HERO OF THE MATCH
SD Loyal is proud to honor an active duty, reserve, veteran, or retired service member at each of our home matches. Those military members chosen to be our Hero of the Match receive two tickets to the match, are recognized on-field for presentation of the colors during the National Anthem and receive a small gift to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
Cpl Jacob Crouse, USMC
Hero of the Match: March 11, 2023
Originally from Bel Air, Md., Corporal Crouse completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina in 2019. After attending various service schools, Crouse reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in November of 2019, where he completed a six-month deployment to Okinawa, Japan.
SgtMaj Rosalia Scifo, USMC
Hero of the Match: March 19, 2023
Originally from Orange, Calif., Sergeant Major Scifo enlisted in June of 1994 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. A military policeman, Scifo has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, served as a drill instructor, and has been an enlisted career advisor. She is currently the Command Sergeant Major of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
OSC (SW) Benjamin Forman, USN
Hero of the Match: April 8, 2023
Originally from Saunderstown, Rhode Island, Chief Petty Officer Forman enlisted in June of 2006. His past assignments include USS Mobile Bay, USS Curts, USS Russell, and USS Oakland, and he has completed deployments in the western and southern Pacific Ocean. He is currently assigned to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, San Diego.
AMT3 Stephen Miccio, USCG
Hero of the Match: April 23, 2023
A native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and a graduate of Central Florida University, Petty Officer Stephen Miccio enlisted six years ago and was assigned to Coast Guard Station Islamorada, Florida, before coming to Coast Guard Sector San Diego. Miccio was recently awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device for saving the life of a civilian community member whose heart had stopped beating after a drug overdose.
Cpl Dennis Mitchell III, USMC
Hero of the Match: April 29, 2023
Originally from Deerfield Beach, Fla., Corporal Dennis Mitchell III enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 2020 and has been assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego since July of 2021. A military dog handler, he was recently awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for saving a father and son from drowning at Coronado Beach.
LCDR Christina Gibson, USN
Hero of the Match: May 13, 2023
A native of Sonora, Calif. and a graduate of Sacramento State University, Lieutenant Commander Christina Gibson was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in 2011 upon completion of Officer Candidate School. She served on USS Nicholas and USS Pearl Harbor before becoming a Public Affairs Officer. Serving in a number of staff roles in the Pacific and Middle East, she is currently assigned as the Public Affairs Officer with Commander, Carrier Strike Group 15 at Naval Base Coronado.
MA1 Justin Mahanic, USN
Hero of the Match: June 9, 2023
A native of Shelbyville, Ind., Petty Officer Hahanic enlisted in 2001. In his time on active duty, he has been assigned to USS John C. Stennis; Naval Station Rota, Spain; Naval Station San Diego, and Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific at Naval Base Kitsap/Bangor in Washington State. Hahanic has completed deployments at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and on land in Afghanistan.
SSgt Stephanie Jordi, USMC
Hero of the Match: June 14, 2023
Originally from Hialeah, Fla., Staff Sergeant Stephanie Jordi enlisted in September of 2012. Her duty stations include Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Camp Pendleton; and Marine Corps Air Sation Yuma, AZ. Jordi also completed an operational deployment to Bahrain. After leaving active duty in 2017, Jordi enlisted in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve in 2019 and was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Jordi is currently a Drill Instructor and Martial Arts Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Capt Misael Cabrera, USAF
Hero of the Match: July 30, 2023
Originally from San Diego, Capt Cabrera was commissioned in May of 2017 after graduating from San Diego State University. He served at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska as well as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base before reporting to his current assignment as an instructor at Air Force ROTC Detachment 075 at San Diego State University.
SGT Samantha Osegura, USA
Hero of the Match: Aug. 5, 2023
Originally from Baldwin Park, Calif., Sergeant Samantha Osegura enlisted in 2014. After completing basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, Osegura served at Camp Humphries, South Korea; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Schoefield Barracks, Hawaii. Osegura is currently assigned to U.S. Army San Diego South Recruiting Company while also completing a bachelor’s degree in health sciences in her off-duty time.
LCpl Darius Builtron, USMC
Hero of the Match: Aug. 9, 2023
Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Lance Corporal Darius Builtron enlisted in January of 2021. Builtron has been stationed at 29 Palms, Calif., and Okinawa, Japan, and recently completed a short deployment to South Korea. Builtron is currently attached to Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton.
MA1 Kaitlyn Killip, USN
Hero of the Match: Aug. 12, 2023
Originally from Riverside, Calif., Petty Officer Killip enlisted in 2009. Killip has twice been stationed at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., as well as Naval Base Coronado. She also completed an overseas tour at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Petty Officer Killip is currently assigned as the Harbor Patrol Unit Leading Petty Officer at Naval Base San Diego, and recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Public Safety.
Sgt Brandon Sheppard, USMC
Hero of the Match: Aug. 19, 2023
Originally from Clarkesville, Tenn., Sgt Sheppard enlisted in 2015. Sheppard has been assigned to Okinawa, Japan and completed deployments to the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Sheppard is currently assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Pendleton.
CMC Greg Via, USCG
Hero of the Match: Sept. 3, 2023
Master Chief Petty Officer Greg Via initially enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1994, and then joined the Coast Guard in September 1996. After serving at numerous duty stations in both the United States and overseas, including his last assignment at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, he is retiring after over 29 years of faithful service to our nation.
LS2 Linda Ochoa, USN
Hero of the Match: Sept. 24, 2023
A native of San Diego and a graduate of Crawford High School, Petty Officer Linda Ochoa enlisted in 2019. Ochoa served at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada before reporting to her current command at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station North Island.
SSgt Justin Sabala, USAF
Hero of the Match: Sept. 30, 2023
A native of Colorado Springs, and a graduate of the University of Maryland, Staff Sergeant Justin Sabala enlisted in September of 2013. Sabala has been stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and Travis AFB in Calif., and has completed deployments to Guam, Spain, and Niger. Sabala is currently assigned as an Air Force recruiter in National City.
YN2 Darius Guess, USN
Hero of the Match: Oct. 7, 2023
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Petty Officer Darius Guess graduated from Veterans Memorial High School and completed initial training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., in 2020. Guess is currently assigned to Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command San Diego.
