Boston Invite

I'm coming down off the high of the weekend, now. I've also recovered, I think. We got back from the bar about 3:30 Monday morning, and Jake woke me up with his staring at 3:55 to catch our flight. Most people (who read this blog) know, but we ended up 4th in the tournament, with losses to Brute Squad (2), Loose Cannon, and Backhoe. Brute Squad played better than us, although in the second game, I thought we performed much better. Our offense needed to be cleaner, for sure, to beat a team like that. We also need to work on deep defense, and really utilizing our own deep game. The loss to Loose Cannon was really upsetting. We should have pulled that game out, no doubt. The D plays weren't there, and our offense started to make some stupid mistakes, right in the stretch. We were at 9-8 when the cap went on, they scored, then they scored again. We answered and it was a win by 2 situation, so even thought they scored the next one to make it 10-11, we were okay. Then came a really bad decision with no hope for our girl to make the play, and an unguarded deep cut to finish off the game. These are the kind of games I EXPECT to win 3 months from now. Our defense can and will win us games, and so will great receptions. I had my first truly difficult captain moment with Rackages after that game. I was PISSED. After a couple of moments, we were able to huddle up, and that heartened me. It looked like other people felt similarly- not pouty or sad, but mad, wishing they could have done more and wanting to perform better on Sunday. I was still angry, but felt better that others were angry and determined, too. We came out on Sunday to roll Layuma 15-3. It felt like we were almost hitting stride, and in the next game, we did. We beat Lady Godiva 15-5. I think for me one of the best moments of that game was an upline pass Lana had to me that was perfectly placed. I layed out for it, caught it easily, and wound up for an upwind forehand huck to Meghan Conrad, which she caught easily. It was pretty (not the forehand, just the whole flow). That was early in the game, and after that, we were on a roll. Our offense looked about 14 times as clean as the day before, our defense was in shutdown mode. We were up and excited to face Brute Squad in the semis. (We had looked like poopola the day before when playing them) I think they scored the first couple and kept their lead until we were tied at 9s. I couldn't stop smiling, even when we were down 11-14 (Final 11-15). It was awesome to be playing Ultimate- it was fast, it was smart, I was ready to hit the ground, I knew my teammates were, too. It was FUN. Their offense was much cleaner than ours, and once they got a backhand break, if they were within 20 yards of the endzone, it was in. We still had some pretty offense, but fewer quality deep cuts, and WAY too many turns. I think some of our co-ed players (me included) aren't used to throwing the disc so often. We had way too many throwing turnovers. I had 0 drops, which is pretty unusual for me, but we still had plenty to go around. Man, they are a killer, and so hard to work on. I had some throws that didn't get caught that were that thrower/receiver blame combo. I really, really want us to be catching those.

Loose Cannon was probably my favorite team we played- they were scrappy and intense on the field yet laid back off. Brute Squad was fun to play, but not into the sideline heckling/joking. Why play? Backhoe almost didn't play out the 3/4 game. We should have beaten them, losing on universe 10-11. I'll look forward to seeing their full squad face our full squad in Sarasota.

Things to work on (team): Zone. We have to get an effective one working. I think it will be a big focus at practice in a couple weeks. Offense: we need something besides center stack, something that uses our speed. THROWS, THROWS, THROWS!!! Deep: our handlers have to huck, our cutters need to cut deep. On defense: cutting off good breaks! At least force a poor throw. Actually shutting down the sideline; I KNOW we can. there are a few ladies that I think are worried about being beaten deep so play conservedly-that's monkey poo. I know we could play a last back defense that would allow us to shut down that force side.

A few big plays: Tai was pretty big all weekend, usually guarding "the short fast girl", and doing pretty well at it. She had an especially nice snag in the Loose Cannon Game, and a play in the air against, I think, Nemesis. Lana had some money makin' hucks, especially in the Loose Cannon game; as usual, she was open whenever she was needed. Swarty (Dikeman) came up with a huge grab from (sorry Tai) an awful forehand that I think really pumped up the team. Michelle had an awesome layout D bid where the disc was being swung, went high, and both Michelle and her girl turned, ran it down, and laid out for it- it was pretty. Jill had some great grabs on fading discs and a super sweet D on a dump (3/4 game?). Our zone O tended to tear apart the defense- hooray! As I predicted, we placed higher then the VB Boys (6th). I didn't get to watch them play hardly at all, which was a big disappointment; they showed their support during their byes, which was appreciated. A few of us guys and gals did get to hang out on Sunday night- that was fun. Big "play" from that evening would be M.E. decribing his "spin move" after having worked out a lot.

The play that will keep me going: In the Layuma game on Sunday morning I was poaching (and appropriately, I stick by that), but got a little tangled up with another cutter, so was a tad late getting back to my girl, who had the disc. I was looping out to cut off her backhand, knew she would throw it, and layed out. It was kind of high (for me) and I just touched it with my finger- I needed one more inch for a solid D. So at Motown, I want to be able to get that disc. I've taken it easy these few days since, but tonight heralds the renewal of hard workouts.

I lost my cleats. I also lost my Worlds cleats in similar fashion- don't know the last time I had them after playing, but they definitely didn't make it home with me.

Central Region: We beat Nemesis when we were still "off" on Saturday. MOJO didn't win any games on Saturday. I am confident we'll fare well when we meet them at Regies (in Tulsa), but we'll see what the season brings. We should be able to see them a few more times before October. Women's Ultimate is still alive in the Midwest, and I can hardly wait to take it to Nationals.

Cuts to make: Still thinking and conspiring with Shel to get a handle on what our roster will be, and what we need overall from the fabulous group of ladies that tried out in Boston. It won't be an easy decision because everyone seemed to have that love of the disc and just be really happy to be there. I think it will be more of looking at roles that we still need, and who can fully adapt to our style from previous styles they've played than any glaring difference in quality of play. The other problem is that there will probably only be 2-4 cuts out of 12 women. IT would almost be easier to take only 2-4 women than cut that number.

Up coming practice: I think we need some intrateam competitions: 40s, pulls, killers, cheers....oh, speaking of which, we didn't cheer this weekend. My bad; I am normally very adamant about that. So, ladies, start working on your cheers. There will be a competition in 2 weeks.