MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Parris Island Sting, the Tri-Command's varsity soccer team, placed third in the 7th Annual Blizzard Blast, part of the Bear Foot Sports Soccer Six Tournament Series, at the Austin-Tindale Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Fla., Saturday - Sunday.
The team is a regular participant in the series, competing in one tournament a month, including a second-place finish in the series championship in Charleston Aug. 1-3.
The Soccer Six Tournament Series continues year-round and consists of 16 individual tournaments in which amateur adult soccer teams from all over Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina gather to compete in six-a-side-style soccer.
In the latest of the 16 tournaments, the Sting competed against 13 other teams in the Men's Open Division of the Blizzard Blast. The team's finish was bittersweet for the players, as the same team that eliminated them in the series championship back in August once again stood in the way of a first-place trophy. BFC, a team from Palm Bay, Fla., defeated the Sting 2-1 in the semi-finals and then went on to win the tournament.
"They were the best team in the tournament, so it's only fitting they beat us," said Ben Braudrick, forward for the Sting. "We did well considering we were missing several key players."
Many drill instructors play on the team, lending to a sporadic attendance at the competitions. In the Blast, none of the DIs were able to attend, leaving a hole in the roster. As a result, one of the other team members stepped up to fill the void.
"We knew that everybody wasn't going to be there," said Braudrick. "Midfielder Mike Leonard was prepared for that and made up for it with his performance. He had an exceptional tournament."
Leonard scored two goals during the two-day tournament. Braudrick contributed considerably himself to the team's success, scoring six goals in five games. In the team's third round game, as well as in the quarterfinals, Braudrick was the only Sting player to score. The team won both of the games.
Despite efforts from Braudrick and Leonard, the Sting once again met their fate in their nemesis, BFC. Even without a division title, however, all were fairly pleased with the outcome, given the circumstances.
"The competition was stiff and we did better than expected," said Braudrick, who has been playing with the team since January 2003.
The players have also been pleased with their success as a whole since playing together. They placed first in a recent tournament in Savannah and are looking forward to the Shamrock Six coming up at Chatham Soccer Complex in Savannah, March 6-7.
For more information about varsity soccer, contact Bill Brown at 228-1561.