Three years ago, current Bellarmine junior Carson Dent made a life-changing decision: hanging up his boots. And not just any Hunter or Ugg boots, but his soccer boots.

Dent’s decision derived not from a lack of passion, but simply a lack of time: “My music was just starting. I thought it was time to make a decision.”

Since that fateful decision, Dent has enjoyed a successful music career as a member of multiple bands and traveling across country for performances. He believes he chose wisely due to his busy schedule; however, he has never considered it an easy, or even a final decision.

Dent repeatedly thought, “Being on the field, playing with my friends, having a great time, was absolutely something I wanted to do again.”

Although he left the game, Dent never truly left the memories of glory and triumph. These reminiscences continued to absorb Dent’s daydreams until he realized what his heart and soul urged him to do: make those dreams a reality. After serious contemplation, Dent made his move. He possessed the desire—he only needed the people. Dent planned to return in style, surrounded by the best players he could find.

When he finished discussions and negotiations with several Bellarmine students, Dent felt more than satisfied. “This team is absolutely fantastic. It’s like an all star team I’m playing with, basically.”

Dent called his players in biblical fashion. He issued the invitation, and they gave up everything to follow him, committing their lives to the fair play cause. Even Bellarmine senior Robert Nurmi, who plays for Washington Premier Football Club as well, readily signed with Fair Play United during the preseason.

“It’s just a good group of lads. It’s just a good team,” said Nurmi simply.

Dent, as captain, also knew he required some assistance in leading the squad. After considering several candidates such as Jose Mourinho, Pete Carroll and Joe Waters, the club discovered the perfect match: Bellarmine junior Ryan Jones.

Jones decided he could handle the high pressure position. And so far, he says, he has enjoyed every part of it.

“It’s great seeing the lads grow, not only in skill, but also in character. We have an incredibly technical team. Very sharp, very fast players and playing style.”

Fair Play United has attracted more than staff, however. After all, what’s a team without fans?

“The players to me are like superheroes. They’re so inspirational,” said Bellarmine junior and head of the Fair Play United Supporters Club, Claire McCarthy. “I feel like Alfred; They are my batman, and I’m there to encourage and just make sure they’re to their full potential and ready to play.”

This solidarity and passion grows more evident the more a person speaks to those involved with Fair Play. Players and fans alike feel unified in their common team and leader.

“One of my main inspirations for playing comes from knowing that my captain will follow me into the mists of Avalon,” said Bellarmine junior, equipment manager and player Max Hilger.

Unsuspectedly, however, a cloud grew over the excitement and hubbub surrounding Fair Play: a rival team called Unfair Play United. Beginning as a mere rumor, it prompted laughs from many members of the Fair Play organization, but the fledgling team remained unfazed by others’ incredulity and continued on their mission. When Fair Play realized the seriousness of Unfair Play, tensions mounted and quickly erupted.

“This team is a disgrace,” declared Dent, discussing his rivals. “All they did was form their team when they saw our side. It’s a good joke and I’m looking forward to destroying. It’s not our responsibility to make them feel happy about themselves. We will be ruthless.”

Bellarmine junior and Fair Play United player Nik Axtel echoed the sentiment. He had a simple comment concerning Unfair Play United: “They have a storm coming.”

The manager and captain of Unfair Play United, Bellarmine senior David Vanderwall, remained calm amid the onslaught of Fair Play United attacks. “Our name happened to be a mere coincidence,” explained Vanderwall when addressing similarities of the clubs’ names. “This is our own creation of the best Bellarmine athletes, nothing like that mediocre Fair Play. And Unfair Play is more than athletic people; we’re full of student athletes who prove their strength both on and off the field.”

The two rivals have exchanged blows over social media, but they have yet to pick a date to do so on the pitch. They plan to schedule a scrimmage before entering the Tacoma Indoor Soccer Center’s Fall league.

Whenever they meet, their game will mean much more than the average outing. The competition of the clubs represents not a battle between teams, but a showdown of ideologies, ways of life.

“We have a term for our ideology: ADS, which stands for athleticism, dedication, and spirituality,” explained Bellarmine junior and Fair Play United vice captain Henri Desimone. “We meditate together so that we can share a communal experience, but we also find ourselves along the way, much like in a game.” Thinking of whether Fair Play United changed his life or not, Desimone responded resolutely, “I can’t think of a facet in which it didn’t