GOOOOOOOO.....

Steds A and Big Cats: Gentlemen all around

....AAAAAAAAAAL! The much anticipated Steds Derby did not disappoint. With Steds soccer teams, Steds A and Big Cats (Steds B), taking the pitch at Ricci Fields, the match saw gentleman against gentleman in what has to be the biggest campus intra-hall rivalry. No doubt, each side was playing for keeps with every possible advantage taken and exploited. Steds A, heavily favored, had a deep bench of talent with Conal Fagan, Steds senior, resident Irishman and one time walk on ND soccer player, at the helm. On the other side, the Pride, Big Cats, was lead by Ben Merrick, Steds senior and weekend pickup soccer player, and Josh Chapple, Steds senior and podcast star. While the Big Cats may not be A team material, what they lacked in technical skills they made up in spirit.

As the game unfolded, the two teams were evenly match in almost every respect. Steds A team pushed, and Big Cats scratched back. The Big Cats pounced, and Steds A side stepped. It was the proverbial seesaw. Finally, with regular play ending with 0, 0, the game moved to penalty kicks. In the end, Josh Gambradella, Steds senior, scored, securing both an upset win for Big Cats and his place as a Big Cats soccer legend forever. 

On his winning goal, Gambardella said, “When I was called upon by my fellow cats to step up and make the final penalty kick, I knew I just had to make it happen. Celebrating that win with my brothers was a moment I’ll never forget. But all the credit goes to the entire team for setting me up with that opportunity, especially coaches Ben Merrick and Josh Chapple. It was a great way to cap off my time with the Big Cats in uniform. However, once a Big Cat, always a Big Cat. Rumpleteazer (his Pride name) out!”  

On the Derby, Fagan shared, "“Another fantastic occasion. Some would say it was the highlight of the year, particularly getting to grace the field for one last time with Tommy Huber in the Steds colors. All credit to the Big Cats for making this the most difficult fixture in recent history. I don’t know if there’ll be many which will top this one.”

And thanks to MaryEllen Gambardella, here is the winning goal, a must see video. CLICK HERE

BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE...

Here's the next installment... In the Red Room... a Hall podcast bringing you the life and times of Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Edward's, from, well, you guessed it... the Red Room at St. Ed's. To listen, click HERE.