On paper, the Alconbury Dragons boys soccer team has gotten off to a rough start this season.
After a loss and a tie this weekend, the team is 0-2-1.
But once the competition is taken into consideration – Division I Lakenheath, Division II SHAPE and Division II AFNORTH – the Division III Dragons don’t look so bad. And when they start playing teams closer to their own size – starting this weekend - the results might very well change. Alconbury hosts Rota, Menwith Hill and Brussels for a soccer extravaganza Friday and Saturday.
AFNORTH took over the Region I lead by sweeping the Dragons and the Lancers during the weekend, though. Ryan Mantell, Cladius Karich, Beau Timmons and Eric Yabici paced the Lions to a 4-1 victory over Alconbury on Friday. The Dragons then helped AFNORTH take over first place in Region I by handing SHAPE a 2-2 tie on Saturday. Alconbury’s Jeff Black and SHAPE’S Santiago Gamboa each scored twice.
AFNORTH 1, Lakenheath 0: Saturday at Lakenheath, Karich kept AFNORTH perfect on the year at 3-0 with a goal. Keeper Victor Black had 10 saves to keep the Lancers off the scoreboard.
ISB 2, Kaiserslautern 1: Saturday at Brussels, the Raiders – the defending D-I champ and third Region I team yet to suffer a loss, handled the Red Raiders in a non-conference clash.
Vicenza 3, Sigonella 1: Saturday at Sigonella, the Cougars stayed atop the Region IV standings by defeating the Jaguars behind two goals from Sam Ney.
Patch 6, Vilseck 2: Saturday at Stuttgart, Sage Thornbrugh had two goals, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Falcons from suffering their first region loss. Six different players scored for the Panthers, who are battling Heidelberg for leadership of Region III.
Heidelberg 9, Hohenfels 1: Saturday at Hohenfels, the Lions couldn’t have gotten off to a better start in their final year of existence, improving to 4-0 behind three goals apiece from Justin Rodney and Zach Parsons and two from Andrew Guille.
Ansbach 7, Bamberg 0: Saturday at Bamberg, the Cougars got three scores from Joe Thomas and two from Doug Aricsson in keeping the Barons winless.
Ramstein 3, Black Forest Academy 0: Saturday at Kandern, the Falcons finally opened their season, but picked a tough opponent to play. The Royals stayed perfect on the year at 3-0 by spreading the ball around.
Wiesbaden 5, Bitburg 1:Saturday at Bitburg, the Warriors stayed within striking distance of the Region II lead by downing the Barons. Dennis Ringgold scored twice and John Arnold had a goal and two assists