By Jessica Bracamontes |Staff Writer|

CSUSB students put on their soccer gear to participate in the Red Bull Kick-off Soccer Tournament on May 2 in front of the John M. Pfau Library lawn.

The soccer tournament had eight teams consisting of four players each. The games were fifteen minutes long, and consisted of single elimination rounds with one referee officiating.

The winning team was awarded an exclusive trip to see the New York Red Bulls soccer game in Los Angeles on May 5. The tournament was free and open to all CSUSB students.

Senior Christian Bautista gathered three of his close friends to form a team called Los Coyotes. “I’ve played with these guys back at the Rec Center intramurals. We have played with each other before and know when to cover one another,” said Bautista.

Red Bull brought out their MXT truck that played upbeat music throughout the tournament thanks to two CSUSB DJs. The music enabled the participants to play with more energy and enthusiasm.

The games were different from most soccer games, as the teams played three-on-three rather than 11-on-11. The limited team rosters and the reduction to a 60-by-30 soccer field made the game fast paced for the players.

The students who engaged in the soccer tournament played on one of following eight teams: KO Kings, Bus Drivers, Vicious and Delicious, Fly Emirates, Bruins, Los Coyotes, Lady Killers and Team Eight.

Bautista explained how he felt his team dealt with transitioning into the soccer game. “The game is a lot more fast paced than a full field. You got to be defending and attacking,” said Bautista.

His team had good competition on the field. Most of the players had previous soccer experience. Los Coyotes made it to the championship round and had to face the KO Kings. The two teams had to make it through two rounds before the men played in the championship round.

Bautista revealed his team’s strategy for winning the first two rounds of the tournament. “We all know our positions to play. Out strategy is the chemistry we have when we play on the field,” said Bautista.

After fifteen minutes of play with no intermission, the KO Kings knocked out the Los Coyotes with a 11-4 victory. KO Kings’ player Obi Agwu described how his team developed their strategy.

“We defend as a team and finished our opportunities when they came,” said Agwu. He felt the KO Kings had good competition in the soccer tournament. “It was a good competition. There was a lot of good players out there on the field,” said Agwu.

The Red Bull company enjoyed giving free Red Bull to spectators and players, and showed that they can put together a fun, eventful and competitive tournament.

Keep an eye out for the next event they throw on campus, and stop by to participate and have a great time.

Photos by Jessica Bracamontes