Soccer Tournament Inaugurates Anchor D Stadium for Upcoming NAIA Games

Goodwell, Okla. — In what turned out to be a perfect, bright and sunshiny day, seven soccer teams from around the area took the field at Anchor D Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 for the first of many anticipated soccer games to be played on the new turf. The teams were participating in the first “Annual Socctober Soccer Tournament” sponsored by the Panhandle Hispanic Alumni and Panhandle State’s Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO).

It was an intense day of play as the first game started at 10 a.m. and the trophies and medals were awarded at 9:30 p.m. following the championship game. The invitation to compete was open to co-ed teams from around the area ages 15 and up. The championship game teams were determined after 11 games throughout the day; Atletico San Pancho from Guymon, Okla., and Dodge City FC Fury from Dodge City, Kan. competed for the first place trophy. Dodge City won 1-0. First and second place trophies and medals were awarded.

Vice President of Outreach Dr. Ryan Blanton commented, “It’s amazing to see how our alumni worked with our student groups to make something special happen for our community. I was so pleased by the participation and by how far the teams traveled to participate. Hopefully, this is the first of many tournaments to come.

There was fun for everyone with kids’ games including a bouncy house, hamster balls and mini soccer running concurrently with the soccer tournament. Additionally, HALO hosted a concession stand.

Hispanic Student Services Director Teri Mora commented on the event, “It was so much fun to be able to inaugurate the field for soccer use. The players loved how the field played. We all look forward to a regular soccer season here and to continued tournaments to benefit student scholarships.”

Geraldine Sanchez graduated from Panhandle State in 2007 and has been instrumental in forming the Guymon Soccer Club and in getting soccer fields installed in Guymon. She reminded players of how far their soccer dreams have come. “From our beginning of playing on old corn fields converted to dirt soccer fields, on Saturday we played, participated, organized, and cheered on from the stands and field of a UNIVERSITY STADIUM. I hope you felt the epicness of this event like I did. I cannot wait to have another tournament at OPSU and to encourage young players to come play at OPSU with scholarships.”

Special thanks to Panhandle State Student Affairs for their donation to help make the tournament a success and to Geraldine Sanchez for organizing the tournament. Proceeds will be deposited into an account with Panhandle Hispanic Alumni for future scholarships.