Intramural Update: Finalizing the Soccer Bracket

Weather delays may have set some games back, but the regular season is officially over. Here is all that happened.

Women’s

Gamma Rho locked up the one seed after a huge win over Lambda Chi Zeta. Gamma’s pressure at the midfield opened up more attacking opportunities, and their ability to score with one less player on the field due to a red card shows that they are the clear favorite to win the soccer season.

Another team that stepped up this week were the freshmen. Despite lacking depth like Lamba or Gamma and instead relying on their starting nine to play out the entire game, they have been successful at getting the job done with huge wins over Theta Theta Theta and Lambda. Using aggressive pressing at the midfield to open up attacking opportunities, the freshmen will be looking to finally win their first A league all year. 

The playoff schedule will play out as follows: Gamma Rho will play Theta Theta Theta at 9:00 PM this Monday, April 14. The freshmen will play Lambda Chi Zeta right after at 10:00 PM.

Men’s

Kappa Sigma Tau had two games to finish out their regular season, but came out behind both. Losing to both Chi Lambda Phi and the freshmen class will leave them as the four seed entering playoffs, a position none desire. They still pack a tough and determined roster, but will need to combine their offensive highlights from the season with a tough defensive play that can limit some of the scoring other teams have been able to achieve.

No other A league games were played this week, here are the playoff seedings: the one seeded freshmen class will play the four seed Kappa Sigma Tau at 7:00 today, April 14. Following up will be two seed Delta Gamma Sigma vs three seed Chi Lambda Phi at 8:00. 

The freshmen have confident wins over Delta and Kappa, and minus an odd goal given up against each, have been defensive juggernauts that can outrun any other team. Delta’s top end talent of Luke Ferguson and Leandre Tucker will be key if they are to make another playoff run. Jay Cordonnier did his part in the net with several saves and zero goals given up against Chi, but his absence since that game leaves a lot for Delta to figure out moving forward. Meanwhile, Chi’s starting keeper Cole Klaassen has played well, only giving up two goals against A teams. But Klaassen has also been splitting playtime in the net with Damien Talamentes, and with Klaassen pairing well with both Chi’s attack and defense, it is unsure where he will go. Chi fills the rest of the lineup well with Cotter Hensal on the backline, Landon Parker in the midfield, and Carter Neal on the wing. 

Women’s Intramural Athlete of the Week: Nikki King (Freshmen)

After running up the score against Theta and taking over as a forward, Nikki King (center) took over as a key defender against Lambda, allowing them only one goal all game. Combining speed, ball handling, shooting, and marking all into one player allows her to excel at any position. The freshmen are one win away from making their third A league championship this year, and King will be looking to complete that goal.

First Runner Up: Katie McCullock (Gamma Rho)

Using her speed to earn steals from midfield, Katie McCullock is a tough player to avoid. If a tough defender who possesses top notch passing skills was not scary enough, McCullock also doubles as one of the best shooters in the game. The best part from her goal against Lambda? McCullock had to curl it from outside of the box, all while down a teammate. Gamma has more than deserved the one seed in playoffs, and McCullock is workinghard to keep them on top of the league after.

Second Runner Up: Sydney Hampton (Lambda Chi Zeta)

Using her speed to pressure defensive lines, Sydney Hampton has proven herself time and time again this season. Few defenders can stay with her, and once she can get around them it is almost guaranteed that a shot is going off. With playoffs officially here, Lambda will be relying on Hampton to break past defenses if they want to make a push for gold.

Men’s Intramural Athlete of the Week: Landon Parker (Chi Lambda Phi)

Combining quick runs, aggressive defense, and incredible shot making opportunities into one player gets you pretty close to who Landon Parker is. Parker’s pressure and touch with the ball makes him a player all clubs wish they had, and his vision on the field has helped create opportunities for himself and his teammates. With a big semifinal game coming up, expect Parker to be a key deciding factor in who goes on to the championship. 

First Runner Up: Cole Klaassen (Chi Lambda Phi)

Normally, a regular season with multiple saves and only two goals given up would make someone an automatic pick for the all-intramural team as goalie. Senior Cole Klaassen, however, has also proven himself as one of the best forwards in the league. From stylish finishes to aggressive header attempts, Klaassen has proven that he is one of the best at his position, whetherthat is at the front or the back of the pitch. Like all teams, Chi has to figure out how they are going to get past the semifinal round. But unlike most teams, Chi has to decide how Klaassen is going to play his part.

Second Runner Up: Will Mattocks (Freshmen)

A lanky midfielder who can do it all, Will Mattocks has played a key role in the freshmen’s dominance this year. From winning tackles, to pushing on attack, to shooting, there is not a lot Mattocks cannot do. With playoffs officially here, Mattocks is set on giving the freshmen their first A league championship all school year.