Hat trick leads LRS to 5-1 win

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  After trailing early, the 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron's intramural soccer team scored five straight goals en route to a 5-1 victory over the 62nd Medical Group Monday evening at Rainier Field. 

Things got off to a great start for MDG just four minutes into the game.

The LRS defense couldn't clear out the free ball in the middle, and after it ricocheted off a couple of defenders, Leonard Washington booted it in from close range. 

But that turned out to be the best look at the goal MDG got all night. 

Three minutes later, LRS halfback Cyle Grieve unleashed a shot from 10 yards out that bounced off an MDG defender and into the net, tying the game at one. 

LRS continued its offensive push as forward Xaviour Campbell scored from close range to push the lead to 2-1. 

He added another goal two minutes later, out-leaping two MDG fullbacks and goalie Jonathan Thomas for a free ball. 

Campbell then headed the ball over the three for the easy score and a 3-1 lead at the half. 

The second half showcased Campbell, Enrique Lara and Jose GutierrezCampos, as the forward trio controlled the offensive tempo for LRS and generated several more scoring opportunities. 

The MDG offense was stifled, as it didn't attempt a single shot on goal in the second half. 

Lara scored on a penalty kick midway through the second half and Campbell added his third goal of the game in the final two minutes. 

LRS earned its third win of the season, while MDG suffered its third loss. 

"We have a good team," Campbell said. 

"We all have good positioning on the field, and we're very used to playing with each other so it makes it easier for us to communicate when we have the ball." 

GutierrezCampos, who was born in Costa Rica and grew up playing soccer, praised his team's performance but said they still have some things to work on. 

"We still have to work on connecting our passing and moving around so the ballhandler has some different options," he said. 

GutierrezCampos said he used to play soccer on the beach, the street -- basically everywhere he could. 

He said he hopes some of the passion he has for soccer will rub off on his teammates. 

"Some play for fun, I play because it's my passion," GutierrezCampos said. "We can all play together and help each other." 

LRS has scored a combined 13 goals in its first three games and Campbell said the team has yet to really be challenged. 

That could change in the next few weeks, he said. 

"Hopefully someone will come out and push us to the max," Campbell said.