By Jocelyn Sterling
What has eight arms, two tentacles, and is over 30 feet in length? A colossal squid. What has 14 players, matching uniforms, and a team motto? The Colossal Squids.
The Division II team, The Colossal Squids, is one of 21 teams involved with University of Portland intramural soccer this spring semester. The second most popular sport, shortly behind five on five basketball, soccer is arguably the most exciting to participate in and watch, according to junior Intramural Coordinator Katherine Miller.
Miller thinks this is so because UP is a soccer school.
"Even if they do not play soccer for the school, many students have played soccer in the past and get excited at the UP soccer games," Miller said. "Bringing that excitement into their intramural games makes the leagues even more competitive."
This semester is only the second season the games have been played on the turf field. This also enhances the excitement of the games, as there is professional lighting and the ability to play in any weather condition.
The Colossal Squids have taken the professionalism a step further and is the only team to have matching, official uniforms. The pink tank tops and blue short shorts that don the field on Squid game nights is a sight to be seen.
"We can't reiterate the 'short' aspect of the shorts," sophomore Aaron Davis said. "They allow us to be agile and provide more ventilation. Plus they help show as much skin as possible."
The team members said that the uniforms help team building and self esteem, as it reinforces "looking good."
Although the team is highly professional with their matching short shorts, they have yet managed to win a single game in their two year existence. However, this does not seem to be a concern for the Squid players.
"It depends how you define 'winning,'" said sophomore co-captain Cameron Keilty-Lucas. "We have the most fun on the field and always leave every game smiling. That's winning to us."
The team is mostly concerned with having a good time, and before every game they have a gathering with all the players and fans, including a beginning of the year potluck to kick off the season. The team is proud of their team chemistry and their bond on and off of the field.
"Around campus I never pass people on the team and don't say 'hey squid,"' sophomore Timmy Trabon said.
Fellow player, sophomore Logan Meade, said, "We even have fans come and watch our team every game. We have quite the cult following."
Trabon says that the team has improved greatly since last year, and their endurance is strengthening with each game. Still, the Squids must first conquer their battle with the referees, as the team does not get along with them. A fan has even almost been ejected from the game due to "mouthing off."
For the Squids, however, nothing is more important than "looking good and staying positive," which is part of their team motto.
Although the Division I team Bonesaw doesn't have team uniforms and doesn't boast about its fans, the players are more experienced and competitive.
According to the team captain, senior Heather Deedman, the team is comprised of players who have played soccer for several years. More than striving for wins, however, the team comes together to have fun.
"We don't usually get to hang out during the year because we're all so busy," Deedman said. "So the games are a chance to get together and catch up. It's really a bonding experience."
The team has experienced a few hiccups along the way, losing players to illness and injury. One of the main injuries of the season occurred when one player accidentally took out a fellow player.
Seniors Justus Green and Lisa Diaz were both going for a ball when they collided, resulting in a pulled ligament and weeks on crutches for Diaz. This also caused the Bonesaws to lose two players, as Diaz was unable to play and Green refused to continue on.
However, the team pulled through the hardship and is hoping to make it far in the season.
Whatever the outcome of either of these teams, one thing is for sure: they will have fun and bond with the family that is their intramural soccer team.
