For over 20 years, Villa Maria Hall and Christie Hall have come head-to-head in an annual soccer derby. The tradition will continue, with this year’s matchup taking place on April 6 at 10 a.m. on Merlo Field.
Despite constant practices and plenty of determination, Christie Hall has yet to win a game, leaving Villa Maria with an undefeated streak for the entirety of the event’s existence.
Although the historical rivalry between the dorms has gradually become a much friendlier one, residents of both halls take this event as an opportunity to revive the competitiveness, according to Christie Hall Director Nicholas Guiney.
“Last year, we really tried to squash the hatred [between the two dorms],” Guiney said. “But I think that just joking and jiving and reviving the rivalry is fun for the event, especially because of the history.”
To defend their title, Villa Maria’s team has been preparing for the match on and off since September, with practices becoming more consistent in the spring. The training sessions, called “Villa Soccer,” are one of the hall’s weekly events hosted by Resident Assistant Quinn Cottrill. Having won every game played to date, Villa Maria plans to keep the winning streak going.
“We don't know how good Christie’s team is this year, but I think Villa does have a pretty good team,” Cottrill said. “I respect both of them, but I think we have the edge.”
Similarly, Christie has been hosting informal training sessions throughout the semester called “Christie Kicks,” and is preparing to take the win. Rowen Lowery, Christie Hall president and team captain, thinks the game will be a close one.
A Villa Maria Hall player stretches during practice for the derby.
“[Villa Maria] practices hard for this event, and I respect their commitment to it, but we also take it seriously, you know?” Lowery said. “I think in terms of athletic abilities, our teams are very evenly matched. In terms of the spirit of the game, both teams really put our hearts into it and so I think it's just gonna come down to that.”
Besides fostering community between the two dorms, the event, which is mostly organized by students, gives players the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills.
“If I planned an event that Christie's putting on, students might show up and have fun, but if they plan it, they take pride in it,” Guiney said. “It's super cool to see them take pride in forming this team, practicing, talking to different players, all of it. It's fun to see students get into that and also see leadership growth.”
While winning the game might be on everyone’s mind, both teams acknowledge that the end goal of the match is to foster community within each dorm and with each other.
“I would say it's probably one of the most cherished traditions between those dorms,” Cottril said. “I think it's a testament of both dorms and the historic mark they've left on the campus. To be able to come together and put on an event for other people to watch, I think it's pretty cool.”
The university has strict policies on who can step onto Merlo Field, so players in the derby feel lucky to get to play on such a pristine field.
“My favorite part is getting to experience playing on Merlo Field,” Cottrill said. “I mean, athletics and the university are very protective over that field, so to be honored to be one of the few people outside of athletics that get to play on that field is pretty special.”
Samantha Zavala is a news reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at zavala27@up.edu.
