Hey Folks--

Kickass game out there today!!!  That was the best comeback in CUltimate history, a game to go down in the history books! 

To recap, today's game against Free Range was really a tale of two halfs.  In the first half, we played some of the poorest Ultimate that we've played all season.  Nothing was clicking, we were dropping our throws, and we could never set up our cup defense since our offense couldn't score.  We we're having messy cuts, no flow, and turnovers deep in our own half of the field.  As a result, we went scoreless in the first half and ended up trailing 0-8.

However, that was not the end of the story. During halftime, we talked about the problems we'd been having so far, worked out some of the kinks, and decided to play point by point the best we could.  We also instituted a more dictatorial style in terms of substitutions, which helped us get a better control over the flow of the game. Shaking off the memories of our dismal first half, we headed back out onto the field determined to make a game of it.

In the second half, we came out strong with this new spirit.  Things didn't start off particularly well, as we lost the first point and fell behind by a score of 0-9.  However, we regrouped, started making some nice, patient offensive drives, and scored our first point of the game.  After that, everything started clicking and we started to play to our full potential.  We were able to establish our cup, with some awesome wing work and great cup play.  On the offensive side, we really picked up our quality of play, and started to make some really impresssive drives.  In fact, we went on a 12-2 run to take the lead for the first time at 12-11, then fought more or less point for point after a couple of questionable calls until we were tied at 15-15, with a hard cap at 16.  

We started off the point on defense, and as it had done throughout the entire game, our cup shut down the Free Range offense and forced a turnover.  We then steadily worked down half the field, got to the goaline, and then tossed it in for the score.  The reaction on the field and on the sidelines was amazing!!!  It was really an awesome moment for the team, as we pulled off a 16-15 win after having fallen behind initially by a score of 0-9.  Greatest comeback ever!!!  

In terms of our Offense, to be blunt, we pretty much couldn't do anything in the first half. Our passes weren't crisp, our catches were nonexistent, and our cuts were sloppy and unsuccessful. However, by the time the second half rolled around, our offense really picked it up and ended up going on a 16-5 run!  Great throws, nice pops and handling against the Free Range cup, and amazing patience in working the disc down the field.  An outstanding offensive effort.

However, the defense was really the key to our comeback.  In the first half, we were never able to establish our cup, and as a result we were getting beaten on play after play.  However, with our new attitude in the second half, we were able to establish our cup, with strong work from all positions, cup, wings and deeps.  We absolutely shut down the Free Range offense, preventing them from advancing the disc down the field and forcing them to make poor passes and several turnovers. Excellent effort by everyone in buckling down for the second half and literally turning the game around, giving the offense a chance to score.  

In short, kickass game today! In terms of individual efforts, everyone played great and contributed to this victory.  Some particular efforts of note were:

Erica: Excellent enthusiasm and work in the cup, good cuts, nice grabs, solid play all around.  Good pass to Alan for a score, and great catch in the endzone.

Mao:  Though he started off a little slower than we're used to, Mao had a great second half out there today.  Good handling, nice defense down the stretch, and nice leaping grabs.

Megan:  Excellent work in the cup and as a wing.  Nice cuts and grabs, and nice patience to keep our offensive drives going in the second half.

Tim:  Even with a bit of a birthday hangover, Tim did an awesome job as a wing man in our cup defense.  Nice medium range cuts, and overall good play.  The curse has been broken!!!

Jeff:  Nice long throws to the endzone, good popping, nice patience on Offense and good fakes.  Not to mention some really impressive grabs.

Michelle:  Excellent catches near the ground.  Its clear that Michelle has found a solid home in the cup.  Good choices on throws, and great play all around.

Ray:  Way to follow the play on the field by catching a tipped offensive throw and helping on the defense.  Good hustle and cheering from the sidelines...way to play even with a recovering collarbone!

Anya:  Nice way staying with some very fast ladies on the other team, and way to help build team morale with a great attitude.  Also, great playing in the cup, helping to shut down the Free Range offense.

Sarge:  Nice handling, great spirit as always, and some really nice long cuts.  Good defense, including a pivotal block while in the cup, and good play overall.

Galen:  Three cheers for the birthday boy!!!  Not only was he the source of our pre-game cheer, but Galen really did some nice playing in the cup, good hustle on the field, and made some nice catches.

Sean:  Awesome performance all around, within the cup, as a handler, and as deep deep in the cup.  Amazing Greatest play near the sidelines, as Sean caught his own throw in midair and put it back in play. Also, way to make the ride home an adventure.

Kemp:  Also known as the Ruler of the skies, Kemp played amazingly today, with some excellent long cuts, and some outstanding work as a wingman on the cup.  The wings were key to making the cup work, and Kemp played the role very well...even if he is asexual.  

Alan:  Great leadership on the field, nice handling, good playing in the defense, and nice throws (not to mention some nice grabs).  Alan helped keep the team going even when it slipped in the first half.  

Dave:  In the second half, Dave took charge to spearhead the comeback and bring us to within an 11-7 defecit before returning to the sideline.  Interesting bobbles resulting in catches, and nice popping.

Again, everyone played amazingly in the second half.  Thanks to everyone also for allowing us to take a more dictatorial style in substitutions than is usual.  It was necessary to establish the flow of the team and get the team a little more ordered.  Thanks for understanding, and contributing when you were on the field!!!

Again, amazing comeback. We actually get two wins for the day, as the second game of our doubleheader was a forfeit since Flippin Discs couldn't get there people to the game.  We are now 5-2, and in a strong position to take our division in the tournament.  Lets keep playing the way we did in the second half of the Free Range game!!!  The division championship is now ours for the taking!!!

There will be another doubleheader next week, so check out the team website to find out the schedule for those games. Again, great game everyone...one of the best games CUltimate has ever played!!!

Dave and Alan