MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The 2005 Armed Forces Men's Soccer Championship came to an end after the final game of the tournament Monday at Naval Station San Diego soccer field.
The Marine Corps faced off against the Navy, the Army and the Air Force in the weeklong tournament that involved the best soccer players in the U.S. military.
The All-Marine team consisted of players from installations all over the world, including Okinawa, Japan, New River, N.C., Camp Lejeune, N.C., and San Diego.
In their final game, Marines went up against the All-Air Force team in the first game of the final competition day. The air power was too much to handle.
The airmen dominated the Devil Dogs from the get-go. They played impenetrable defense and scored two first-half goals. The Air Force tacked on three more goals in the second half to complete its shutout romp.
"Basically, a big factor in the tournament outcome was disrepair from their commands," said Staff Sgt. Mario Morales of Marine Corps Air Station New River and the All-Marine men's soccer team coach.
Many units were shorthanded due to deployments, and this meant that the usual amount of players on the team could not make it this year.
"We usually have 35 to 40 Marines trying out for the team, but this year ... we had 19," said Morales.
With a brand new team and a lot of starters from last year missing, the All-Marine team was glad to see one of their players return: Cpl. Eric J. Norfleet, the lone Marine representing Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Norfleet made his presence known on the field with excellent ball handling and outstanding endurance.
"We had a great team this year, but we just caught a couple tough breaks," said the three-time All-Marine veteran.
Norfleet, along with two other Marines, has been selected for the All-Armed Forces men's soccer team. The team was announced at the championship awards ceremony Monday afternoon.
The Army won the tournament, followed by the Air Force and then the Navy. The Marine Corps filled in the final spot.