[TFDA] New Year's Coed Hat Tourney -- Blue Does it Again!
Christian Schwoerke
schwoerkec at yahoo.com
Thu Jan 4 14:07:21 EST 2007
This past Monday, January 1, Team Blue overcame Team Reds rally at universe point to become the
first Triangle ultimate tourney victors of 2007, winning in a time-capped game 9-8.
Sun did not grace the dawn of 2007; instead the new year opened with a grey sky drizzling lightly
over Chapel Hill, with dark, massy clouds slogging above at a 10 mile-an-hour pace. Nonetheless,
some 60 souls braved the weather to play 6 hours of ultimate at the UNC intramural turf fields.
The tourneys luster began to dim with the initial rainfall in the first round of play, and while
it did not stay long, subsequent rains came and went, each coming sooner and falling more heavily
than the last, so that by the time pool play had ended, all of the three teams tied with 2-3
records were vying to forego the privilege of playing in the semi-finals. Thus, there was only
a single elimination game, with only two teams seeking the first laurels of 2007, #2 Red (3-2) and
#1 Blue (5-0).
While games had been slated to be played to 11, only a single game of the 16 played reached 10
during their 50-minute rounds, largely due to the combination of rain and wind. Another factor
was the awesomely short endzone, only 8 yards deep, which made defense easier as teams tried to
adjust their offensive attacks. After pool play, the standings looked like this:
Blue 5-0
Red 3-2
Black 2-3
White 2-3
Green 2-3
Yellow 1-4
The three teams tied at 2-3 had identical point differentials, so all felt equally justified in
insisting that they be allowed to disband and scatter to warmer climes, leaving Red and Blue to
contend for honors.
The previous, pool-played Blue-Red match was won by Blue, 7-6. All of Reds games (win or lose)
were universe points but one, that being their game against Black, which they took 8-5 before
going into the finals. Blue won most of its games handily, including a 10-3 spanking of White and
a similar 7-3 shellacking of Black. However, prior to the finals, Green had pushed them to a
time-capped universe point at 6s.
To further set the stage, Red lost two of its players through the days play, Alison Murray to the
cold and wet, and Cameron Cockman for unknown reasons. Blue took the first two points, behind the
play of Nan Gao and Chris Shepard who both controlled the disc for goal-scoring shots. Red
answered with a singleton, when Baker Pratt at last made his debut in the finals, at first
dropping the pull, then regaining favor by making a full extension layout for the goal. Blue then
ran off two more goals using a switching/poach defense that relied on Leslie McCormacks excellent
anticipation of Reds offensive movements. Nonetheless, Red answered again. After another Blue
score, Mike Soo helped Red score two in a row, bringing the tally to 5-4, Blue. One more goal by
Blue gave them half.
Coming off the short half, Red strung together two goals to tie the game at 6s. Blue finally got
its offense clicking and scored on a short pass to Victor Maneilly. After pulling, Blue then used
a zone defense to regain possession and score again, bringing the game to 8-6, Blue. Time cap had
been imposed, and it was now a game to 9. Red controlled the disc for an error-free sequence,
putting them down by one, 7-8. There were several turnovers in the subsequent point, with Red
gaining control near mid-field when an errant throw (due to cold, unresponsive fingers never
opening properly) gave Blue possession and a quick strike for the game-winning goal.
Congratulations to repeat hat winners Leslie McCormack, Chris Shepard, and Victor Maneilly for
their Post-Turkey Day and New Years Day titles. Additional kudos go to Nan Gao (running hard
despite leg cramps) and all of the other members of steady-playing Blue, including: Brooke Steele,
Jen Cornejo, Brendan Bulik-Sullivan, John Setzer, Joe Wolhar, and Thomas Wicker. Daniel Dayton
was the big man on Red, behind the good and steady play of Mike Soo, Baker Pratt, Chuck Yu and Rim
Vilgalys. Props to all of Reds women (Anne Burroughs, Caitlin Burke, and Christina Beauchamp)
who took turns trying to out maneuver Blues Leslie McCormack. Special thanks to Tuba Bensonjaja
for appearing out of nowhere to assist Yellows team, which had two no-shows.
Red Black White
Alison Murray Christina Sheedy Ellen Mitchell
Anne Burroughs Denice Cunningham Janna Coulter
Caitlin Burke Frannie Goodrich Lauren Gardner
Christina Beauchamp
Arnett Brown Xian Schwoerke Brian Scott
Baker Pratt Daniel Oates Dan Parrish
Chuck Yu Dave Cesa David Kaminski
Cameron Cockman Dave Anderson Erik Jolles
Daniel Dayton Dusty Hoefer Garrett Dyer
Jason Fortner Ian Phillippi kris bass
Michael Soo Joey Connelly Marc Kessler
Rim Vilgalys Kevin Oates Thomas Kehl-Fie
Blue Green Yellow
Brooke Steele Martha Jolly Jennifer Coon
Jen Cornejo Sharon Tucker Lindsay Lang
Lesley McCormack Stephanie Hellberg Mimi Phan
Su Wu
Brendan Sullivan Geoffrey Bell Chris Winkler
Chris Shepard Johnathon Stevens Joseph Jansen
John Setzer Joseph Lallier Karl Gyllstrom
Joe Wolhar Nick Crawford Phil Prudich
Nan Gao Nick Poore Rich Bolen
Pete Maniloff Ryan Smith Tim Woods
Thomas Wicker Steve Frame Tom Munoz
Victor Maneilly Tom Lyndes Troy Revell
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