Bucs thwart Falcon comeback, win 5 - 0

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Milford Middle School Buccaneer girl's soccer team beat the Air Base Middle School Falcons 5 - 0 at Dover Air Force Base April 27.

This win thwarted the Falcon's comeback hopes after their 1 - 0 loss to the Bucs at Milton High School April 24. 

Frank Victory, Falcon's coach, was hopeful before the game as he rallied his players together and warmed up. 

"Milford has a fantastic coach and they are always a good team, a tough team," said Coach Victory. "We've practiced hard and have a really good team this year. We barely lost to Milford Friday and we hope we get our win today."

Milford's soccer team also had winning on the agenda, but did not anticipate the sweeping win they pulled off during the second game.

"Today the squad seemed really fired up on the bus ride up here," said Keith Short, Milford's coach. "I don't think we'll dominate. Dover has too good a team for that. But we'll put forth our best and hope for another win today."

Though the Falcons did not score any points in either game, their goal keeper, 7th grader Autumn Williams, caught Coach Short's attention and he said, "their keeper has 'all star' talent, she really gives my girls a challenge trying to get to the net."

Coach Victory agreed.

"At this level, you need both a good sweeper and goal keeper to be competitive," he said. "Last year was Autumn's first year playing soccer and she was just a natural. She really knows how to get out there and stop the ball."

One Buccaneer really challenged Autumn's skills. Milford 8th grader Bekah Yanacek played keeper for half of the game and played full back the other half. Though she was in a defense position the entire game, she still managed to go coast to coast and take shots on goal several times.

"Bekah is a very aggressive player," said her mother, Kim Yanacek. "She's been playing soccer for nearly 10 years and knows how to play defense quite well. She knows how to cut the offense off, while driving the ball forward and feeding [team mates] Kira Byler and Angie Glasting the ball into a scoring position."

Her methods proved successful as 6th grader Glasting blasted in Milford's only goal April 24 and scored again April 27.

Despite their upset over the past two games, Coach Victory believes in his players and lauded their ability.

"These girls are coming together and learning to play well together," said Coach Victory.

Unlike the Buccaneer squad, whom many of the players grew up together and have known each other's strengths and weaknesses for years, many Falcon players are military dependents and move from base to base often, said Master Sgt. Mimi Kramer, 436th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician.

"Our kids [permanently change stations] every few years," said Sergeant Kramer, who attended the game to watch her daughter, Megan Kramer, play. "This never gives them the opportunity to really get to know each other's game well enough."

One Milford parent in attendance agreed.

Delaware State employee Brian Baker, resident of Milford and father of Buccaneer Hannah Baker, said his daughter played for years in the Parks and Recreation League with many of her current team mates.

"Hannah was sick Friday and had to miss the game against the Air Base Middle school but was excited to be in today's game," said her father.

Sports are competitive and this was evident in the bleachers at either game. Several Dover AFB parents drove down to Milford to watch the first game and many Milford parents were in the Dover bleachers cheering the Buccaneers on during the second game.

Rivalries aside, a few Milford parents took the time to thank Airmen for their service, a sight not likely to be seen at any professional sporting event. Even the coaches shared a level of recognition for each other's team and their dedication.

"I've been coaching along side Coach Victory for a few years now," said Coach Short, who said this is only the Buccaneer's sixth season with a girl's soccer team. "Victory is a fantastic coach and really works hard to get his team motivated."

The Air Base Middle School athletic department always invites any Team Dover members out to see their games. The next home game will be played against Smyrna Middle School May 11 at 4 p.m. at the base track between the middle school and the Airman Leadership School.