Edwards F.C. visits Nellis AFB for friendly match

  • Published
  • By Maj. Oscar Corredor
  • 412th Medical Group
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Edwards Football Club traveled to Las Vegas June 29 for a friendly match against Nellis F.C. Despite record-breaking temperatures over the weekend, both varsity programs performed exceptionally well in their quest to prepare for the upcoming Defender's Cup in San Antonio,Texas, to be played Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

Plenty of water and fluids were made available by the Nellis AFB hosts and the game was played in a non-traditional format of four quarters instead of the customary two halves to allow players for water and cool down breaks.

Nellis F.C. came out on the offensive with plenty of well-orchestrated attacks that culminated in a 3-0 lead against the visiting team during the first half.

Edwards F.C. regrouped during the break and came back at their hosts with an aggressive offensive play and put an end to their lead during the third quarter. With a 3-3 score at the end of the third and temperatures over 100 degrees, coaches and players got together to decide if playing should be continued, then a voice from the Nellis F.C. bench exclaimed, "We can't leave things like this!"  So play continued one last quarter.

Nellis and Edwards F.C.'s gave it all and play was elevated, creating more spectacular opportunities to score on both sides, but ultimately Edwards F.C. claimed victory with a 6-4 win.

A special thanks goes out to Nellis' coach and host Maj. Peter Gbelia and also to Capt. Jay Page for an outstanding job in organizing this game.

Edwards F.C. is looking forward to continue this friendly rivalry which will forge ahead building friendships and developing both varsity programs.

Also a special thank you goes out to the few guest players that supplemented the benches of both teams.

Edwards F.C. varsity players are currently distributed amongst the eight teams participating in Edward's intramural soccer season, which plays games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Wings Field.

The team is also practicing on Thursday nights in preparation for the Antelope Futbol League's Summer/Fall season which will start July 20 and will go on every Saturday at the Lancaster (Calif.) National Soccer Center.

For more information about intramural soccer on Edwards, call (661) 277-2573, or drop by the Rosburg Fitness Center and speak to Steve Lowe, 412th Force Support Squadron, sports director at (661) 275-GYM1.

(All photos courtesy of team member, Civ Julie Clark)