soccer championship.

If you have any questions about intramural soccer or the season, contact the Potter Fitness Center at 226-3982 and ask for the sports director Staff Sgt. Muriel Diaz.