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.