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LA Metro(4)
Brown Chicken Brown Cow(5)
S.F. Rush(8)
That's What She Said(9)
GNT(12)
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I'll say it right out, Cal-States is probably my favorite Ultimate tournament that I have played to date. Not only are the fields gorgeous, but it also pits the best club teams on the West Coast against each other in a pre-season mentality where each team is still trying out players. I've looked forward to it all year, and here on the eve of it, I am getting quite anxious at lab.
We're seeded 4th in the mixed division behind CTR, Mischief, and Night train; despite placing 2nd in this tournament last year (losing to Mischief 13-11), beating Night Train twice and placing 3rd in the Southwest Region. I guess it comes down to the reputation of the regions. The Northwest has long been stronger of the two regions when compared to the Southwest in both mixed, open, and womens. Regardless, we're the top Southwest seed and in this early tournament we hope that we can just make waves and prove our seeding wrong in the best way possible.
Without a doubt, our rivals last year were our friends from Brown Chicken Brown Cow. All the drama, all the controversy, all boiled down to what was the most intense game of ultimate I had ever been a part of up in the thin air of Colorado in the Quarters of the Southwest Region. We pulled away with a universe point win, ending their chances at nationals while barely missing a trip to Sarasota by a mere 5 points. There definitely was a rivalry and some amount of dislike between the two teams on the field. This year, we don't have to wait until Sectionals or Regionals to play them as the TD's have graciously scheduled our first round game agains the two premire co-ed teams from the city of angels. It should be a closely contested game with both teams throwing their big guns early. We need a quick start and sound play from our top players to really set the tone for this game and to get our intensity to where it needs to be. This game will undoubtably test how well we get out of the gate and how we react to a good team like BCBC.
The other teams in the pool I am less familiar with. S.F. Rush is a new Bay-area based team that from what I hear picked up some people from the recently disbanded Brass Monkey. They didn't do well at DUI but look for them to get their game together and hopefully the game will be a good one. Those Bay Area guys sure can disc. GNT is ranked last in the mixed division, but we found out last year at Discos Calientes in Chico, CA that a slow start can doom us, even from a pick-up team like GNT. We came out flat against them, albeit with 2/3 of our squad, and got rolled 13-7. It was a gut check for us and although we played poorly, I know for a fact that every player who suffered that loss won't remember how we lost that game, but rather how we picked up our game and completely ruined the next team 13-2. Ultimate is a game about momentum, runs, and desire. I know for sure that I won't underestimate any of these teams tomorrow. Each person needs to come into each game playing like it's the game to go. If we're to break seed, we will also need to upset the #1 seeded CTR who beat us on Universe Point during Labor Day last year. Our losses to GNT and CTR all came with short-lined squads, with key losses due to injury. We're healthier this year, and hopefully we'll take this opportunity to show them what so-cal ultimate is about.
The buzz on the team is earning another crack at Mischief. We beat them at DUI in 2008, but lost a close and thrilling game at Cal States 08 14-12, after clawing back from being down 8-4 to take the lead at 12-11. We couldn't close the door on them and with a couple unforced errors, Mischief went on a 3-0 run to win the game and take the Cal States tournament. We played them again at Labor Day, going up 6-2, taking half 8-4 but then losing our focus and dropping the game. It was tough, but it was encouraging to our young team to know that we could hang with a team that has placed well at Club Nationals for the last couple years.
It's year two for LA Metro. No more "first year" excuses, no more unfamiliarities with the offensive strategy. It's Sophomore year. Time to really show that we belong with the best in the region and the nation. Cal States will be a good measuring stick for how much our team needs to push to acheive its full potential. I'm excited for this season. I'm excited for this tournament. I'm excited for each and every point of this season.
Till next time, gone discin' in Santa Cruz!
-Hammie #10
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