The Collegian

Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Sports

On any given day one can see a fast-paced, high-intensity soccer game taking place on the school's intramural fields. If by chance you stop and watch the game for a moment it isn't hard to see that these games include some talented players. With the recent efforts of a group of students, Hillsdale soccer players will no longer be limited to pick-up games. Spearheaded by sophomores Max Nichols and Joseph Chrisman, Hillsdale will be having an intramural soccer league this fall as well as a club team in the spring.

Senior Sarah Holland has been playing pick-up soccer at the school since her freshman year. She was a member of the last club soccer team at Hillsdale that played in just one game her freshman year. According to Holland, the team consisted of fifteen guys and two girls and won their only game, beating Holy Cross College 7-0. They had difficulty finding teams to play, she said. Eventually they settled on playing against one another on the intramural fields. She believes Hillsdale can field a competitive club team this spring.

"Two players are Olympic development players in Indiana," she said.

The team, which will host tryouts in the spring, recently joined the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference. The league includes many of the Midwest's largest colleges and universities, such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Indiana University, Ohio State University and Northwestern University. The conference is a gentlemen's league but ladies are not barred from participating.

Nichols, like Holland, has high expectations for the team.

"Guys have played in high school and some for clubs," he said. "I think we'll have a great team."

The intramural league will be signing up teams through Sept. 23, according to Chrisman, who serves as the soccer board vice president. Teams consist of five players. The league welcomes male and female players of all experience and skill levels.

It is clear Nichols has a true passion for the game of soccer. He has ambitious plans for Hillsdale's most talented players and also has no qualms about inviting students of all skill levels to come down to the IM fields for what he calls a "kick-about," or a friendly match.

Five years ago Hillsdale's varsity soccer program folded due to a lack of interest. Eventually Nichols would like to see the new club team replace the old varsity squad.
"By my senior year I'd like to see us have varsity status," Nichols said. "That's my goal."

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