Last quarter, The Spectator covered a Seattle University intramural soccer duo’s five-season winning streak in an article that ended with a call to action, imploring someone to intervene and end the team’s streak. As it turns out, that someone was Third-year Marketing Major Preman Rami.

Rami and his team, Fellas, reclaimed their crown in a climactic fall quarter win that ended Gabe Albert and Owen Abbott’s five-season win streak. Fellas, established in the fall quarter of 2022, suffered a betrayal a year after its formation when Albert and Abbott broke away, taking players and besting Rami and his team three seasons in a row.

The fall quarter season was a dominant one for the Fellas. They were the only undefeated team heading into the final, and Rami stated that he could count the goals his team conceded throughout the season on one hand. The final matchup was a blur for Rami.

“I just remember it being really intense… but I don’t even remember who we played,” Rami said.

Owen Abbott, a third-year computer science major, repudiated Rami’s claim. His team was the one that lost to Fellas in the final—a much different outcome from the last time they faced each other in an intramural final.

“Preman told you he forgot who he played in the finals. That’s a ploy. He knows exactly who he played in the finals,” Abbott said.

The final was decisively won. Gabe Albert, a third-year political science major, was proud of Rami and his team and knew they were the better team before the game was over.

“Preman I actually shaked [sic] your hand before the game even ended, to say good job,” Albert said. “I think he really enjoyed that win. He posted about it, like, at least three times.”

Albert previously shared that the core value that enabled their unlikely victories was passion. This informed everything; from signing decisions to the team’s behavior in games. When it comes to the Fellas, Rami has a familiar philosophy that underpins his approach to intramural soccer. As to be expected from a marketing major, his Albers-honed tact shone through when asked about the split.

“We united together as a unit of passion, and when they separated from that unit, it created disparities,” Rami said.

The thrill of victory is significant for Rami. A source close to Rami, who requested to remain anonymous, said that a loss can ruin Rami’s whole week. After his loss to Albert’s team the previous year, Rami allegedly sprinted back to his apartment, channeling his emotions over the loss into running home.

This season, Rami is emboldened by his team’s triumph. He guarantees the Fellas will win again.

“There’s nothing you can change about that. It’s like destiny,” Rami said.

One player’s passion is so strong that he struggles to align himself with a single team. Zach Hochstein, a third-year interdisciplinary arts major, has played for both Fellas and Albert’s team. Hochstein does not have the same view of the upcoming season that Rami does.

“Preman doesn’t know destiny. What does Preman know? He’s a smart guy, but I don’t think he knows destiny,” Hochstein said.

This season, Hochstein will be playing for the latter after work commitments sidelined him the previous season.

“My absence affected the team. I wasn’t there, and we didn’t win, so that says something,” Hochstein said.

The name of Hochstein’s team has yet to be decided. While the captains are still ruminating, Albert teased that the team may adopt a beaver-based name, inspired by a class project idea of Abbott’s.

“Beavers are actually really good at grabbing things,” Albert said, with Hochstein corroborating, “They’re the only animals that change their surroundings except for humans.”

The two teams met Jan. 10 for a scrimmage at SU Park. The exchanges between members of the two teams made it clear that for all the talk of rivalry and debate over the inevitability of the upcoming season’s outcome, they keep coming back together because they love to play together, even if Rami doesn’t outwardly admit it.

“If it’s right before a match, I’m not talking to [Albert]. He’s not my friend at that time. He can be my friend after we win,” Rami said.

Toward the end of the scrimmage, a wry grin crossed Abbott’s face as we watched Rami and company play.

“Can I drop a little rumor?” Abbott asks. “I heard one of the Fellas’ biggest players is gonna take another huge player from the Fellas and form their own team. I don’t think Preman knows about this at all.”

Abbott was unable to share the identities of these players publicly. Rami’s game-winning team composition just might be in jeopardy, and there just might be a new team vying for the title soon.