Coming off a tough loss last week, we were looking to bounce back this week. Game one was against Best Friends, Nathan and Bailey, who were the only blemish on Michelle and I’s otherwise perfect season last league. With the wind playing a significant role is today’s games, I was hoping that Nathan wouldn’t be the garbage man like he was the last time we played. Things were looking good for us early as we started on offense going upwind and held against their zone after a cross field floaty flick from me to Emory that had everyone holding their breath with Nathan trucking full speed at her. An early turn on the next point led to a quick break and it looked like Best Friends were going to continue where they left off last week. But Coach Ric would not go quietly and led his Friends back to 2-2. We would go on another two point run, followed by a 2 point run from them and another 2 from us to take half 6-4. Sloppy upwind play from both teams led to an eventual huckfest and risky downwind shots. Nathan was a bit off today, but he still caught a garbage huck on me right out of my hands. Our handling core, deep lady roster, and tired legs from Best Friends led to a second half rout, ending the game with a goal from us at hardcap, 9-5.
Coming into this week, I felt that we hadn’t successfully used our biggest assets, our ladies. The mission today was to figure out how to do so and boy did we succeed this game. Emily had 2 scores, Liz had 2 scores, Emory had 3 scores and Michelle was there!
Game 2 was against the ever dangerous Travaglini clan. Knowing that Dustin could put the disc anywhere on the field, wind or no wind, we made sure that our strategy was that of containment. None of our ladies felt up to covering Team USA’s Kate so Jared and I took turns. While we were able to limit her from beating us deep, she still wrecked both of us in the short field and got several backhand hucks off that led to goals. A few points before half, Dustin stopped coming on the field (stomach bug 🤮), which left the Fantastic Fourhands without a flick hucker. After a very close first half where we found ourselves down 4-5, we went on a big run and finished out the game, 11-6.
Kate was every bit as good as advertised and captain Aiden had one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play, including a simultaneous catch against me that went to him as the offender.
Pat had a great game for us with an assist, 2 Ds, and 3 scores, including a ridiculous back line layout catch. We were struggling to get any momentum going upwind, but Emily was able to push the disc up to me in power position which led to a 3/4 field huck that Trey was able to outrun Dustin to catch for the goal. After weeks of struggling to complete hucks to our ladies, I completed several to Emory and Liz!