The fate of the 2015 Intramural Soccer League has been decided, and for the second time in as many years, the Title 69ers reign supreme. The calm-headedness and finesse of the 69ers proved too much for their opponents all season, which concluded this Wednesday in true 69er fashion—a shutout against a team that hadn’t previously conceded a goal.
The 69ers have a knack for making the sport look easy, including an 8-0 thrashing semifinal game against the Papi-Chulos. Despite this, the league by no means served these much-coveted IM championship shirts on a silver platter. While speaking to student supervisor sophomore Justin Nguyen before the match, he seemed to think that the win could end up in either teams’ hands. Nguyen went as far as to describe Calm out the Back as a powerhouse team.
Calm out the Back definitely looked tough, particularly in a dominant semifinal game brimming with cold shoulders and chippy attitudes. Though the outcome was only 1-0, the reality was that Calm out the Back governed the game from the opening whistle, keeping the ball in the Lake Titicaca Thunder’s half for almost the entire game.
The championship game, which took place on a brisk, overcast afternoon, was surrounded by a tremendous amount of hype. Chris Starr, the director of campus recreation, admitted that these were the two finest teams in IM sports. Senior and former 69er Parker Moss “PMo” of Calm out the Back declared that it would be the most beautiful game that any player of either team has and will ever take part in. Junior teammate James Raj was also optimistic and particularly motivated by his team’s defeat in the Indoor Futsal championship game last winter, which he aimed not to repeat.
The game started and chances were evenly distributed between the competitors and the experience of the goalies, both former goalies for the CC men’s soccer team, was on full display. Will Hollo of Calm out the Back ripped an early shot that would have counted were it not for opposing goalie Tom Crosby’s best friend: the post.
Ultimately it was the 69ers who drew first blood when senior Collin Hartland lasered a shot past senior Ian Horne for the lead. From there, the 69ers conducted the pace of the game, taking shot after shot and stifling their competitors with their aggressive defense. 69er Sam Elkind, who played despite a nasty case of pinkeye, seemed pleased with his team’s efforts. “As long as we continue to take the majority of chances and keep pressure on the ball, this game will go our way,” he said. And their way it did go.
Shortly before the half, senior Jordan Keny-Guyer extended the lead by another goal. And though Calm out the Back still looked competitive, they were unable to settle down with ball and played a game whose tempo was dictated by the 69ers.
The game was effectively decided midway through the second half by Hartland’s second goal. Though Calm out the Black fought until the last whistle, they fell to the 69ers by 3-0.
Hartland, who was described by his teammates as the MVP, was elated. “There is no better feeling than being a champion. The fact that we did it twice does not take away the feeling,” he said. Hartland didn’t fail to mention his opponent’s “Definitely the most fun game I had all season. It was a hard fought battle. Anyone who is betting money on next year’s early favorites would be ludicrous to not bet on Calm Out The Back.”
When asked how he would be celebrating the victory, Elkind responded, “I plan to celebrate by beginning training for the futsal tournament in which we also have a title to defend.”
It would appear that the 69ers have an insatiable appetite for winning. Hide your shirts, folks.