MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- It’s the beginning of the season for the Camp Lejeune men’s intramural soccer league; four teams played their first game Aug. 16, at WPT Field House.
The first game pitted the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion against the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance team at 6 p.m.
The 2nd LAR side started off strong with an early goal by Lawrence Lee, giving them a 1-0 lead that survived through the first half. 2nd AA Bn. fought back in the second half with a late goal to tie the game 1-1.
“Both teams are prepared for this game so either team has a chance at this point,” said a spectator in the stands.
The game remained tied through the final whistle.
Jared C. Peters plays forward for the 2nd LAR team. Practices are tough, he said, combined with physical training and a long day of work.
“It’s all in good fun. Most of the players volunteer because they love the game,” Peters said.
John A. Gogan, 2nd AA Bn.’s assistant coach, said proper hydration and practice is the key to a successful game.
“Deploying to Iraq is good practice in itself,” Gogan said.
Each team practices before and after their routine physical training to prepare for the season.
Although neither team came out on top during the game, they both were able to see where they stood in their ability to play soccer as a team.
The second game of the night pitted 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment against Combat Logistics Battalion 24.
1/9 took the field as soon as the first game was over and began running practice drills to prepare for the game. CLB 24 shortly followed and began their own practice session.
When the whistle blew, 1/9 took possession and proceeded down the field. They took the lead with an easy goal by Crisor Boyer. Both teams kept their composure and played the game.
At the end of the first half 1/9 dominated 2-0. CLB 24 came out looking for a win but couldn’t “seal the deal” against the much-prepared 1/9.
Charlyston Shultz scored the third goal, making the lead too great for CLB 24 to catch up.
1/9 started their season off with a 4-0 win, giving them hope for another championship in the future.
Elvis Zdionica, 1/9’s head coach, has been playing for more than 16 years and started coaching 1/9 last year. His team won the championship last year and is confident in another shot at the gold.
“We got lucky with the win. I’m happy with the team’s performance and the 100 percent support from the intramural sports coordinator, Antonio Warner,” Zdionica said.
The next games to be played at the WPT Hill Field House are tonight, with CLB 24 against 2nd LAR at 6 p.m. and Camp Johnson against 2nd AA Bn. at 7:30 p.m.