Spring Fling Soccer includes Socorro Youth

By Paul Fuierer

Right: Shawn Moore of the “Rookie Warriors” gives the kick everything he's got.

SOCORRO, N.M., April 15, 2007 – The NMT Miners shared the fun with Socorro youth in the Third Annual Spring Fling 3v3 Soccer Tournament, on March 31 and April 1, 2007. The friendly tournament, organized by Tech Junior Soccer and Miner Mens Soccer's Russ Maier, was again one of the most successful events during the Spring Fling celebratory weekend.

“The event gets bigger each year, and this was the best yet.” according to Men’s Soccer Club vice president Jon Smith. With teams split into an adult (college) division, and two youth divisions, there was plenty of action on the three miniature fields prepared on the Tech campus just for the event. 3 v 3 is a very popular format for soccer competition, using small fields, small goals, only 3 field players and no goalie. Scoring is fast and frequent. Teams usually include one or two additional substitution players to handle the fast pace.

The Miners organized the Spring Fling 3 v 3 for the first time in 2005. For the first two years, there was only participation from Tech students and some Socorro High students. This year, the Miners got the word out to Socorro kids with the help of AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) staff and coaches.

Left: Tech student Ben Crowder prepares to pass the ball to teammate Maung Aung.

Many of the kids created their own teams, but lots of parents came out on the beautiful Sunday morning to witness the action. First place teams were “PlusTen” for the Under 10 division, “Scotchers” for the U 12, and “Extreme Team” for the college division. Members of the winning youth teams were awarded with specially prepared Miner tee shirts, while the older victors were presented with gift certificates to local eateries.

The Miners plan to continue the tournament in future years and hope to attract teams from outside of Socorro. The Tech team uses the event as one of its fund raisers, supporting their competitive play during the regular Fall season. The team appreciates the support received from the NMT student association as well as AYSO.

Right: Galen Hartenberger and Alq Fuierer, both top scorers in each of their divisions as well as members of 1st place teams, don their future ambitions.

Throughout the year, the Tech Miners like to donate their time to the Socorro soccer community. They conduct free youth soccer clinics prior to the start of the fall season, and also during the spring AYSO registration. Maier and club president Michael Butkus even coach a Socorro youth team, as some Miners have done in the past. Other Techies can be found at Sedillo Park on Saturday mornings, helping with referee duties. AYSO staff and parents have in turn been very supportive of Miner soccer by loaning equipment when needed, in addition to being loyal Miner fans.

More information about the NMT Men’s soccer team and club can be found at the website: http://infohost.nmt.edu/~soccer/