International Students’ Association women’s indoor soccer team dominated this fall in the two-week indoor soccer tournament. The team took first place for the third year in a row.
“There’s between five and seven teams in the tournament every year, so it’s pretty small and it makes the season really short,” said Julia Mongin, senior finance major from Jaunay-Clan, France.
The competition is always difficult, despite the short season and small list of teams.
“We’re usually in the finals, and it’s tight every year for the championship game,” said Evelin Vermont, senior psychology and Christian ministry major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Both of the girls played on the winning team for the past three years, which has gone through its own changes.
“Every year, there’s a few different people but this year several people graduated or went back to their countries, so there was a definite change,” Vermont said.
Every team must pay an entrance fee, and ISA pays up just like everyone else.
“We pay like every other team, and it’s definitely worth it,” Vermont said.
The quick indoor season is competitive but still has a social aspect.
“Indoor soccer season is really short, just like two weeks, so indoor soccer has fewer teams in the tournament,” said Vermont.
The girls have enjoyed getting to know other groups and other people on their own team.
“A lot of our team is international but we also have Americans on our team, so it’s fun to interact,” said Vermont.
The three years of domination have not always come easy for the women’s team.
“Last year, we played back-to-back games for the title, like 10 minutes apart, and we had to win both of them,” said Vermont. “We ended up pulling out with the win, but it was a great time.”
“It’s exciting when we go back on the court, and to win three times in a row is awesome,” said Mongin.
The girls both graduate this year and are more than satisfied with their indoor soccer record.
“I hope that the team will stay together and welcome new international people to continue the tradition,” said Mongin, “but I believe the most important thing is that they will continue to have fun all together.”
