Madigan soccer team has strong showing in JBLM intramural season

Story by: Tawny M. Dotson

Photo by: Tawny M. Dotson

Spc. Wesley Wooderson competes for the ball during Madigan Healthcare System's soccer game May 8 against the 542 Support Maintenance Company.

The Madigan Healthcare System intramural soccer team recently competed in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord intramural league and finished the season with a strong showing in the playoffs.

“We are a team that represents the whole hospital. Our players include medical technicians, medics, nurses and all kinds of doctors - both residents and staff,” said Capt. (Dr.) Jerry Hopkins, a resident in the Madigan Emergency Department and team captain. “I think that is a great feature.”

The team, challenged by 24-hour hospital schedules, had to field nine players per game and managed to finish the regular season in second place in their division which earned them a berth in the playoffs. The team only lost their last game in the regular season prior to the playoffs.

The first playoff game took place May 8 and Madigan faced the 542 Support Maintenance Company. Madigan won that game 3 to 1, however they lost the second game and had to forfeit a game to play for third place in the league since they were unable to field nine players for the game.

After many years of being the soccer team captain, Col. (Dr.) Benjamin Harrison handed over the reins this season to Hopkins prior to Harrison’s retirement.

The 2012 Madigan Soccer Team had more than 30 different players who contributed throughout the season. Players on the team cited the camaraderie and fun that the intramural league provided while still keeping them in shape.