Hey Everyone--

This Saturday we played the Armadillos Amarillos at Anacostia.  While we lost by a score of 15-8, it was a valiant effort, considering almost everyone on the team had gone to Shippensburg the night/morning before and played in 4 Ultimate games.  In other words, we were tired as hell.  

However, in spite of that we were able to keep the game from turning into a blowout, and were able to bring the score almost to even two times.  We even held the lead early on (briefly), when we scored within seconds of the first pull.  Overall then, a good effort, and don't worry...our record will be fine, and we have the skills and team flow to beat the Armadillos in the playoffs if we happen to be in their pool.  

On offense, we had trouble getting our flow established, and also had a little problem with our cuts (again, mainly due to fatigue).  However, we were able to get some nice solid drives working down the field, and also had a few really beautiful long pass plays.  And, oh yeah, we also completely worked the Armadillos cup defense, even with how tired we were.  Overall then, while the level of offensive play would not be good under normal conditions, it was pretty good considering our energy level for the day. 

In terms of our defense, the quality of our play was below our normal standards, but again, that can be accounted for due to our fatigue.  It was pretty damn hard running the cup for prolonged periods of time, and on man, we were facing fresh people who hadn't had to play 4 games the night before.  Yet even in spite of this, we were able to force several turns and block several passes.  Overall, then, a nice effort under the circumstances.

In terms of individual efforts:

Sean:  If there was an MVP award for each WAFC game, Sean would definitely get it this week.  Even after the games the night before, Sean still came out strong and gave his all, making some diving defensive stops, some beautiful long throws, and some excellent grabs. My aunt was thouroughly impressed.

Mao:  Matt helped us handle and keep our heads, even when the score was starting to mount in the other team's favor.  In addition, he made some nice defensive plays, such as knocking the disc out of the air several times just when it was about to fly into the hands of an Armadillo receiver.  Nice long throws as well.  Good job.

Jeanie:  Great effort and spirit out there today, as Jeanie played the entire game, from start to finish.  Jeanie did well in the wing position on the cup, and made some nice cuts out there even when I'm sure she was tired out.  Wonderful attitude out there, and great effort even under some tiring situations.  

Kemp:  In his second game as a member of the WAFC team, Kemp has forced me to come to the conlusion that in spite of every appearance to the contrary, he actually is a damn good ultimate player.  Nice playing in the cup, and good playing on offense in making some tough grabs. I guess Kemp will make it at least another week without being cut...

Michelle:  Thanks to Michelle for coming out and playing every point of the game (though she almost gave me a heart attack when she originally called and said she wouldn't be coming). Great job and great effort. Nice cuts back to the disc which allowed for some nice completions.  Also, good defensive effort as both a wing in the cup and as a cover in the man defense later on in the game.  Nice job.

Alan:  You wanna know what spirit is?  Its coming out to a game even after having played 4 games the night before AND having a bit of the stomach flu on top of that.  Great spirit on Alan's part, and nice play out there as well.  Alan was indispensable as a handler on Saturday, played nicely in the cup, and helped urge the team on even when it began to tire out.  Nice effort.

Tim:  Nice job out there today, as Tim came through both in the cup (he knocked down the first play of the game for the Armadillos, setting up our first point) and in the offense.  Nice patience out there, and great attitude as always.  Thank god Tim was able to come to the game even after winning his band competition the night before...we really needed his fresh pair of legs.

Jeff:  As always, Jeff continues to impress.  He did a nice job breaking the Armadillos cup with his popping cuts, as well as with his patience that got the disc back to the handlers and set up the cup-breaking offense.  Nice job on the defensive end of the field as well.
Great effort out there.

Galen:  Beautiful flicks as always from Galen, as he has truly become the master of the medium to long range throw.  Some really nice endzone throws to the open men which helped us score some points during the game.  In addition, a couple of beautiful pulls that really helped us set up our defense down the field.  Nice job.

Dave:  Apart from the fact that his parents and aunt made him walk home after the team's loss, Dave had an okay day out there on Saturday.  He made some nice popping cuts which helped break the Armadillo cup, and made some nice completions, including one or two in the endzone.  Nice effort.  

Like was said before, we played this game under some pretty extraordinary circumstances, ones that won't be repeated for the remainder of the season.  While it would have been nice to win, we don't have anything to feel bad about....it was still a fine effort considering everything. We know its disappointing, but, still, it was a real show of spirit, and we thank you for it.

We don't have a game next weekend, so the next WAFC game is Saturday, November 3, when we will be having a doubleheader.  If you aren't going to be able to make it, please let us know soon.  Please try and come if you can, since its going to be a doubleheader.  Check the team website for game times and other important info.  See you at practice on Thursday.