Team Y Recap

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Saturday began with a rough start for kracklin. When UIC showed up five minutes before game time, we thought we’d roll ‘em. Little did we realize that they brought a core group of veterans. We kept the lines relatively open, hoping to run them down with our athleticism and endurance since they only had about 10 guys. But their experience showed (and our rooks’ inexperience showed even more), and we ended up getting rolled 13 to 6. It really didn’t help that one of their guys played for machine. We went into the bye round realizing it was gonna be one of those days.

Kentucky proved a bit easier than the first game. A pretty rag tag group that was carrying a lot of rookies became easy prey for kracklin. Our vets completely dominated their experienced players. Only lucky hucks that triple helixed away from the defender gave Kentucky any hope of scoring. Our rooks stepped it up big time. They realized that attacking disc gave them a pretty good shot at catching it. Circus laid out like crazy, even catching goals after a defender attempted a spike d. He got a logo glass for that one. After solid win like that, you feel pretty good going into your next game.

The captains knew that SLU would be a challenge. We also knew that in order to advance to the A bracket on Sunday, we would have to win against them and Miami Ohio. The line calling was pretty tight, and there were always four vets waiting on the line. The rooks seemed to know that their level of play had to improve (it takes seven, not four. Unless you play for a team called My Little Ponies, then it only takes 3). And improve it did. Cuts seemed coordinated. Rooks showed good patience after gaining huge yards. Very few bad decisions were made, and the veteran handlers rewarded their patience by throwing goals. The game remained somewhat close, but team y closed the door in the second half.

Miami of Ohio meant everything. In order to take first, we had to win by 8 points. This feat sounds great in a pep talk, but they were the one seed for a reason. We were down six-four, mainly a result of their “giant” catching lazy hucks. Team Y knew something had to be done. Throughout the day, we had played well together, but had yet to reach that which defines a team. It was gonna take a team to pull this one out. Something happened and we started playing for each other. We fed off the energy that each teammate brought to the field. It was amazing. They ended up taking half seven-five, but we were not deterred. We came out on defense, and our tenacity quickly led to a score of 9-7. They fought back, and it was nines. We pulled it together and went up 12-9. The cap went off. We ended the day three and one. Our point differential meant a third place finish, but that was enough to set the stage for day two as snap, crackle, and pop all entered the top brackets.

The rain held off, and team y just knew it would be a good day. They seeded us 16^th, and Iowa came to the field expecting an easy game. A vicious fight ensued. Spectacular plays were made on both sides. Sick scoring skies were had by jman and leftsky. Dave roasted his defenders upline leaving them in tears. Caleb threw hucks prettier than all the women I’ve ever dated, and the rest of rooks actually looked like they knew how to play ultimate. The score was consistently tied until the end of game. We emerged victorious 13-11. Northwestern was in for a world of hurt.

We took half 7-3, playing ultimate like we were being paid to do it. We warned ourselves at half that we couldn’t let up, but we’ve always been bad at taking our own advice. They fought back with good hucks and even better catches. The score was 11-11 when the cap went off; next point wins. Luckily we were on O. The flow was pretty smooth about halfway down the field, when j-man broke free for a deep shot (that’s what she said). Unfortunately, Dave’s huck looked less than spectacular. It slowed up right after the release and began to blade. It was like watching some horrific scene being played in slow motion. The defender caught up, and gained perfect position as the disc dived hard for the ground. All seemed lost. But jman said, “No, I won’t let it end like this. I’ll make it end like this.” Laying out on his back, he slid into the endzone, catching the disc at his defender’s feet. (Cozza Award)

North Park was next on the checklist. They came over looking just as tired as we were. The previous games meant nothing, and team y would need to find that energy from the Miami game in order to overcome. North Park had some players who could throw hucks through any mark, and they had players that could catch discs over any player. Our smart play kept this one close, but in the end, it proved just out of reach and team y faltered 8 to 10. A disappointment yes, a failure no.

Team y moved four fields down to take on the other semi-final loser, Iowa State. After battling through 3 tough games in a row, the vets were eager for a break, and the rooks were itching to show us what they got. Wiese is tall and it showed. He tooled at least 4 scrubs on floating discs. Caleb showed that he has A-team caliber play, but is it enough? Jordan proved himself master of the in-cut playing well both in setting up the flow and cutting with in it. Brett showed a lot of promise in attacking the disc. Anthony had moments of greatness, and he seems to know how to take his gameplay to the next level. Inconsistency will hold him back for now. Oh Rodo, right now, your name is on the population sign of Noforhandville. I know it’s a nice town. I’ve lived there myself, but it’s just like Sodom and Gamorrah. You gotta leave and never look back. Circus, every time I see you lay out, that theme music starts playing in my head. Your heart is strong and your lack of self-preservation is a virtue. Speed and Strength will take your game to a whole new level. Luke, you didn’t play much, so I got nothing.

Vets, we ended up getting battered and banged from all the playing time, but for me, seeing the rookies gain marked improvement makes it all worth it.