Nevada State Police & Fire Games
Silver Medal
August 13th, 14th and 15th, 2009, the LAPD Soccer Team competed in the annual Nevada State Police & Fire Games in Las Vegas, NV. This event pits the best law enforcement and fire agency teams from throughout the state of Nevada and adjoining states.
Games were originally scheduled to be played at night due to the high temperatures associated with the desert in the month of August. Unfortunately, the games were changed to early mornings as tournament officials could not secure sufficient fields or referees during the evening hours.
With that said, over the next three days, our soccer squad played in temperatures around 97 degrees daily with extreme dry conditions.
The LAPD Squad dominated the first four games and did not allow a single goal against. These were mostly combination teams of law enforcement and fire agencies. The character and pride of our defense shined through and was spectacular.
During the championship game against Nevada State Fire, LAPD lost its most successful forward, Joey Stevenson. State Fire employed an unusual tactic in the first few minutes of the game when Stevenson was sprinting down the sideline into a scoring position, State Fire’s defenseman literally grabbed Stevenson and tackled him to the ground with his arms. Stevenson was outraged by this incident. The referee decided to eject both players in that incident and thus we lost one of our core players.
With the loss of Stevenson, the LAPD squad was unable to muster sufficient pace to finish their shots on goal. Nevada State Fire appeared to have more depth and subsequently scored two goals against us capturing first place in the tournament and receiving the “gold medal”. LAPD earned 2nd place and the “silver medal”.
Below are random photos of various games played in this tournament. To enlarge the photo, just double click on the image.
LAPD SOCCER TEAM
August 13th, 14th and 15th, 2009, the LAPD Soccer Team competed in the annual Nevada State Police & Fire Games in Las Vegas, NV. This event pits the best law enforcement and fire agency teams from throughout the state of Nevada and adjoining states.
Games were originally scheduled to be played at night due to the high temperatures associated with the desert in the month of August. Unfortunately, the games were changed to early mornings as tournament officials could not secure sufficient fields or referees during the evening hours.
With that said, over the next three days, our soccer squad played in temperatures around 97 degrees daily with extreme dry conditions.
The LAPD Squad dominated the first four games and did not allow a single goal against. The character and pride our defense showed in these games was spectacular. Most of the teams we played were combination teams of law enforcement and fire agencies.
During the championship game against Nevada State Fire, LAPD lost its most successful forward, Joey Stevenson. State Fire employed an unusual tactic in the first few minutes of the game when Stevenson was sprinting down the sideline into a scoring position, State Fire’s defenseman literally grabbed Stevenson and tackled him to the ground with his arms. Stevenson was outraged by this incident. The referee decided to eject both players in that incident and thus we lost one of our core players.
With the loss of Stevenson, the LAPD squad was unable to muster sufficient pace to finish their shots on goal. Nevada State Fire appeared to have more depth and subsequently scored two goals against us capturing first place in the tournament and receiving the “gold medal”. LAPD earned 2nd place and the “silver medal”.
Below are random photos of various games played in this tournament. To enlarge the photo, just double click on the image.
Sean Norwood passes up field
Juan Lopez strikes a shot on goal
Carlos Diaz is challenged by the defense
The passing game of #18, Juan Herrera, #10 Carlos Diaz and #5 Fernando Calvillo stunned the opposition.
#2 Javier Ramos steps up to take the ball away
Goalie Jimmy Erwin is a steadfast leader and an example to the younger players
Juan Lopez fires another shot on goal
Goalie Jimmy Erwin stops another threat to our goal. No goals were scored against us during Jim's reign as goalie.
#2 Javier Ramos steps up to defend
#6 Mark Hubert stands strong moving the ball up field from his defensive position
#18 Juan Herrera is swarmed by the defense as he controls the ball
#10 Carlos Diaz pushes the squad up in an attack
#10 Carlos Diaz passes forward to continue the scoring threat
#9 Juan Lopez sets up for another shot on goal
#19 Julio Castillo-Lopez jumps up into the play as a scoring threat
#8 Hugo Virrueta uses his speed and skills to escape the defensive player
#8 Hugo Virrueta continues dribbling up field to set up the play
#8 Hugo Virrueta sets up a shot on goal
#8 Hugo Virrueta
#6 Mark Hubert passes up field
#14 Emmerson Cruz is challenged by the defense
#21 Jim Erwin playing out in the field sets up an offensive play
#14 Emmerson Cruz passes to #21 Jim Erwin to maintain controll of the ball
#3 Edgar Ramos challenges the offensive player and takes the ball up field
#17 Joey Stevenson sprints away from the defense
Goalie Luis Interiano throws the ball out to #13 Rafael Virrueta
#13 Rafael Virrueta dribbles up field on the offense
#12 Geoff Carlson works with the defense #11 Sean Norwood to maintain possession of the ball
#12 Geoff Carlson turna the ball up field on the attack
#3 Edgar Ramos surveys the field for a pass up field
#12 Geoff Carlson is challenged by the defense
#8 Hugo Virrueta heads the ball in an attempt for Geoff to strike a shot on goal
#18 Juan Herrera attacks the ball as defenders swarm him
#5 Fernando Calvillo sets up a play out of the defensive area
#21 Jim Erwin looks to assist #15 Scott Burkett with an offensive play
#3 Edgar Ramos looks to steal the ball from his opponent
#5 Fernando passes up field
#3 Edgar Ramos attacks the striker on the opposing team
The defense works together to thwart a corner kick
Our next scheduled soccer event will be the 9-11 Heroes Cup hosted by MLS Chivas, USA beginning September 9th, just 3-weeks away in Los Angeles.
