Going into Friday, we were supposed to have 14 teams. We were down to 12 by the end of Friday. After re-doing pools and brackets, we ended up getting things ready to go for Saturday. We were originally planning on splitting X/Y, but after re-arranging the brackets, found that we should combine, simply because a 12 team tournament is nicer than a 13 team tournament, frankly. EC Chillout is a good tournament to get newbs some playing time and do lots of teaching. I was really excited that some new teams, like Stevens Point and Northern Michigan were coming, because it's a chance for them to get lots of points for their players.
Round 1 vs. St. Bens Ugly Hucklings
The ladies of St. Bens teamed up with the ladies of Drake. SOL came out a little flat, lacking some enthusiasm. I felt like many of our points were going in slow motion. We got it together, and were able to connect deep for quick transitions, taking advantage of mismatches. Final score: SOL 13, Ugly Hucklings 1.
Round 2 vs. Macalester Snatchers
Mac is a team of nice girls, who always bring energy and fun. They typically have a larger team, but due to mid-terms for them starting on Monday, their team was unable to to field a lot of numbers. Their handlers are confident and move the disc well. SOL was able to pick up the D. Many SOLmates had layout Ds and run-through D's galore. Final Score: SOL 13, Snatchers 1.
Round 3 vs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point Shockwave
Point is a new team, filled with promise. Coached by former Eauzone handler Alex Kensgaard, Shockwave is learning a ton. The past few years had been rough for Shockwave to get commited players, but after some good recruiting efforts, the squad led by Emily Karoblis and Candace Z had some good numbers and the real desire to improve. Megan Nimmo from the UofM Ninjas joined them for the game also, making a few great layout grabs. SOL played lots of cup D, causing quick turns and quick transitions. Estelle Taquet turned up her D; while SOL cutters were busting deep. Final score: SOL 13, Shockwave 1.
Tournament Dinner
I'm not really sure how many relatively bigger fall tournaments still serve a hot dinner to every team and player. It's always a scramble to cook 600+ hot dogs, a ton of beans, and get things set up to serve 200-300 people. Somehow, we do it every single year. It's a ridiculous prodution, to say the least. Emy, Tracie, and I were fishing for hot dogs in the boiling water atop the giant bunsen-burner style roaster, while Mariah and Baby Glades were running them back and forth to the pots in the kitchen. Heather was hit in the face with exploding baked bean cans...ha ha. Brownie and Estelle were separating buns. It was an extremely fun, and stressful time. Thanks to Matt Dassow for making 18+ lbs of pasta salad. :)
Quarter finals vs. Winona State Bad Monaz
The Monaz came off of a close game against St. Thomas. The Monaz, led by limbo all-star Hailey Bronson, have a good deep game. SOL came out fired as we've ever been playing good man and zone D, switching it up. The communication between the deep and mid-mid was exceptional, with Whitney Esson being a run-through D machine. Final score: SOL 13, Monaz 1.
Semi Finals vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Blackcat
Blackcat's core players have been playing together for a few years. Handlers Lexi Bond and Sara Pournoor have great hucks, and cutters Alyssa Justesen, Sarah Schramm, Holly Lisowski, and Alina Nikogosyan have great hands. SOL came out in zone D again, knowing that we had to pressure their handlers to get turns, and that is exactly what we did. There was this time that I tried to jump off of the side of my foot...hmm, not so successful, and the next thing I know I'm crawling off of the field with a lightly-sprained ankle. Oh well, the game must go on. Tracie Anderson turned up her D, putting extra pressure in the cup. SOL came out on top, 13 to 4.
Championships vs. Luther College Gangsta Bitches
...so, okay, I know they don't have an official name, but Sanna Beek said it's their unofficial name. It's a true story. They for sure have some awesome players who live up to that name, especially handlers. Bringing an impressively huge squad (30+ players), Luther has some good potential again this year to surprise some great teams with their disciplined handlers who have great hucks, and effort that helps them come up with ridiculously athletic grabs. SOL came out in zone, getting three quick, unanswered points. Whit Esson, again was coming up with great D's. Our wings turned it up, led by Martha Harris and Rachel Culver getting some awesome D's too. On O, Luther started out with a straight up mark, taking advantage of their height and expansive wingspans. SOL handlers were able to take advantage of breaks and work the disc up the field. However, Luther called a time-out and came out scoring 2 back-to-back points, and a zone D. Handlers had to get good lateral disc movement, and as a result was able to get the disc moving again. Melissa Jordan was using her ridiculous speed to get open deep, with handlers putting it to her. Also, quite noteworthy, there were three points scored off of hammers over the cup. Final score, SOL 13, Luther 6.
Following the championship game, Luther and SOL faced off in the most epic game of "Princess, Pole, Tandem." It was three people left, and the call was "Cowboy." Hannah Glader crawled up the back of a Luther girl and was eliminated. Priceless.
We cleaned up the fields and went to cheer on the Eauzone alum team, "Oldzone," in the mens championship against Duluth. It was a great, hard fought game, with Duluth coming out on top 13-11.
Next stop, Midwest Warmup.
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Women's Ultimate Team
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
No Wisconsequences 09: Make 'Em Say "Uhhhh, Na-na na na"
On Friday night, everyone piles into Jess Haller's house...and by pile, I mean sprawled with room to spare. SOL brought a decent sized team, however was very short on handlers, with Iansa Zaldarriaga, Ashley Steiner, and Amy Brown M.I.A. on the weekend. But it was cool that our coach, Pat Niles, was coming down to help us out.
SATURDAY-POOL PLAY
We went into the weekend seeded 6th, which meant power pools. We knew we'd have a tough schedule and came out fired and ready to go.
Game 1 vs. Iowa State Women Scorned
ISU came out equally as fired up, as SOL and the Women Scorned played hard-fought points, trading possessions and playing extremely aggressively. ISU's roster is full of athletic, aggressive, intense players. The Women Scorned are always pushing us to our limits and making us have to dig deep and work hard for every single point. No point is a given. SOL was able to get two break points in the game, and came out on top 1 But what I really love about playing them, is that at the end of a game, it's all smiles. These girls are genuinely nice people and love working hard too...and that every time we play eachother we know it was a good hard, fought game. And I am trying to avoid being tabletopped by Christine Rosen so hard...she's a sneaky sneaky girl. But, alas, I am on the lookout, at least most of the time.
Game 2 vs. Michigan Flywheel
Flywheel, perennial nationals qualifier from the Great Lakes, was seeded first in our power pool. However, they were notably missing some clutch veteran players, and brought a team of new players. We came out hard. Off of the first pull, the disc was centered to me, and Anna Hettler blew past her girl for a huck-score. SOL pulled, got a D, and a break. We went up 2-0. Michigan got its first point of the game to make it 3-1. SOL controlled the tempo of the game, working up and down the field. Many of our newer players were playing a lot of points. Our offense looked great, aside from some drops. We pulled out ahead 12-7.
Bye Round
Anna put on Neil's pig suit and frolicked around. She even warmed up in it for our next round.
Game 3 vs. Wisconsin Atropa
SOL came out on fire. We played some sick zone-D against a small, and notably vet-missing Atropa. Our cup kept the disc within 20 yards of the endzone most of the time, allowing us to set up some good iso-match ups for scores. Hannah Glader played some good zone D, helping out and filling spots on the wing. She even booked it deep to help me out after I missed a D and got a D against Renee (who is much taller than her). Great effort and intensity was radiating from every member of SOL who won the game 13-1. After the game, one of the most eppic games of ultimate ninja ensued between members of Atropa and SOL. Renee was loving the new game. We divided the huge group in two, and the top-five of each circle came together for a battle royale. It was me vs. Tracie Anderson in a vegetable walk off to "spinach." I am pretty sure that Tracie came out on top. At least, I voted for her. I'm not exactly sure how to personify spinach accurately.
Game 4 vs. Northwestern Gung-Ho
Northwestern has some good handlers, and a few cutters with some co-ed club experience with the team NURD (which SOLmates Jess Haller and Beth Wright have played for too). We came zone on them and shut down their offense quite effectively. Anna Hettler had FOUR handblocks in that game, including a handblock for a 3/4-field huck score (let's face it, after how sick that handblock was, I was making sure she was scoring). I mean, that handblock literally landed on the throwers foot. It was ridiculous. SOL came out on top 13-3.
SATURDAY NIGHT-Tournament Party
SOL attended the tourney party and once again had a ton of fun. A massive game of Ultimate Ninja ensued with Tracie Anderson dominating everyone. Martha Harris won the SOL-started limbo for the second year in a row. The girl from Winona took second again, Pat Niles took third with a pulled hip-flexor, and two other guys took fourth and fifth. Pat and I lost in the championship game of the Cornhole tournament to two pros from Luther. But I did win a sweet Patagonia jacket from the raffle. That would make me a winner of a sweet prize two years in a row! Estelle, Beth, and Kathleen made off with a crap ton of pizza and garlic bread at the end of the night. Probably making them the biggest winner of the evening.
SUNDAY-Bracket Play
Because we won the power pool, we got a first round bye...automatically qualifying for quarters.
Round 1 (Quarters) vs. Valpo Chicks Hucking Discs
Valpo came off of a pre-quarters win against Illinois, and was looking good. Their handlers moved the disc well, getting some breaks off early. SOL and CHD traded points early. However, it was SOL that was able to put on the burners and outlast in the long points.
Round 2 (Semis) vs. Northwestern Gung-Ho
We faced Northwestern again, but it was a much different game than on Saturday afternoon. Northwestern used their handlers a lot more to work the disc, rather than relying on their cutters. As a result, Northwestern went up 2-0. We knew that we had to switch our game plan and put a lot more pressure on their handlers. Making some defensive changes, we were able to turn the game around and come out on top. Our newbs starting to confidently make pick and foul calls, helped keep the game from getting too out of hand. This was our first observed game of the season, and our new girls reacted well.
Round 3 (Championship Game) vs. Wisconsin Bella Donna
I love playing the Bellas. They push us so hard and we get better every single point. It was especially exciting since their line up included Georgia Bosscher, Sandy Jorgenson, and Emelie McKain this time in addition to their strong players we faced at Hucktoberfest like Jenny Gaynor, Jenny Koll, and Laura Bitterman. We were without co-captain Anna Hettler who had gotten food poisoning on Saturday night, club player Martha Harris (who still has mono), Moria Farrell, Nicole Schlicting, and Iansa Zaldarriaga. We were down to five handlers for this game. It would be at test of SOL endurance and solid decision making. The Bellas came out intense from the first pull. SOL confidently, and patiently worked the disc up for the first score to Brit Gartner, open in the endzone. Brit played extremely well. She was, however hurt early in the second half and sat the rest of the game out...bringing our handler count down to four. We initially started out in a zone D, but the Bella handlers ate through it. After we made a late switch to man, we were able to better challenge points. Offensively, I was impressed with the way our handlers were able to swing and get past the Bella zone (it reminds me of a match zone I once played in basketball...). I think that Tracie Anderson proved again that she has some of the best hands around, out reading players like it was her job and making sick grab after sick grab on some shady hucks. Heather Wroten picked up her defense, getting some huge Ds in the air. Notably, Emy Marier in her second tournament ever, improved her shut-down defense. The Bellas made an offensive switch, choosing to run a side-stack iso-ing Laura Bitterman, which proved to be very effective, as SOL's legs were running out of gas after playing with relatively low numbers, especially the handlers. We still were able to force some turns and hasty decisions...but were unable to connect in the endzone. We were unable to pull it out and lost 13-8.
One of the things that I'm really happy about is how our new players adjusted in the championship game when the intensity was turned up. Cutters were making great cuts, getting open by timing cuts well. Eventually, the catches and throws will come with more repetitions. It's the things, like seeing the field, that are difficult to teach, and were done quite well by many of our newer players. I think that the newbs responded by increasing their defensive intensity. We haven't gone into depth about man coverage, and Pat and I both commented on the way home how impressed we were with the shut-down match-ups that were created for many posessions. I am quite pleased with the way we played, and am for sure looking forward to taking the Bellas on with a full roster.
What a great weekend. I think the highlight of the trip was at Panera after our game. Kathleen Nottingham made me laugh quite hard, and I'm not sure she quite intended on it. Such a great time. Looking forward to seeing more of her as her orchestra duties unwind a bit.
Great job this weekend. I think it was better than the homecoming that I missed...again, for ultimate.
EC Chillout split squads next weekend...fun fun!
SATURDAY-POOL PLAY
We went into the weekend seeded 6th, which meant power pools. We knew we'd have a tough schedule and came out fired and ready to go.
Game 1 vs. Iowa State Women Scorned
ISU came out equally as fired up, as SOL and the Women Scorned played hard-fought points, trading possessions and playing extremely aggressively. ISU's roster is full of athletic, aggressive, intense players. The Women Scorned are always pushing us to our limits and making us have to dig deep and work hard for every single point. No point is a given. SOL was able to get two break points in the game, and came out on top 1 But what I really love about playing them, is that at the end of a game, it's all smiles. These girls are genuinely nice people and love working hard too...and that every time we play eachother we know it was a good hard, fought game. And I am trying to avoid being tabletopped by Christine Rosen so hard...she's a sneaky sneaky girl. But, alas, I am on the lookout, at least most of the time.
Game 2 vs. Michigan Flywheel
Flywheel, perennial nationals qualifier from the Great Lakes, was seeded first in our power pool. However, they were notably missing some clutch veteran players, and brought a team of new players. We came out hard. Off of the first pull, the disc was centered to me, and Anna Hettler blew past her girl for a huck-score. SOL pulled, got a D, and a break. We went up 2-0. Michigan got its first point of the game to make it 3-1. SOL controlled the tempo of the game, working up and down the field. Many of our newer players were playing a lot of points. Our offense looked great, aside from some drops. We pulled out ahead 12-7.
Bye Round
Anna put on Neil's pig suit and frolicked around. She even warmed up in it for our next round.Game 3 vs. Wisconsin Atropa
SOL came out on fire. We played some sick zone-D against a small, and notably vet-missing Atropa. Our cup kept the disc within 20 yards of the endzone most of the time, allowing us to set up some good iso-match ups for scores. Hannah Glader played some good zone D, helping out and filling spots on the wing. She even booked it deep to help me out after I missed a D and got a D against Renee (who is much taller than her). Great effort and intensity was radiating from every member of SOL who won the game 13-1. After the game, one of the most eppic games of ultimate ninja ensued between members of Atropa and SOL. Renee was loving the new game. We divided the huge group in two, and the top-five of each circle came together for a battle royale. It was me vs. Tracie Anderson in a vegetable walk off to "spinach." I am pretty sure that Tracie came out on top. At least, I voted for her. I'm not exactly sure how to personify spinach accurately.
Game 4 vs. Northwestern Gung-Ho
Northwestern has some good handlers, and a few cutters with some co-ed club experience with the team NURD (which SOLmates Jess Haller and Beth Wright have played for too). We came zone on them and shut down their offense quite effectively. Anna Hettler had FOUR handblocks in that game, including a handblock for a 3/4-field huck score (let's face it, after how sick that handblock was, I was making sure she was scoring). I mean, that handblock literally landed on the throwers foot. It was ridiculous. SOL came out on top 13-3.
SATURDAY NIGHT-Tournament Party
SOL attended the tourney party and once again had a ton of fun. A massive game of Ultimate Ninja ensued with Tracie Anderson dominating everyone. Martha Harris won the SOL-started limbo for the second year in a row. The girl from Winona took second again, Pat Niles took third with a pulled hip-flexor, and two other guys took fourth and fifth. Pat and I lost in the championship game of the Cornhole tournament to two pros from Luther. But I did win a sweet Patagonia jacket from the raffle. That would make me a winner of a sweet prize two years in a row! Estelle, Beth, and Kathleen made off with a crap ton of pizza and garlic bread at the end of the night. Probably making them the biggest winner of the evening.
SUNDAY-Bracket Play
Because we won the power pool, we got a first round bye...automatically qualifying for quarters.
Round 1 (Quarters) vs. Valpo Chicks Hucking Discs
Valpo came off of a pre-quarters win against Illinois, and was looking good. Their handlers moved the disc well, getting some breaks off early. SOL and CHD traded points early. However, it was SOL that was able to put on the burners and outlast in the long points.
Round 2 (Semis) vs. Northwestern Gung-Ho
We faced Northwestern again, but it was a much different game than on Saturday afternoon. Northwestern used their handlers a lot more to work the disc, rather than relying on their cutters. As a result, Northwestern went up 2-0. We knew that we had to switch our game plan and put a lot more pressure on their handlers. Making some defensive changes, we were able to turn the game around and come out on top. Our newbs starting to confidently make pick and foul calls, helped keep the game from getting too out of hand. This was our first observed game of the season, and our new girls reacted well.
Round 3 (Championship Game) vs. Wisconsin Bella Donna
I love playing the Bellas. They push us so hard and we get better every single point. It was especially exciting since their line up included Georgia Bosscher, Sandy Jorgenson, and Emelie McKain this time in addition to their strong players we faced at Hucktoberfest like Jenny Gaynor, Jenny Koll, and Laura Bitterman. We were without co-captain Anna Hettler who had gotten food poisoning on Saturday night, club player Martha Harris (who still has mono), Moria Farrell, Nicole Schlicting, and Iansa Zaldarriaga. We were down to five handlers for this game. It would be at test of SOL endurance and solid decision making. The Bellas came out intense from the first pull. SOL confidently, and patiently worked the disc up for the first score to Brit Gartner, open in the endzone. Brit played extremely well. She was, however hurt early in the second half and sat the rest of the game out...bringing our handler count down to four. We initially started out in a zone D, but the Bella handlers ate through it. After we made a late switch to man, we were able to better challenge points. Offensively, I was impressed with the way our handlers were able to swing and get past the Bella zone (it reminds me of a match zone I once played in basketball...). I think that Tracie Anderson proved again that she has some of the best hands around, out reading players like it was her job and making sick grab after sick grab on some shady hucks. Heather Wroten picked up her defense, getting some huge Ds in the air. Notably, Emy Marier in her second tournament ever, improved her shut-down defense. The Bellas made an offensive switch, choosing to run a side-stack iso-ing Laura Bitterman, which proved to be very effective, as SOL's legs were running out of gas after playing with relatively low numbers, especially the handlers. We still were able to force some turns and hasty decisions...but were unable to connect in the endzone. We were unable to pull it out and lost 13-8.
One of the things that I'm really happy about is how our new players adjusted in the championship game when the intensity was turned up. Cutters were making great cuts, getting open by timing cuts well. Eventually, the catches and throws will come with more repetitions. It's the things, like seeing the field, that are difficult to teach, and were done quite well by many of our newer players. I think that the newbs responded by increasing their defensive intensity. We haven't gone into depth about man coverage, and Pat and I both commented on the way home how impressed we were with the shut-down match-ups that were created for many posessions. I am quite pleased with the way we played, and am for sure looking forward to taking the Bellas on with a full roster.
What a great weekend. I think the highlight of the trip was at Panera after our game. Kathleen Nottingham made me laugh quite hard, and I'm not sure she quite intended on it. Such a great time. Looking forward to seeing more of her as her orchestra duties unwind a bit.
Great job this weekend. I think it was better than the homecoming that I missed...again, for ultimate.
EC Chillout split squads next weekend...fun fun!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
No Wisconsequences...Preview
We had a great 6 am practice, and a well-attended afternoon throwing session on Tuesday. (I was pleased to know that my efforts to wake up at 5:20 am were not in vain. It was for real the best practice we've had all season. Let's hope that tomorrow's 6 am practice is equally as good.)
Bringing a smaller roster this weekend. Lot's to compete with, like Homecoming, H1N1 and other illness...
SOL is ready to go, are you? How's this picture for motivation? Brit Gartner is ready to go....in her spandex, of course. You can see her, along with 16 other SOL players in action this weekend.
Schedule.
http://www.upa.org/scores/tourn.cgi?div=34&id=6638
We made power pools this year. Ironically, we are not extremely underseeded this year. That is quite exciting.
Looking to repeat last year's win.
Go time. Full-throttle.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rufio, Rufio, Ruf-i-o! (Hucktoberfest Game Write-ups)
Having the first seed going into the tournament, I was super nervous. First tourney of the year, bringing a super new team with many rookies making their ultimate debut after only a few weeks of practices. We were expecting absolutely terrible weather. People were getting sick all week. I was getting a little worried that more people would end up dropping out...So On Wednesday night, Brit came over and as we were watching Gossip Girl with my super awes roomie Pamela Jean Kaye. We hassled her for a while to come play with SOL at Hucktoberfest. She was wavering, but eventually gave in. I promised her some fun times, and she was totally in.
We pile in the car and pick up Rose and Mariah on Friday night wearing absolutely ridiculously masks from Wal-mart ($2 for both, totally worth it). We roll in super late after stopping in
SATURDAY
Game 1 vs. UW-Whitewater Schist
UWW is one of SOL's favorite teams. We love those girls to death, which can be hard to play against some of your friends. SOL brought some good intensity and set the tempo early, playing some good defense. Our offense looked a little stagnant at times, but after half it picked up a ton. The light drizzle had dimished, but the field was a giant mudhole. We had a lot of fun and won it 13-1. 
I'm really excited to see how Schist develops in the off season. Led by Alex Haroldson and Anni Koci, Schist really has some potential to start a good program. Their numbers are phenomenal, and they have some rookie handlers who aren't afraid to put the disc.
Game 2 vs. Purdue Brickhouse
This game was pretty physical. Melissa "Brownie" Brown was cutting all over the place....absolutely ridiculous. She came from the top rope to make a SICK grab over one of the Brickhouse players in the endzone and maintined the disc through one of the nastiest collisions I've seen in a while. Brownie, completely unphased held the disc and waited for a replacement player to come in and play some D. I love that girl. SOLended up winning 13-2
The score of this game does not show how good the game actually was. Grinnell had a vet-heavy team, with lots of experience, speed, and patience. They worked the disc really well and had some good handlers. SOL really stepped up its D this game to prevent some scores and preventing the Sticky cutters from getting the disc, making them rely on their handlers. On one point, I hucked the disc FOUR (4) distinct times to Pam "The Tank" Kaye who was streaking deep on quick transitions. With her ultimate career spanning approximately 4 days, she was learning to read the disc. I will let her borrow my library card so she can learn to read. It honestly took us FIVE (5) attempts to finally get it right. In all honesty, I would expect Grinnell to make some noise this spring. They have some good potential to really surprise some good teams who completely underestimate them. Their handlers are solid. Score: 13-2.
Game 4 vs.
SOL got some sideline support from the fine young men of Eauzone in our final game of the day. The wind had picked up and we had moved to a different field. Instead of a crosswind, we were faced with up-wind/down-wind points. After briefly running through zone on Thursday's practice, we decided that it would be a good time to work on our zone. It was a little rough, but it is still for sure a work in progress. Estelle Taquet got her first career Callahan in this game. We all rush the field, and tell her how sweet it was. She didn't even understand how epic it really was. Ballin. Score 13-0.
SOL goes home to dry off, warm up, and eat food. And of course...watch Hook (Boomarang Roofio!). The film inspired many a cheer and good times had on Sunday. Brit drove a few of us to the tournament party where fun ensued.
Game 5 vs.
Day 2 would be significantly more difficult than Day 1 for SOL, as we would be playing some teams with more experience and intensity. Moxie had played against Club level players at Chicago Heavyweights just two weeks before Hucktoberfest...we knew they would bring a good game, as they always do. We got ourselves fired up and ready to go, got in a good warm up and started our games at Game 6 vs.
Our warm up to get ready for this game was singing, dancing, and shouting to the song "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus. Ahhhh. I love ISU. Let's be real. So many SOLmates have huge ultimate crushes on Christine Rosen and Jasmine Draper after our many meetings last spring. We have nothing but love and respect for these girls. The intensity was up for both teams, making fast transitions and making big plays. ISU took half with a score of 7-4. SOL had a great halftime huddle and soon, everyone was completely fired up and ready to go. In my opinion, the most epic play of the game was the collision of Pam Kaye and Gapster of ISU. Gapstur took a huge shot from Pam who was laying out for a disc. Gapstur got the D, stood up and completed a sick huck and wandered off the field in a very dizzy fashion. Lindsey Gapstur played the sickest game I have ever seen her play....and now has to see a chiropractor.
Game 7 vs. Wisconsin Bella Donna
SOL was riding an adreneline wave after winning a hard fought game vs. ISU. Both teams were missing some huge playmakers, and were rookie heavy for sure. The Bellas were notably missing 2009 Callahan winner Georgia Bosscher; all-region players Emilie McKain, Amber Sinicrope, and Francis Tsukano; and huge presence Sandy Jorgenson. SOL was missing some huge players including Iansa Zaldarriaga, Martha Harris (who has mono), Melissa Jordan, Cole Lence, among the other 4 returners, and rookie Nicole Schlicting. Regardless, I was really excited to see how our new players would match up against the new players for Bella who were finishing up their last round of tryouts. After going down 0-2 against the Bellas, SOL went on a sick run. High intensity D, chill offense, and smart decisions with the disc. Soon, the score was 2-2.
Bella always brings a hard game, all cylinders firing, heart and a lot of hustle. Jenny Gaynor was playing some ridiculous D for the Bellas, while Jenny Koll was challenging our D with sick hucks to Bellas in the endzone. It was like something started clicking on the field for SOL in a way that had never really happened before. To see new players, like Brownie getting layout D's on returning Bellas and then booking it deep on transitions, is something that I could not be prouder of. Brownie made some sick grabs, getting some huge air in the endzone, getting the disc over some Bellas in the endzone.
Moria made some sick grabs and was helping to gain huge yards. I think the one thing that helped us come out on top was chill handling. Our handlers were swinging the disc fast and well, attacking holes in the intense Bella zone. This is something that is super uncharacteristic of our handlers. Patience. It was what we lacked last year in regionals. The cool thing is we have a whopping four returning handlers, and only three of us were there last weekend. Our new handlers were chill and confident; it's what helped us break through the zone. Considering we spent approximately 15 minutes at Thursday's practice in the 40 degree rain discussing zone...I was extremely impressed with the cutting and popping from our newbs. Estelle Taquet was consistently finding holes in the zone for handlers to get the disc to her off of swings. SOL and Bella traded momentum changes. SOL was down 10-12, and went on a ridiculous run. Brit Gartner was a layout D machine. I got to do some cutting, and Anna voluntarily handled. We pulled it back to tie it at 12-12. Game point (14-13...) Tracie Anderson gets a quick D and busts deep on the transition. I probably gave her the worst possible put in the world, she lays out for it, and makes the most ridiculous catch I have seen from her.
We had minimal turns and exercised patience. Two qualities that have never been present when we play a good team.
I said this in our team huddle before the championship game: "We can't just be a team that is happy to be here. We need to be a team that can make it here and take it." I feel like we are finally making that transition. This is a new season, a new slate. What we did or did not do last year doesn't mean anything. I am completely excited to see what happens when everyone's teams are full strength later in the season...I can't wait to see what we are capable of doing. It's time to get excited. The car-ride home was proof of that excitement. To hear two new players share their excitement with me about the weekend was an extremely fulfilling experience. Practice this week will be intense, I can guarantee that. Everyone is looking forward to pushing each other hard in the upcoming season, in a way that I have never seen this early in the season. Next stop: No Wisconsequences.
SOL can win.
Alright, this weekend proved to our newbies, returners, and vets, that SOL is for real. After a few rough practices that dealt with rushing to teach new players the offense, defense, and rules of ultimate, we all weren't sure how this weekend was going to pan out. It was important to get everyone new playing time for the feel of the game. After the first days pool play, 4 points get scored on SOL all day. Could not have done it without some clutch returners, but the new members were very intense and really stepped up their competitiveness. It was really very cool to see everyone so excited about the season.
The real highlight was day two as we proceeded into the championship bracket. SOL beat Iowa State in a long game, 12-11. Alright so we just beat Iowa State, that's baller right? Now off to play Madison in the finals. Eesh. Well, it seems that our relearning of the offense and defense really helped us out. We took half (not sure of score) and then the entire game 15-13 for first place. Everyone on our sidelines (myself included) screamed and dog piled Tracie after her layout for the win. Maybe we were a little too excited, but that was certainly a first for SOL. Way to rock it out Eau Claire. Granted, Iowa State brought 11 girls, and Madison was missing some big players, but I know our team played hard and really earned the win. Brit lay out D-ing eeeveryone, Anna catching everything and Robyn, Jess, Beth, and Whit throwing some stellar hucks to the new players and returners. I gotta say that we are missing some players as well. As much as I didn't want to have mono on the sidelines, or Iansa, George, Rachel C, Cole, and Amy didn't want to be busy that weekend, SOL still pulled through for the wins :)
Awesome job to the freshman and new players for playing awesome.
Highlights: Estelle (freshman) getting a callahan. Brownie (freshman) spiking the disc out of nowhere after her sky in the endzone. ( I didn't teach her that..)
F mono. More details most likely to come from Robyn soon. That's about it for now.
Martha
The real highlight was day two as we proceeded into the championship bracket. SOL beat Iowa State in a long game, 12-11. Alright so we just beat Iowa State, that's baller right? Now off to play Madison in the finals. Eesh. Well, it seems that our relearning of the offense and defense really helped us out. We took half (not sure of score) and then the entire game 15-13 for first place. Everyone on our sidelines (myself included) screamed and dog piled Tracie after her layout for the win. Maybe we were a little too excited, but that was certainly a first for SOL. Way to rock it out Eau Claire. Granted, Iowa State brought 11 girls, and Madison was missing some big players, but I know our team played hard and really earned the win. Brit lay out D-ing eeeveryone, Anna catching everything and Robyn, Jess, Beth, and Whit throwing some stellar hucks to the new players and returners. I gotta say that we are missing some players as well. As much as I didn't want to have mono on the sidelines, or Iansa, George, Rachel C, Cole, and Amy didn't want to be busy that weekend, SOL still pulled through for the wins :)
Awesome job to the freshman and new players for playing awesome.
Highlights: Estelle (freshman) getting a callahan. Brownie (freshman) spiking the disc out of nowhere after her sky in the endzone. ( I didn't teach her that..)
F mono. More details most likely to come from Robyn soon. That's about it for now.
Martha
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