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Some of these are quite large, so I'd only try and
download them with a high-speed connection.
The sound is bad on some of them because of the wind.
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I just wanted to take a second and see if I could jot down some notes and create a recap of the weekend...I apologize in advance for any mistakes I make in this. I'm not sure of the halftime scores of all the games and all that jazz. Feel free to correct anything you see.
First off, the sun was out and the temperature was perfect. I think it was in the low seventies the whole weekend. The wind picked up occasionally throughout both days, making for upwind scoring opportunities as well as downwind hucking chances. We certainly tried and succeeded at both. I have tried to summarize all the games we played below, in a few short sentences.
Day 1
Game 1
Vitamin I – A team from Ithaca and Cornell. First game we played.
Started even and even took the half 8-5. I think after that strong first half
we may have taken them for granted a little and we ultimately lost the game
10-11. Still, a good game, especially it being our first. But give them credit
because they stuck with us and put themselves in position to win it and executed.
Game 2
His and Hers – Team from Washington D.C.? Strong team that has been
around for a while and have played together for years. They played mistake free
Ultimate for the majority of the game. We went on a little run in the second
half, but came up short 15-8.
Game 3
Balance of Power – Team from Pittsburgh that we saw at sectionals.
Older, veteran team that played patient ultimate. Threw some sort of zone against
us that I'm still not sure of the configuration. It seemed to work though. We
matched up evenly in this game and by now the wind had picked up some, so upwind
goals were going to be the difference. We scored the first upwind point, but
then BoP stormed back, and scored a couple and took the half 8-7. The second
half see-sawed, and we found ourselves in a bit of a struggle. The horn blew
at 10-9, meaning game to 12. BoP then scored, to tie the game at 10s. During
the next point the second horn blew, meaning next point wins. After a number
of turnovers by both teams, we got ourselves together for one last push and
scored an upwinder for the win.
Game 4
Air Circus (Sickness) - Drunk off our first win of the tournament, and
going up against a strong team of Philly ultimate veterans, this was a recipe
for a letdown. The combination of our last game being a tight, lengthy affair,
the wind, and the reputation of this team may have affected us a little before
the first disc went up. Air (Sickness) was quicker, swarmed to the disc and
beat us up on defense. I believe the score was 15-4 or 5. It wasn't that we
played poorly as much as we were running out of gas at this point, and the other
team relied on their experience and ability to beat us.
Day 2
Game 1
7 Express - Because of our day 1 record, we were seeded 10th. That gave
us a match up against the 7th seed, who happened to be a New York team called
7 Express. We got off to our traditional bad start and trailed 5-1. Clearing
our heads we got back in the game by playing inspired defense and kicking up
our offense. I believe half was 7-8 them. They came out strong in the second
half, had us down 11-8, but we came back to tie it at 12-12 and then the cap
went on, game to 14 and we took the next 2, to secure the upset and get into
the quarterfinals.
Game 2
Annapolis All Stars – Rumor was this was the old Flicks of Fury
team that went to nationals last year. Just mentioning their name put Doug in
the fetal position. They came out strong and they played like a team that went
to nationals. Questionable calls and questionable spirit (deliberate fouling
of our thrower when people were open as an example) dampened the game a little,
but these guys were certainly the best in the tournament. We lost 15-4, and
it probably wasn't that close. As an aside, these guys went on to beat Air (Sickness)
15-5 or so, and then in the championships beat Donkey Bomb, 15-4 I believe.
In our game against them though Doug had what may have been the catch of the
tournament, full layout diving one hand grab in the endzone, that was initially
called back on a pick call. After a few minutes of loud boos from the sidelines
(not our team – the other teams gathered around) and guilt/debate on the
field, Annapolis All Stars gave us the goal.
Game 3
Animal – Animal was just coming off a loss to Air (Sickness). Animal
team captain Paul Bonfanti had a pulled hamstring and was not playing, but Animal
of course was still a strong team. They came into the tournament as the number
1 seed. In what turned out to be our last game of the tournament, GC remained
consistent and played good, strong ultimate and stayed tough. Although we lost
15-10, I think we showed Animal we certainly weren't a walkover team. I know
it was 5-5 at one point, and in the second half we had it at 7-9, before Animal
pulled away.
Game 4
Topwise – Apparently there was a second consolation game that determined
the final standings, and we were to play Topwise. I don't believe either team
was in the mood to play, and we decided to bag it. I believe that game was the
8-9 game of the tournament, so take your pick on what place we came in.
A great weekend to be playing Ultimate, and a great tournament. If you get the chance take a moment to thank Clayton for putting all this together and for really making it run without a hitch. At least from our team's perspective, the games ran smoothly, and there was no real confusion as to where we should go or be at any given time during the weekend. That's a true testament to the TD's organization.
I just want to reiterate how strongly I think we played and personally how much fun I had playing with everyone. There were a lot of strong teams at this tournament and for us to come in 8th (or 9th) is plenty awesome. I'd like to thank everyone for coming, and making the weekend a success. I'd like to also thank Cline for leading us in what became our signature cheer for the weekend. I think I'm still hoarse, and I wouldn't be surprised if Cline couldn't speak above a whisper today. Lil' John aint got nothing on Cline. And thanks to Kasey, who even though had a broken leg or shingles or whatever his excuse was for not playing, he came down, and watched. And finally thanks to Paul, who organized our bid, and did all the legwork to get us into the tournament, and then unfortunately couldn't get down there.
All right gang - that's about it. I hope this wasn't too long that you skipped right down to this line because I aint got nothing left. And now, since I'm sure I smell some pork chop sandwiches somewhere, I gotta go.
I'm out -
Goose