Inaugural Nellis Cup

The Edwards Football Club Team. Standing from left: Andres “Pancho” Suarez, Airman 1st Class Omar Venegaz-Montes, Senior Airman Nazar “Santi” Santillan-Mondaca, Andrew Neises, Tech. Sgt. Omar Duarte, Senior Airman Tyler Baumann, Maj. Dori Baker, Raina Saccone, Tech. Sgt. Isha Navarro-Carroll, Capt. Joseph Reno. Sitting from left to right: Staff Sgt. Dennis Franske, Maj. Oscar Corredor, Airman 1st Class Adam Ayala, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mendez, Julie Clark, Tech. Sgt. Hector Fernandez. Not pictured: 2nd Lt. Mike Estacion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Peter Gbelia)

Edwards competes in Inaugural Nellis Cup

Published April 16, 2013
By Maj. Oscar Corredor
412th Medical Group

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Varsity soccer teams from various Air Force bases converged at Nellis, Air Force Base, Nev., for the "Inaugural Nellis Cup" April 13 to 14. Edwards AFB was represented by the Edwards Football Club team coached by Maj. Oscar Corredor, 412th Medical Group, and assistant coaches Tech. Sgt. Omar Duarte, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, and Steve Lowe, 412th Force Support Squadron sports director.

Edwards F.C. played five games in its battle for the Cup and played superior during the tournament, dominating play and creating multiple opportunities to score during each of its games, but as with many sports, it is not always the best team that wins but the team that scores more goals. Edwards F.C. captured 3rd Place Sunday afternoon after a heated clash against Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., with a 3-1 win.

Ultimately, the host Nellis F.C. Thunderbirds, led by coach Maj. Peter Gbelia, won the Inaugural Nellis Cup on a decisive 3-0 win over Luke AFB's team. The team wants to express its gratitude to the Edwards Officers' Spouses' Club for donating the team's tournament's entry fee, and to our host Nellis AFB and tournament organizer Gbelia for an outstanding job in orchestrating what will surely become the Air Force's premier Futbo tournament on the West Coast!

Coach Corredor notes the team is currently competing in the Antelope Futbol League which plays games every Saturday at the Lancaster National Soccer Complex in Lancaster, Calif., and is looking forward to competing in late August at the Defender's Cup in San Antonio hosted by Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The Defender's Cup also showcases talent to the All Air Force Soccer coaching staff and we're hopeful a few of our players will be invited to the "All AF" tryouts in September. Edwards F.C. practices on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Wings Field 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and practices are open to everyone interested in the team or those that just want to do some exercise and improve their soccer skills.