Mighty Ninety soccer team prepares for regional

Daniel Weisz, 90th Medical Operations Squadron, moves the soccer ball away from his team’s goal during the 90th Missile Wing soccer team’s practice game April 17 in the fields near the Freedom Hall Fitness Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

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Mighty Ninety soccer team prepares for regional

Eric Gomez, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, dribbles the ball away from the opposing team during the 90th Missile Wing soccer team’s practice game April 17 in the fields near the Freedom Hall Fitness Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

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Mighty Ninety soccer team prepares for regional

Eric Wilson, 321st Missile Squadron, directs his teammates during 90th Missile Wing soccer practice team April 17 in the fields near the Freedom Hall Fitness Center. The team will have its first game May 17 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

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Mighty Ninety soccer team prepares for regional tournament

Published April 29, 2014
By Airman Malcolm Mayfield
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The 90th Missile Wing Soccer team, composed of players from around the wing, is preparing for the regional tournament at the Air Force Academy May 17 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The team holds practices where they split into two teams and have practice matches against each other. This draws in players who aren't part of the team, allowing for a more diverse set of skills to practice against.

"On a typical day, we see between 20 to 30 people show up who aren't a part of the official team," said Master Sgt. Joshua Hinsey, 90th Security Forces Group, and coach.

The base support has increased in the past two years, Hinsey said.

"In 2012, we had around 20 people show up. Now we have 60 people who are either engaged or show up on a regular bases," he added.

The soccer team made it to the national tournament in 2013 in San Antonio and won second place, Hinsey said.

"We've kept the momentum and desire to come out and give it everything," Hinsey said. "Right now we are drastically ahead from where we were a year ago."

Hinsey is preparing for a PCS to another base and will be leaving 2nd Lt. Eric Wilson, 321st Missile Squadron, and 1st Lt. Joseph Buckingham, 90th Operations Support Squadron, as co-captains of the soccer team.

"Our objective is to get people ready for the regional tournament we have coming up," Wilson said. "Right now, we are practicing as much as schedules allow."

Besides the practice games played internally, the team is working on various techniques, including ball control and touch, said Wilson.

"I'm excited. If you would have looked at the soccer program here three years ago, it was very little to non-existent and for us to be where we are now is a huge accomplishment. Not even just the team but the following and the involvement we have from the base overall is huge," Hinsey said. "I'd love to see it grow even more with a full time league on base with each group, even each squadron, having their own team and see a five or six game season on the base itself and I believe that's very possible."