The Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton soccer team was recognized at morning colors July 7, 2017, for winning the Camp Pendleton 2017 USAA Commanding General's Cup soccer league title.

"This is huge on a Marine Corps base when the Navy takes the CG's Cup for soccer," said NHCP Commanding Officer Capt. Frank Pearson. "I'm really proud of our team and what they have accomplished."

The hospital's soccer team defeated the Marine Air Group-39 team 2-0 in the championship game July 5, 2017, to cap a perfect season. In a league of 21 teams, the "NHCP Eagles" went undefeated for a 13-0 record.

"Last year we nearly went to the finals, but we got beat in the first game of the playoffs. So this year we did things a little differently which payed off with our win," said team coach Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Manche, a hospital corpsman working as an orthopedic technician at NHCP.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Emmanuel Kumi, a hospital corpsman in the Main Operation Room, had 23 goals on the year which earned him the league's Golden Boot award for the most goals scored by an individual player. "I was the striker which is the guy who's job is to score the goals," explained Kumi. "I was able to score so many goals because of teamwork. We always worked out a strategy before each game and no one was selfish. This is a great group of guys and I'll miss them."

Kumi has been playing soccer since he was seven-years-old. This is his third and final year to play for the hospital team as he is transferring to Walter Reed National Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.

The league's MVP for this season was one of three Marines on the hospital team, Corporal David Ortega a radio operator with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Manche was also selected as the Coach of the Year for the base soccer league. "Playing on this team was a great way to not only stay in shape and have fun, but to get to know people from around the command," said Manche. "I probably wouldn't have met any of these guys if it hadn't been for this team. The CG's Cup has many different games for both teams and individuals. I recommend to everyone to check out the MCCS Athletics website and get involved in the competition." This is his fourth year to play and coach for the team. It will be his last year as he is transferring soon.

The Commanding General's Cup competition provides Marines and sailors aboard MCB Camp Pendleton and other MCI-West Installations sporting events to promote fitness, teamwork, competition, and sportsmanship. All Cup events are FREE and are for active duty personnel only. Each individual or team earns points for competing in events which are awarded to the unit. The top three units in each division will win a cash prize at the end of the year. For more information about the CG's cup visit the Athletics section on the MCCS website at http://www.mccscp.com.

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton is a medium sized teaching hospital providing quality healthcare to active duty and retired Marines, sailors and their families aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and throughout Southern California and Arizona. For more information about NHCP visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/cpen/newsite/Pages/default.aspx.



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