Junior Peyton Hutchinson plays for the Protestant team in El Clasico. Courtesy | Carissa Nisly

The Protestants triumphed over the Catholics 2-0 in Campus Rec’s annual “El Clasico” soccer game Oct. 27, preserving their title as champions for a second year. 

“It’s just incredible to see the most amount of people you’ll ever see at a soccer game,” said sophomore Nathan Furness, who led the Protestant team. “It’s especially amazing considering it’s been 180 minutes of game play throughout two years with zero goals from the Catholics.”

A sea of students, though divided by clothing color and doctrinal beliefs, united at Hayden Park’s turf field Oct. 27 to cheer on their fellow Christians.

“I love the fact that we can do this, and it’s all in good fun,” Protestant freshman Maya Miller said. “Everyone’s just having a good time, and they’re trash talking each other, but it’s your best friend just across the Reformation aisle.”

The game carried high stakes, according to head coach of the Protestant team sophomore Peter Gilchrist.

“As much as we like to argue and everything, this is where the theological debates really hit the road,” Gilchrist said. “Whenever you’re having that discussion with that one fundie in your class, or those discussions with your roommate late at night about theology, this is really where you get to see, truly, what the underlying metal of the people who believe each one is.”

Both teams successfully defended their goals for the first half of the game. Catholics gained morale with an appearance of the “pope” at halftime. A shouting crowd of Catholics in their maroon sweatshirts split to make an aisle way for the “pope”— junior Aidan Christian in a pope costume.

According to junior Patrick Hamilton, the procession included a lap around the field.

“The pope had to make his grand entrance, so we did a quick lap in a golf cart around the field,” Hamilton said. “We did a big entrance onto the field. He made a declaration.”

Christian proceeded to wrestle Assistant Professor of History Jason Gerkhe on the field after his declaration. Christian lost. Hamilton thanked security staff members and coach Bill Lundberg for allowing the papal procession to happen and for providing the facilities.

Tides turned quickly in the second half as the Protestants broke the tie, scoring two goals just minutes apart from each other. Senior Nathan Ummel brought in the first goal for the Protestants at the 43rd minute. Sophomore Jianna Coppola followed shortly after, scoring at the 48th minute.

“I want the Protestants to score one more time, so that they make three goals, the holy number,” sophomore Wendy Swem said as she cheered on her team.

Slighting cheers and trash talk rang through both the Catholic maroon crowd and the crowd of multicolor-clad Protestants. A strong “We love Mary” chant from the Catholic side received a loud response of “We love Jesus” from Protestant fans. 

“I think this game is very telling,” junior Nathan Stanish said. “I haven’t seen this many dirty tactics from the Catholics since the Council of Trent. I’m just saying these Catholics are probably getting an extra 10 years in purgatory after this game.”

Catholic supporters felt the blow after the Protestants’ two goals, but kept their eyes on salvation, according to Hamilton. 

“Obviously it’s hard to see that the Catholics are down 2-0, it’s difficult,” Hamilton said. “But we got faith, you know, faith and works. It’s not just faith alone. These guys think that moving the soccer ball is only by faith, and as you can see, it’s not. So in the long run, it’ll be good, you know, and we’ll see them in Purgatory, and that’s when we’ll have the real matchup.”

Hamilton said both men and women on the Protestant team play for the club soccer teams. He wanted an even playing field.

“Just play us on the basketball court,” Catholic sophomore Joseph Brecount said. “We’ve been asking you time and time again. I think you’re ducking us to this point, so come out and face your punishment.”

Amongst multiple denominations, Protestants united to bring their team victory.

“I love how the Protestants were all unified together, unified around one thing,” freshman Grace Novak, a Protestant supporter, said.

Junior Lucy Treene said the Protestant win has bigger theological implications. 

“We’ve proven through our win that you just need the basics,” Treene said. “You don’t need no costumes, no sweatshirts. You don’t need no tailgate, no flag. You come as you are before the Lord.” 

Junior Jude Barton, head coach for the Catholic team, said he looks forward to next year despite the loss.

“We fought hard,” Barton said. “The boys and girls fought well. We had some great chances, especially in the second half, but we’ll be coming back stronger next year.”