Game 1: Dayton
The 1st seed in our pool, we had to win this game to have a chance to play into the Champ Bracket. We won the flip, and started with the disc going downwind. An unfortunate drop on a swing gave Ghetto a short field, and an easy upwind break score, giving us a whole to fight out of. We converted every downwind for the rest of the game, no matter how many tries it took. Our Zone dominated their offense, and gave our shaky D-line O all the chances it needed. We went down at half 7-5. After their first downwind after half, 8-5, we had to get going. In the next 7 points, we scored two upwinds, with contribution from everybody. Great handler movement from David and Crack especially, and a sweet point block on the goal to give us another chance at an upwind score. After the horn blew, we scored a downwind to tie it at 10. DGP with the Gnomes going upwind and needing to D up first. Hero line gets a turn and works it up the field, Don catches a goal, Gnomes 11 Ghetto 10.
Game 2: Minnesota State Mankato
We lost the flip in this game, but came out and battled for the first upwind, and after a super long, cold, brutal point, we put in the break. Our zone fought through the developing mud pit for the rest of the game to keep their O at bay, and our upwind O got close a couple of times but couldn't quite connect on another break. The rest of the game we held serve to end up winning 10-7. Killer Whale Shark Whales are born.
Game 3: Hope College
This was our biggest win of the day. Our zone held their O at bay, getting ample downwind chances at scores, and our upwind O put in two breaks, and got close on several more. Highlight of the game was Rob killing their spirit with a layout Callahan. Gnomes win 11-7.
Game 4: St Louis
This game was for our play in to the Champ Bracket. St Louis lost their games in the power pool, and we came into this game riding the momentum of three straight wins, despite mother nature's attempt to ruin the day. We lost the flip for the third straight time, their score the downwind, and our zone gets beat all the way up the field. Down 2-0. Its do or die time, and we load a line to go upwind, which scores at will, plus the downwind, its all tied up again. We put the same line back in, and score another break up wind, and hold back downwind, ISU 4-2. We trade points till its 6-5, with SLU going upwind. This was the closest we got to giving up an upwind point without actually conceding. This point drags on for about 15 minutes, and SLU gets the disc to the goal line and calls timeout. After TO, ISU buckles down in zone and forces a turn. SLU gets to the goal line again, and we play great man, and force a high stall turn. We eventually hold the point and score downwind. ISU takes half 7-5. We come out of half to take our downwind with our O-line and the horn blows. ISU wins 8-5.
Despite Sunday getting cancelled, ISU ultimate plays one of its best tournaments ever. We showed resolve and guts, and never gave up on a point. Active sidelines and great intensity helped us to these wins. Keep working gnomes and we will have days like this come sectionals. Keys to success will be converting on O after our D-line gets turns, and maintaining possession as an O-line. Great tournament Gnomes, now lets go after Huck Finn.
