Every year for the last five years, Villa Maria Hall and Christie Hall have competed for the coveted Derby trophy to see which dorm reigns supreme in the sport the University of Portland is most famous for: soccer.
Sunday afternoon on Merlo Field, the two rival dorms squared off again.
“This game is a lot of fun,” Christie Hall Director Nathan Widdicombe said. “It’s fun to see the guys play and have a competitive game of soccer with our brothers across campus.”
Today’s game marked the sixth annual Derby match. Villa was looking to defend its title. Christie, however, wanted to put an end to its rivals’ reign, and took the field with a strong sense of vengeance.
Representatives from both dorms announced the starting lineups and Pilot players served as coaches. It was a lively-affair: The national anthem was played. Fans cheered in the stands. Villa Dads were in town for Dad’s weekend. The Villa Drum Squad and even men’s soccer head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt looked on as the game begun.
Christie took an early lead when junior Daniel Rothschilds scored the first goal of the game. However, the lead didn’t last long, as Villa tied the game with a goal from senior, and team captain, Bryce Birchfield.
The game remained neck-and-neck, but then Villa scored again when sophomore Aaron Banobi scored for the second time in his Villa/Christie Derby career.
At halftime, the score was 2-1 in favor of Villa Maria, and they found the back of the net once more when Banobi scored his second goal of the game.
“It’s an amazing feeling to play in this game,” Banobi said.
The game ended with a 3-1 win for Villa.
“It was very exciting bringing the (Villa) drums to the game,” Villa Maria Hall Director Matthew Connolly said. “It was great having the dads there, too.”
Villa takes home its sixth straight Derby trophy to remain undefeated in the annual campus tradition.
