King keeper Kent Monto makes one of his 19 saves against Perry. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – It took 18 years and a late goal by Ben Duncanson, but E.J. King’s boys strikers find themselves back atop the Far East Division II soccer tournament.

Duncanson scored the second of his two goals with two minutes left, Damian Perez assisted on both tallies, keeper Kent Monto had 19 saves and the Cobras outlasted Matthew C. Perry 2-1 in Wednesday’s final at Robert D. Edgren’s Eagles Field.

“I cannot tell you how unbelievably happy we are,” said Perez, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and shared the Golden Boot award with Perry striker Preston Ramirez with eight goals each.

It was the Cobras’ first D-II title since they beat Indianhead International in penalties back in the 2007 final at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

“It was a hard-fought back-and-forth, exciting and high-energy game with two great teams playing fantastic football,” Cobras coach athletics director Ricky Andrew said.

“It’s one of those matches where you hate seeing either team lose and as a coach, a game you love to coach.”

Duncanson scored 15 minutes into the contest and the Cobras, who finished 15-8-1 this season, led 1-0 at half. The Samurai (17-5-2) got the equalizer with 10 minutes left on Ren Spinosi’s penalty kick.

Then Duncanson found the back of the net off a Perez assist with two minutes remaining, setting the stage for a celebration when the final whistle sounded.

“Damian and our other seniors did what I asked them to do, leave it all on the field and have no regrets,” Andrew said. “It was a total team effort.”

Perry's Ren Spinosi goes up to head the ball over King's Nolan Grubb. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)

Perry's Kameron Ramos steadies the ball against King's Damian Perez. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)

King's Ben Duncanson and Damian Perez celebrate a goal against Perry. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)