MCB CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –
Day two of the 2023 Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Championship continued to excite the crowd.
In the opening match, Army faced Navy with both teams creating scoring chances followed by solid defense.
In the 44th minute, Spc. Louis Robenson of Fort Bragg, N.C. delivered a long-ball pass to Pfc. Devante Blake of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., who in turn executed an amazing one touch pass to 2nd Lt. John Poncy of Fort Hood, Texas for the score.
Poncy’s goal was his third of the championship and would be the only goal of the match, giving Army another victory on the scoresheet defeating Navy 1-0.
Marines hosted Air Force for the second match of the day. Both teams fought tooth and nail throughout the contest leaving both halves of the match scoreless.
In the second half of extra time, newly promoted Sgt. Carlos Vazquez-Perez of MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif. received a perfect pass from Cpl. Brandon Torres of MCB Quantico, Virginia to score the winning goal.
Fans rushed the field in exhilaration surrounding the victors to celebrate on their home turf.
Vazquez-Perez was promoted to sergeant earlier in the day on the adjacent pitch with his unit joining him along with the All-Marine team.
Vazquez-Perez’s goal lifted the Marines to a 1-1 record good for second place in the current standings.
Marines host Navy and Army faces Air Force on Sunday, April 9 to conclude the round robin phase of the championship.
The top two teams will compete in the championship match on Tuesday, April 11. The bottom two teams will compete in the consolation match also on the 11th.
Visit www.armedforcessports.com for complete coverage of the 2023 Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Championship.