CENTEX Twenty-ten!

SOL packed up (all but one of) the vehicles and started the long drive down to Austin, TX on Thursday (the last vehicle left on Friday morning). We were looking to be full squad for the first time all year to kick off spring break....

Saturday Highlights
Pool Play Game 1 vs. Northeastern Valkyries
SOL started out strong, scoring a quick point on Northeastern. After allowing Northeastern to trade points, SOL Coach Pat Niles took a time out, to stress the importance of playing our game and not playing down. SOL came out of the time out on a rampage, finding open receivers and pushing the defensive intensity, taking half 8-3. Coming out of half, SOL controlled the tempo, finishing the game 15-7.

Pool Play Game 2 vs. Kansas Bettys
SOL has not seen the Bettys in a while. One of our favorite teams, the Bettys always bring a tough game. Wearing some bomb skirts, the Bettys challenged SOL early, scoring the first point easily. Pat called a time out and looked to start the game over. SOL received and never looked back. Taking half 8-2, and finishing strong 15-3.

Pool Play Game 3 vs. Penn State Isis
Tracie Anderson busted down the field on the pull to start the game off with a sick layout D, translating into a quick score. SOL broke again quickly, causing Isis to call a timeout. During the timeout, the SOL captains challenged their SOLmates to work on three things during the game: defensive intensity, handler movement, and offensive flow. The first point after the timeout, Heather Wroten had a sick layout D on a handler dump. Mariah Dorner and Melissa Brown had multiple layout intimi-D's, really pushing themselves to improve. SOL took half 8-4, and went on to win 15-8.

Crossover Game vs. UCLA BLU
After winning our pool, we went to take on UCLA. In our first matchup against BLU in our program's history, we came out fired up. Sick of being over looked, and under seeded, we decided to take it to this ultimate powerhouse out of the Southwest Region. UCLA's game plan was to play for field position in the intense cross-wind, looking to huck anything and everything. With Robyn Fennig deep to eat up everything that went up and Anna Hettler's fierce mark, UCLA's game plan proved unsuccessful. SOL ate through the UCLA zone on O. SOL's handler line, led by Martha Harris, Iansa Zaldarriaga, Whit Esson, and Beth Wright found the holes and moved the disc up field to our cutters. Anna Hettler and Robyn Fennig's precision hucks found Emy Marier, Moira Farrell, Brit Gartner, Melissa Brown and Melissa Jordan. UCLA tried to man several SOLmates, but SOL went too deep into their roster to really isolate any one player. SOL took half 8-4, and went on to win, 13-6.

CENTEX DANCEOFF!

SOL went first and set the bar with our high intensity difficult dance that we have been working on all semester long. We were apparently awarded some deductions for going over our alloted time and using Lady Gaga. We won, hoisting Martha Harris in the air. We did an encore and it was awes! Youc an check out the dance HERE!

Sunday Highlights
Pre-Quarters vs. Oregon Fugue
SOL came out all guns firing to do some damage vs. the only undefeated team in the nation. SOL started off on D, going down 0-1 off of a quick throw and score point. SOL received and put the next point in, with the score 1-1. SOL went on to get 4 consecutive break points, going up on Oregon 5-1. Oregon took a time out to recollect themselves after a virtually unheard of team was taking it to them and capitalizing on every turn Oregon had. SOL started believing with every break that we deserved to be there just as much as any of the "D-I" teams. Oregon came back on a run. The score was tied at 5-5. Pat called a timeout, emphasizing that just a few minutes ago, SOL had so much fire, intensity, and confidence. Poised, SOL came back to answer. Oregon and SOL traded points, however, Oregon took half 8-7. SOL fought hard, throughout the second half, joined on the sidelines with Women Scorned and Bella Donna cheering us on. Anna Hettler had a sick hand-block on the goal line, to be caught by a SOLmate for a bookends score. Hard cap was blown, and Oregon took the game. SOL 11, Fuegue 13.

9th place Bracket quarters vs. UC-Santa Barbara Burning Skirts

SOL kept the fire going strong coming out 5-0 on the defending national champs. UCSB came out in a relentless 4-man cup zone defense, catching the SOL handlers off guard. Though SOL was up for the entire game, UCSB manufactured breaks, taking advantage of turn-overs close to the endzone. Hardcap was blown, SOL came out on top, 10-9.

9th place Bracket semis vs. Colorado Kali

After sustainaing some injuries to several veteran players, SOL hit a wall of physical and mental fatigue vs. a fired up, skilled Kali team. Kali took control of the game early, and kept rolling. SOL 2, Kali 9.

11th place game vs. Carleton Syzygy

SOL's numbers started dwindling, and fatigue had officially set in. SOL was able to manufacture several breaks, but Syzygy worked the disc up field with their cutters, throwing unphased by the wind. SOL 5, Syzygy 10.

Check out the end of season rankings: SOL is 17th in the nation going into the Series!! SOL is working hard and ready to roll. Alumni Weekend this weekend...SOL skills clinic in the AM. Then we will be having our first ever SOL alum game, alongside our Eauzone Alum game, followed by a SOLzone co-ed pick up game with our alum.

Chicago Invite 2010

Holy kittats. SOL is having a bad track records for the Spring 2010 season with playing in weather with ridiculously terrible weather conditions. For the second consecutive weekend, SOL bared some pretty terrible wind and rain/snow. This time, we added mud to the mix. We were able to get in one day of games, so here you go...for your reading pleasure.



SOL vs. North Park Allihopa
SOL came out working the disc well. The wind and low number of handlers during the weekend challenged some of our cutters to handle in some treacherous conditions. SOL primarily ran man-defense in this game, working on the fundamentals we discussed in practice, making adjustments to try some new things. SOL 8, Allihopa 4.

SOL vs. Central Michigan
The wind picked up and the temperatures dropped, as SOL took on an extremely athletic Central Michigan team. If the team had the disc skills to match their heart and hustle, the game would have been much closer. SOL 10, C. Mich 4.

SOL vs. Iowa Saucy Nancy
It was a match-up between the #4 and #5 seeded teams at Chicago Invite as SOL took on Saucy Nancy. SOL brought intensity against a hard working Saucy Nancy zone defense. SOL tried some new things defensively, switching up between man and zone. SOL and Saucy traded points until SOL took the first upwind break to take half. SOL came out of half to earn another break, enough to seal the SOL victory. SOL 8, Saucy 6.

SOL vs. Case Western Reserve Fighting Gobies
SOL matched up against the Fighting Gobies for the first time ever. Case Western had some great handlers who challenged the SOL zone. SOL was able to work the disc up to the upwind endzone several times, but was unable to finish it in the endzone. Case Western worked it upwind once, but was able to connect when it mattered, getting the break they needed to seal the fate of SOL. SOL 6, Case Western 8.

We are looking forward to Centex this weekend. We need some nice weather and the chance to play out full games...look for the hot pink, white, and black in Austin, TX. We are looking to improve on our tournament finish, as well as win the Centex Dance Competition!

-Robyn

Philly Classic Recap

SOL took its first ever team trip to the northeast to take on the teams of the Metro East and Northeast regions at Philly Classic. Due to the flood warnings and poor weather conditions, the tournament format was drastically changed. There would be no pool play, no bracket play, no way of actually declaring a "winner." Every team was guaranteed six games against opponents. Penn State and Messiah College were awesome enough to provide some ridiculously nice turf fields for the tournament. (Thanks for making the tourney happen!)

Saturday
Saturday's games where characterized by rain, wind, and cold. These conditions were tricky for a spring outdoor debut, but SOL did what we could with what we had.

Game 1 vs. Ottawa Lady Gee-Gees
Ottawa, led by 2009 Team Canada member Anne Mercier. the Lady Gee-Gees won the flip. SOL had to pull upwind. Both teams traded points in the downwind endzone. Neither team worked the disc more than half-way up the field upwind. One good thing coming out of this game was the efficiency that SOL had in downwind O. We only had one point where we turned it more than twice going downwind, allowing us to conserve energy. Final outcome: SOL 8, Lady Gee Gees 9.

During our bye, SOL took over a ridiculously small laundromat to dry our stuff. We stripped down and threw everything we had in the dryers. We diagrammed our plays with water bottles, ate some delicious food and talked plays. After some GPS mishaps, we found our way back, to the fields and threw the first seven SOL mates on the field.

Game 2 vs. Maryland Helpful Corn
After once again losing the flip, we were set to pull upwind in the rain. Maryland's team dynamic reminded me much of ours. They are a good spirited, fun team. Charlie Mercer is ridiculously skilled, and ridiculously nice. SOL worked it up field three times, but was unable to make it happen in the endzone. Down-wind we were able to connect finding SOLmates in the endzone. We traded points, final outcome: SOL 6, Helpful Corn 7.

Game 3 vs. Yale Romona
SOL won the flip, starting downwind on O. Once again, we traded points with Yale. Both teams opted to play zone D, challenging handlers on upwind plays in the difficult conditions. A Romona cutter hands-down had one of the sickest layout bids of the tournament. She unfortunately hurt herself. After a long injury time-out, universe point was played, SOL came out on top. (We hope that the Yale player heals fast so she can keep making sick plays!!) Final score: SOL 9, Yale 8.

Sunday
Conditions for Sunday's games were more bearable. The wind and rain was not as intense, but the cold still prevailed with sprinkles throughout the day. The turf was great.

Game 4 vs. Iowa State Women Scorned
Our favorite Central Region team, Women Scorned always brings a tough game. Lauren Theile was looking solid for Scorned, finding holes in the SOL zone. SOL switched it up between zone and man and seemed to control the offensive tempo. Final score: SOL 11, Women Scorned 5

Game 5 vs. North Carolina Pleiades
SOL came out flat in this game, lacking the intensity shown in the day's first game vs. ISU. After giving up 5 consecutive breaks, SOL got on the board and picked it up. Concentrating on playing shut down D, SOL traded points with UNC to half. After half, SOL worked it efficiently against the UNC man-defense in one quick, efficient possession, scoring the first break of the game. SOL finally looked alive, but the effort was too little, too late. Final Score: SOL 5, UNC 10

Game 6 vs. Cornell Thorny Roses
Coming off of a tough loss, SOL knew that we had to win. After allowing a Cornell break, SOL picked it up, scoring quickly and going on a huge run. The SOL zone was frustrating the Cornell handlers who opted to take the risk punting it deep to seemingly open receivers. SOL was able to capitalize on this strategy and control the tempo of the first half, taking half 8-1. SOL allowed the Cornell offense to score a few more points off of transitions, but all in all, never losing the tempo. Final Score: SOL 12, Cornell 5

We got back in the cars and drove 15+ hours back to Eau Cleazy, where we were informed by everyone and their moms that it was 60 degrees + and sunny all weekend. It's a good thing we drove super far for terrible weather. It was a sign from some upper power that going to Philly was an okay idea, some fraternity on campus was handing out free Monster energy drink today. It was as if they knew how badly we all needed it (by we all, I mean me, Brit, Martha, and Cole as we threw on campus mall today).

We're looking forward to Chicago Invite. This week, we are looking to start outdoor practice with the beautiful weather we are looking forward to. I plan to grab my homework and hit the books on the porch in about three minutes (as I finish my smelly laundry from the weekend)

On a side note, the SOL intramural bball team is looking to claim an intramural title tonight. Wish us luck as we attempt to take home the coveted shirts and glasses. Brit says tonight is going to fast-break city for her...I believe it. She's ready to go.

State College? Um yes.

SOL embarks on spring season 2010 this weekend at Penn State, the new host of Philly Classic. Our pool looks to be strong. We'll be facing teams for the first time in our program's history:
UNC-Wilmington (Seaweed), Penn State (Isis), and Cornell (Thorny Roses).

Tonight's practice prior to Philly Classic was one of the most focused ones that SOL has seen all season. Though we'll be missing some clutch vets, this weekend will give our newbs a chance to shine and play out of their minds against some ridiculous competition.

It's been a blur of a week for SOL. We're ready to rock.

OH YEAH...HELP SUPPORT OUR TEAM WHILE YOU'RE THERE. Buy a sweet SOL bracelet. Only $2.

See you in Philly.
-Robyn

SOL Bracelets

Are you a SOL fan? Even just a little bit? Then you will want to get your wrists around one of our super tight SOL bracelets! We are not selling this RARE item online - they will be coming to a tournament near you.

How much? 2 dollars.

Why? To support SOL!

How? You must find a member of SOL in order to purchase this one of a kind accessory! Or I'm sure you all know how to use some sort of social networking system by now.

Where? Philly Classic, Chicago Invite, Women's Centex (Sections and Regions too, but you should probably have one by then)

Here are our wrist models posing our super trendy bracelets. Note, the braided one is mine and of course not for sale. They are even more rare and you must only ask Brit Gartner of SOL to get one of those...

It would be awesome if you can help our team out and greatly appreciated!