By Bethany Peterson/reporter
New Era, Last Minute, Choco-Taco Uno and the TCC Wildcats each earned a spot in the Oct. 27 playoffs for NW Campus’ three-week intramural soccer league title.
The playoff winner will represent NW Campus in the District Cup soccer championship.
Choco-Taco Uno secured its playoff spot Oct. 22, the last day of league play. Hot Shots’ forfeit gave Choco-Taco Uno the one point it needed to advance.
Good spirits and daring craziness dominated the following scrimmage game.
Jessica Blas’ triumphant squeal announced her goal for Choco-Taco Uno and brought a round of applause from bystanders.
“I have always played defense. That was my first goal,” Blas said after the game.
Later, a Choco-Taco Uno player and the Hot Shots’ goalkeeper played ping-pong, batting the ball back and forth three times before it finally flew into the net.
Last Minute advanced to the playoff undefeated after Ramrod forfeited Oct. 22. Last Minute won the scrimmage despite tough competition.
The TCC Wildcats have the only other undefeated record in the league.
The Wildcats won Oct. 22 against Choco-Taco Dos by forfeit.
The TCC Wildcats beat New Era 7-1 Oct. 20.
The Hot Shots forfeited to Last Minute and CD Olympia vs. Choco-Taco Dos game was a double forfeit.
No competitions were played Oct. 21. The Choco-Taco Uno vs. Ramrod game was a double forfeit as was the Killer Kleats vs. Team Awesome match. Quicksilver got the night’s only win point when the Sidekicks forfeited.
Looking back on the league, players noted several differences between the league’s indoor style and the familiar outdoor style.
“You don’t have all the space. Everything happens quick,” said Marcos Romero about the smaller indoor field and its effect on the game.
Romero also said the indoor ball moves faster and bounces more than the larger, heavier outdoor ball.
Jonquial Flake, a Wildcats player, contrasted the league’s 20-minute games with the regular 90-minute games.
“You don’t get tired as quick,” Flake said.
The league also fostered friendships among the players and not just between teammates.
Players often joined for other teams during scrimmages and came early to watch other games.
But the ribbing and tough competition didn’t dampen spirit.
“We’re all friends when the game’s over,” said Luis Villegas.
The league also included students from other campuses like Romero, a TR Campus student, who came to the NW Campus league because his campus does not currently have a soccer league.
