World Flying Disc Federation | 2004 World Ultimate & Guts Championships | World Games | 2006 World Ultimate Club Championships | 2006 World Juniors Ultimate Championships | 2008 World Ultimate & Guts Championships - Juniors
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By: John Sandahl
Though we would not be playing for the highest prize we were still in the running for a medal and extra points towards the world cup of Ultimate which helps ensure that the US gets a bid to the next world games. Hardware is always nice.
The girls found themselves awake early for this game which was to be played in the Main stadium site bright and early at 830am. Luckily for the legs of the US and Colombian players, the heat was a bit lower and in fact at game time it was a perfect setting. Sunny with a very slight breeze and a crisp green field waiting for some action.
Our team didn't really expect to be seeing Colombia after our loss as they had beaten Australia twice before the semifinals and we assumed they'd get the win again in semi's as well but it turns out beating a team more than once is hard - especially when your teams are as evenly matched as those two were. Colombia had worked an 14-11 lead in the game but a late charge by the Aussies earned them a 6-1 run and the win (fueled by a crafty strategy of saving their 4-Cup zone for the end of the game, and a lack of depth on the Colombian squad). But as we started to warm up before our game, you wouldn't have guessed the Colombians were dispirited since their coaches wouldn't allow it. They were looking crisp and prepared.
We won the flip and elected to pull to start since our team strength is defense. During our team huddle we talked about how hard it is to win a game like this since there's a tendency to be playing yesterday's mistakes through your mental pathways instead of today's plays. We talked about staying present in this game and giving 100 percent for 100 minutes. 100 for 100. We wanted it and we wanted some mojo back in what had been a very up and down week.
The first pull sails in and we get a quick break when Colombia makes a rare misthrow and Amber Sinicrope hits Sarah Scott for a simple goal and just like that we're on the board.
But right behind were the Colombians. Their all-world cutter - #14 Yina Paola Cartagena is as good as any Jr age woman I've seen at getting open under and she has a way of catching every disc thrown at her and completing every pass she attempts. She also has a knack for getting open even though we're constantly throwing brand new defenders at her and doing everything we can to stop her from being effective. Given the strength of our team and individual defense, let's just say She's a baller.
Yina throws the first goal for them and just like that they break us back and are up 2-1. Luckily for us, Erica Baken hit her Hopkins High School teammate Elise Rasmussen with a long strike and it's game on.
Fast forward a bit to 4-4 and we find both teams starting to feel the effects of almost two straight weeks of training for and playing in this tournament. No amount of practice can prepare you for the ultra marathon that is a worlds tournament and the Jr. Girls division seems to be hit the hardest since they routinely have more turnovers and therefore longer points. Its not uncommon (as was the case against Canada) for both teams to have 5-7 fairly clean points with only a handful of turns between them, but by the end you might see 7 turns from both teams. This means the war of field position is important and wearing your opponent out and not getting worn out yourself is just as important.
There were a few moments where communication issues (international ultimate uses English but that doesn't mean that everyone understands everything that is said) which lead to some slightly heated discussions between players and coaches from both teams. One spirit Time out later and both coaches and players agree to do a better job of communicating with each other and not to let too many calls interrupt what has been a great and spirited pairing of teams.
Unfortunately, the U.S. hucks and legs were not connecting and Colombia starts taking advantage ever so slowly to build a lead working almost exclusively through their top 3 or 4 players who carry a heavy burden for the team. The crowd gasps and shouts and each catch it contested by a US player with layout after layout but they're all a few inches short. The sidelines are starting to fill with US fans including the boys who didn't have to play till their 245pm final. But the fans aren't liking what they're seeing. At 7-4 Eileen Murray (U.S. head coach) decides we need some refocusing and calls a time out. It seems to work as we run off two of the next three to bring the game back to 8- 6(though certainly not turnoverless) points. McKain throws a redzone flick to DePalma and Amber Sinicrope throws a Cross field looper to Kimber (Think of trees falling) Coles. Then we get another just after halftime (which was shortened because of the 45minute or 9 points whichever comes first rule). Just like that its 8-7 and we're right back in it.
All tournament we talked of trying to "win the sidelines" since we lost our first game to Colombia. We want to be just as up and excited when the other team scores as when we score since we can't let our disappointment from the last point affect the next. But when Colombia scores the next three points you can feel the air slip out of the teams sails. We just weren't as confident that we can pull out the win and though we score the next goal almost immediately, the cap is on at 11-8 and we're now racing to 13 with a 3 point disadvantage and a bit of a quiet energy. People hadn't given up but after the next goal By Colombia (12-8) even the U.S. fans and parents could be seen with their heads down. One more point and it'd be over.
Our problem is offsense. We can shut down any team hereoften getting D's when the thrower literally can't find an open pass for 10 full counts. I think I've counted 7 uncontested stall count D's where the thrower didn't even try and throw. Its happened in nearly every game. We have great marks and even better downfield D. But for some reason on O we're zigging when we should have zagged. Naturally we as coaches have been trying to work things out but with only limited success against the better teams.
We get one D after another but seem just as eager to give it back on a close throw or questionable decision. While we need to start a run about the only thing working with any regularity is our deep game and we talk about trying to stretch from the sidelines.
Receiving 12-8 we make a couple silly mistakes and so does Colombia. Really tired people are saying. There's lots of turns for both teams but somehow Kimber guts out a score.
We decided to leave some of our key offensive (and for that matter Defensive) players in for consecutive points despite our depth as we need to get more efficient on offense. Sophie and Amber stay on the field. Lane, Bailey, Paula, and captains Anna Snyder and McKain come in. we're stacked.
We force a bad huck from Yina's Colombians and the three captains run a handler weave, determined not to give it back. Near the endzone Anna Snyder springs open and one simple backhand from McKain later and its 12-10.
Amber and Sophie say they can stay. So do McKain and Anna S. Kimber Elise and Sarah Scott (arguably our three most consistent downfield players) come in for Bailey and Lane and paula who got us the D. we get a turn near our own endzone and the first chance we get Amber hucks to Elise which she skies to get but she's just outside the endzone...but here comes Kimber and Elise flips it to her. It's a game!!
But on the catch Elise's defender toppled out of bounds and called injury so the goal is wiped away. Colombia tightens up near the endzone and Elise is forced to throw it away. Its heartbreaking.
But Colombia misses on almost the next pass and we suddenly have only 15 feet to make it a one point game. Elise looks off a throw or two waiting for the right opportunity and here's the sure handed Sarah scott for the goal. 12-11. IT'S A GAME!!!!
Amber, Emelie, Sarah Scott, Sophie, Kimber stay on. Bacon, Depalma come on for Anna and Elise.
Colombian's confidence looks shattered. Yina keeps making plays (as do several of her teammates but they just don't have the crispness. They have two chances to seal it from less than 10 feet away and one goes sailing out of bounds. One Depalma sky's for and saves the day. On their third turnover, Colombia hucks it out the back but Depalma's Troublesome quad (which has been bad all week) goes and she's forced to take an injury sub. Anna comes in to replace her. All three captains have now been in for 3-4 straight points. This is after 10 straight DAYS of playing ultimate.
McKain and Amber look to get the disc upfield but their defenders are poaching the lane to prevent an upfield throw and McKain and Anna are forced to throw 6 or 7 passes that loose ground in the endzone. We're all trying to get them to huck it. Out of nowhere comes Amber to catch an upfield pass and Immediately hucks it without even looking upfield just to avoid disaster near the endzone. As if reading her mind, Sophie (who also has played four points in a row) starts running. It's a perfect huck and it lands in her hands uncontested 10 yards from the endzone. Kimber is racing down field and one slick move later its 12-12. Oh my goodness.
Universe point and since theirs no hard cap at worlds the sidelines are crammed with players from the two teams after us and from the US vs. Canada Mixed semi one field over.
Emelie, Amber, Anna, Sophie all stay. That's 4 or 5 in a row folks. Gutsy. Anna Reed, Bailey, and Elise come back on for downfielders who are always running a bit more.
And now Colombia is feeling the pressure since they turn it over within 5 passes. We have 60 yards for the win.
And something just clicked. Anna Reed to Anna S to Amber. To Bailey under. Will she huck it? Here comes Sophie for a 25 yard perfect under strike continue cut. We're 10 yards out. Elise she's her chance and one perfect throw later and the US wins the bronze medal. Perfect offense against a VERY fast team. Finally!
The girls run to elise and the coaches to each other. No one can believe it. What a way to end the tournament.
Afterwards nearly everone on both teams traded gear with the other. These teams really do admire the other. Each team appreciate's the others story. We All cheer for Ultimate in our two team final huddle. It's a great day.
By: Berend Van Heuvelen
USA was coming off an unexpectedly tough semifinal match up against Germany, which the Germans had tied at 5-5 before the USA pulled away to win 17-6. The Canadians, on the other hand, had looked stronger and stronger following their pool play loss to the USA, having demolished the previously undefeated Colombians, then soundly beating a surging Great Britain team in the other junior open division semifinal. Despite a lopsided win over the Canadians in pool play, the USA boys were preparing for a dog fight.
Junior Open Finals started at 2:45pm. Canada wearing red, USA in all white. Canada pulls, USA handlers work it across the field in a horizontal offense. Canadian boys bring heavy defensive pressure. Second throw of the game, Milo Snyder is fouled on an attempted breakmark around backhand. USA boys respond to the pressure and the physical Canadian marks with composure, work the disc downfield with underneath cuts, transition to vertical offense near the red zone, and score. This point would set the tone for the day for the USA offense, which relied on team speed to get open on cuts towards the disc.
Second point of the game, USA on defense. In the first USA-Canada match up, the Canadians had completed several nice forehand hucks; their offense, and their team psyche, seemed to thrive along with their deep game. The game plan was to make the Canadians miss on at least a couple of their early hucks. USA came down on a George Stubbs pull in a flat/shade backhand man-to-man defense, with downfield cutters taking away deep cuts, forcing Canadian receivers underneath. USA defenders used their speed to hassle handlers and close ground on cutters, forcing Canadians to move the disc downfield by threading tough inside-out backhands to the break side. Eventually, one of those backhands missed, USA took possession at midfield, and worked the disc into the endzone with a handler-dominated vertical offense.
For the rest of the first half, both teams made big plays. The difference seemed to be that the Canadian offense relied more heavily on playmaking, while the USA offense – both vertical and horizontal – was clicking best when throwing to cutters underneath. Both teams threw zone defenses for a few of the first half points. USA handlers broke the Canadian zone with fast and dishy handler work from Alex Thorne, Jeremy Norden, Jonah Herscu, Russell Wallack, and Milo Snyder. USA handlers would crash from the backfield into the cup, then step past the middle-middle to throw to poppers or wide wings. The USA's zone defense was a 1-3-3 masterminded by USA Masters player Bill Stewart, refined by Tiina Booth and her Amherst Regional High School boys, and happily stolen by the USA junior team. The 1-3-3 generated a couple of turnovers, but the USA recognized that its team psyche down the stretch would come from its man-to-man defense; after two early points of full-field 1-3-3, the USA boys would only throw the junk D sparingly, in transition, to break the offensive flow and interrupt any set pull plays.
The halftime score was 9-3, and after the half, the USA boys looked like they would continue to roll, scoring the first point after playing team shut-down defense that forced the Canadian handlers either to try to thread throws into tight spaces or to throw deep against big flat marks. Canada scored the next point on offense. When it came time for the USA to receive the pull and play offense, it became clear that Canadian defenders had made an important halftime adjustment. They began heavily fronting USA cutters, attempting to deny the possession-oriented game the USA was comfortable playing. The Canada D generated a turnover, and the USA transitioned into a force-flick defense. Canada's handlers, who clearly favor their forehand deep throws, put a perfect pass flat to the endzone for Canada's first break of the game. The next point, same thing: heavy Canadian pressure on the cutters underneath, quick forehand deep strike. All of a sudden the Canadians had scored three in a row. Timeout USA.
USA came out of the timeout in a horizontal offense. Cutters began stacking shorter and striking deep more frequently; throwers began taking opportunities to huck deep, and the USA scored to break the Canadian run. On defense, USA refocused, recommitted to the backhand force, and kept generating Ds. The USA's defensive lapse early in the second half showed how dangerous Canada's offense was, if it was given any room to breathe; the USA defense learned its lesson, and the Canadians would only score once again before the end of the game. Final score, 17-7. USA Boys are world champions.
By: Meredith Tosta
It’s not only the competition that’s been getting hotter, but also the weather. Over the course of the last week it has gone from what parents are calling “perfect Ultimate weather” to “really hot out there”. The heat is taking its toll on players, especially in the mid afternoon games.
The Jr. women started their morning in the cool shade of the U-Hill fields. Warming up for the game against Canada, the focus and drive were palpable. This was the game that would let them into the semis with Japan, Colombia and Australia or send them down to play for 5th. The last match against Canada the US had won 13-10, and beating a team twice in the same weekend is notoriously hard.
A warm up is an important routine for a team to settle into, and the Americans had been using an abbreviated version of what they learned at try out camp to get into their paces. With the addition of an inspirational story from assistant coach John Sandahl, the Americans seemed ready.
The game started with Canada receiving, and they promptly walked it down and put in the first goal. After a US turn, they also converted to make the score 2-0. Not to be outdone, the Americans then matched the Canadians with two goals to tie the game. These two teams are evenly matched in athleticism and skill. Both have three coaches on the sideline to dictate plays and call defenses. What the Canadians lacked was a loud and supportive Jr. open team and mixed team with flags waving. As the teams continued to trade points, often in runs of two, the Canadian sideline which had originally been the dominate voice was slowly muffled by the American fans. The camaraderie that has been built over the past week stretches across all divisions. It’s common to see the Women’s team on the Jr. women’s sideline or the Jr. women at the Mixed game. Though these teams all represent different parts of the country, they really have bonded over representing USA.
At 7-8, the game had been going for some time and it was already evident that it would get capped. The Americans need to get and maintain a lead if they were going to pull out a win. At times the morning focus had waned, but the skills that these players had developed were always there as a foundation, and a few timeouts at key points brought focus back. The US team’s strength is in its gritty shut down defense. There hasn’t been another team this week that has played more stifling person defense or had trickier zones to upset another team's flow. All they need to do to win is to keep composure when they have the disc in hand, especially on the end zone line, where rash decisions are frequently made. Bailey Zahnsier has become the go-to person in the end zone, and the handlers are seeking her out. Amber Sinicrope and Sophie Darch put consecutive goals to Bailey to take the US ahead 9-8. There is a collective sigh of relief as the Americans are finally in the lead.
Perhaps it was to make the game interesting, or perhaps the Jr. women took too big of a sigh, but the Canadians then rallied off two points. The coaches call a time out. Then Canada scores another one. Now there is quite the hole to dig ourselves out of, and time is running out, down 11-9.
Knowing who their go to girl is this game, Julia Snyder unleashes a huge flick and hits Bailey in the end zone to stop Canada’s streak. Down 11-10, the Americans not only need a block, they need at least two. The get the first break, as Julia Snyder now goes for the score from Erica Baken. Canada calls a time out to stop the bleeding. It can’t be stopped: older sister Anna Snyder finds Kimber Coles in the end zone once again.
With the soft cap on, it’s now a game to 15. The Americans find their legs and win the game with their defense, outscoring Canada 3-2 in the cap for a final score of 15-13. Players are exhausted, but so are the fans, who had been holding their breath in between cheers for the entire two hour game.
On another field in another part of the UBC campus, the Colombian and Germany Jr. open teams were battling for the right to play the Americans on the Spirit enclosure fields. In a surprising upset, the Germans had taken control of the game and would close out with a 12-10 victory at the cap.
The Jr. open team took advantage of the late afternoon semi round to took a trip out to a lighthouse for a chance to center themselves and collect their focus for the afternoon. In the past, teams that have given easy victories to the US in pool play have come out gunning in the elimination rounds, and the Americans are determined to keep playing their game regardless of how the other team is performing. This mental toughness has given the edge to the Americans so far this week, and clearly the German team they will face today is not the same one that they defeated 17-2 on Monday.
The game started with the two teams trading two point at a time. At 2-2 the US calls a time out to refocus, and then scores the next two points. The level of physicality that the American and Canadian teams have found comfortable in previous games is not okay with the German team, and the game opens with a number of foul calls both on offense and defense. This is part of the game – teams take the temperature on what is acceptable and what is too much and through the process of self officiating we make those distinctions through our calls, or lack of calls.
At 5-5, it looks like the Germans are going to push all the way through the game. The Americans are making some mistakes, which they don’t often do, and another time out is called. Coming out of the time out, the Americans go on a 12-1 run. Despite two German timeouts in the second half, they only muster one more goal. Across the way, Canada is taking down Great Britain 17-5.
While the Jr. open team is playing the Germans, the Jr. women are going head to head with Japan. Japan has the advantage in this heat of having not played an earlier round today, which is a good thing for this 12 person squad that relies on 4 players to run the offense. To their credit, they may trail on cuts, but the Japanese players go to work on the mark and in their own fakes and throws. The Americans would have to win this game with their legs, because the Japanese were not going to let up once the disc was in hand.
The previous rounds mixed games went to the cap, and both teams were trying to find a space to warm up in between and at the back of fields. It wasn’t ideal, but it was available. The US coaches had watched tape from the previous game and they knew which players they had to shut down. #17 Yumi Amada is the star receiver with 46 goals on the week. She wears a red hat, which makes her easy to spot. #1 Reina Yokota has 49 assists. You can guess who she is throwing to. The Americans felt confident going into the game, with Japan’s small rotation and their win earlier in the week which is Japan’s only loss.
As previously stated, beating the same team twice in one tournament is notoriously hard.
The morning game may have been to the advantage of the Americans to start out, they seemed more ready to play and more focused. At 2-2, they got a break to go up 3-2 and then another to go up 5-3. The Japanese called a timeout, and the Americans scored the next one before the Japanese went on a three point run to bring the game back to 6’s. At this point the fatigue of the morning game began to show. Players with steady hands had drops and it became harder to win the individual battles with their legs.
The middle of the game was a battle, points being traded, runs of two going in both directions, and multiple ties and lead changes. At 10 all, the points were consistently long, with a number of turnovers as both teams were exhausted. Japan was able to pull it together and take advantage of over excited US marks to get off the forehand break to their star receiver going up 12-10. The Americans were not ready to give up just yet and tied the games at 12s.
The soft cap went on with Japan receiving. They worked the disc down and put it in to take the lead once again. The US works the disc down the field and has opportunities on the end zone line but force a throw and end up chasing on D, all the way to the end zone. The Japanese take the game in the cap 14-12.
The tears come, because there is nothing else left to give. The Jr. women gave everything they had and more, leaving it all on the field. Their tournament isn’t over – they still have bronze to play for against a Colombian team that has also shed some tears. But that will come tomorrow.
By: Meredith Tosta
In the nine days since the players and coaches of the US Jr. National teams met for the first time, there have been moments of frustration and growth. Learning to live and work together has been an enjoyable challenge. Tuesday marked the end of the initial round robin for the Jr. women and provided a clean slate from the earlier losses. Win five straight, and you’ve won the tournament. Lose and find yourself playing for 5th. As their time together has passed, the team has sharpened their focus and found their confidence – ready for the challenge.
Wednesday’s play split the 7 teams into a top and bottom pool. The top pool consists of Colombia, Australia and Finland. They are guaranteed in the semis, and playing to establish in what order. The bottom pool, where the US and Canada have found themselves, along with Great Britain and Finland, is fighting for the fourth spot in the semis. Today the US team plays Finland in a morning game and Great Britain in the afternoon. Tomorrow they will tackle Canada.
The morning game against Finland started out in a daze. The Americans appeared to be half asleep, and allowed themselves to go down 0-3 right off the bat. The coaches called a time out and Eileen Murray gave a rousing speech that the Jr. women would later call inspirational. It must have been, because the Americans outscored the Finnish 17-3 from that point on, for a final score of 17-6.
Several US players are working through nagging muscle strains and injuries and were rested for the afternoon game against Great Britain. The Brits had just finished a tough game against Canada where they put 11 points on the board. In talking with a British player, we learned their most experienced player had been playing for approximately three years and the newest player had been in the game for only 6 months. In contrast to the US, our youngest player has at least two years and our most experienced have close to ten. This GB team is young, positive and energetic and we’ll all have to look out for them in 2010. The US was able to work on their handler motion and deep cutting in this game, as well as fine tune some of their crafty defenses. It was a spirited and well played match, with the Americans winning 17-2.
The ladies took the afternoon to cheer on the US women in their game against Japan, then taking in the US open game v. Australia and make an appearance at the Juniors Pool Party for some pizza and pop.
The Jr. open team awoke for an early morning game as well. They had two more round robin games to go, against the undefeated Colombia and the fiery French. By 9am there was a considerable crowd of parents and fans surrounding the field at Jericho beach. The Americans were a little shaky in their warm up drill, and coach Ben Van Heuvelen brought them in for a pep talk to focus.
The games opened with both teams scoring their offensive points, working the disc down the field and being fairly conservative. The field was muddy, and a Colombian player laid out for a D, missed, and had to shake the dripping mud from his arm. At 2-1 it looks like Lee Richardson is going to be poached deep and able to score, but a rushed throw gets intercepted, and the Colombians have earned their first chance for a break. Having worked the disc all the way down the field, it’s only at the end zone line that Jonah Herscu baits and gets a block. Jonah has been playing steady all weekend, despite the splint on his left hand after surgery for a broken finger right before training camp.
Now that the seal of the offenses has been broken, the D’s start coming. At 2-2, Casey Ikeda gets a block coming around on a disc that has shoved up the sideline. Alex Thorne floats a flick up to Andrew Lunetta but he’s outnumbered three to one, and the Colombians have another shot. An uncharacteristic throw choice for Alex, as his throws have been textbook all week.
At 3-2, the Colombians have an unforced error and the Americans capitalize for the first break of the game as Grant Lindsley hits Casey Ikeda for a goal. The Colombians are starting to take risks with big throws, and the next attempt goes out the back of the end zone. A drop by the Americans gives the disc back on the goal line and the Colombians pick up the point, 4-3.
On several occasions US players found themselves poached and able to head for the end zone. This time it works out and Michael Revelas is wide open for a huck and dishes a pass to George Stubbs for the goal. The US would finish out the half this way, earning D’s with their legs, and taking advantage of the benefits of the pressure that is put on the offense. The second half looked much like the first, as only 3 points were allowed in each, for a final score of 17-6.
After a lunch break, the US team took on the French. The half time came after just 21 minutes, but the French outscored the Americans three to one in the first four points of the second half before the Americans clamped down and allowed no additional goals for a final score of 17-3.
The team headed to Jericho beach to take in the gorgeous views and a swim before heading back to watch the Jr. open team play the Australians. Never afraid to mix good competition with good fun, they then took on the diving board at the Juniors Pool Party before heading back to the dorms for a good nights rest.
By: Meredith Tosta
The Jr. women were relying on their opponents, as well as their own play, to get them into the top bracket following the round robin. With losses to Colombia and Australia, but a win against Japan, the opportunity was small for the US team. But if Australia could pull out an upset against Colombia and Colombia could then beat Japan, the US could get bumped up. Unfortunately for the US Jr. women, the opposite occurred with Japan handing Colombia their first loss of the tournament and Colombia soundly beating Australia.
Earlier in the day, the Jr. women had taken down Finland – a team that uses their fast breaks and hucks efficiently for goals. If it weren’t for Emily DePalma having a fantastic deep game, the score could have been closer. The final score was 17-10. The team took advantage of the long lunch break to go back to the dorms, make their lunches and relax for a few hours before facing Canada late in the afternoon.
On another set of fields, the Jr. open team had taken care of business in the morning round and defeated the speedy Japanese team, working past their switchy zone and using height to their advantage and a 17-4 victory. Next up was Team Canada, a fiery squad with bleached and red dyed hair who was all too familiar with battling it out with their neighbors to the south. The game opened with the Americans on defense, and Canada immediately tries to open up their deep game but the disc is overthrown. Taking advantage of the turnover, Russell Wallack hits Grant Lindsley on a huck for a break, 1-0. The next few points fall into a similar pattern of Canada taking deep looks to cutters that have done a good job of getting open, but the throws fall short or out of bounds. The US goes up 3-0 before Canada connects on a flick huck to get on the board. When pulling, the Canadians almost always come down in a three person zone for a few passes to break up a called play. Canada’s #21 comes up big on a couple of occasions, getting a nice block at 4-2, but needing to leave the game after hitting the ground hard. Each team turns the disc once more, and George Stubbs is shoved in the back trying to catch the goal. It’s an uncontested foul and George smartly calls a TO on the goal line. A miscommunication between the marker and the defenders leads to an easy US goal. Everyone is using their deep game, but the Americans are connecting more, as well as busting out half-field hammers for goals and scoobers over the cup. There are hardly any unforced turns when the teams use their short game, and both sides are getting remarkable catch blocks, including Jacob Janin’s grab that left the crowd of spectators speechless. The final score was 17-7, and the Americans continue to be undefeated.
Because of how the morning games had played out, a win in the last game of the day between the Canadian and American Jr. women couldn’t help either team make it to the power pool. They would be playing for seeding into the lower pool round robin. The US team took the opportunity to open up their rotation and continue to work on their offensive movement between handlers and cutters. That did not mean, however, that this game wouldn’t be heated and intense. Both teams had performed below expectations and were frustrated and determined to beat the other. It’s a game of runs, with the US taking the first shot and going up 4-1 before the Canadians answer back and bring the game to 5s. The game has been going on for some time, and under WFDF rules a half is taken at the end of the next point after 45 minutes has elapsed. After taking half, Canada uses their zone and goes on yet another run, pulling ahead 7-9. The US finally takes the deep shots their coaches have been urging them to do all week, and capitalized on some misthrows to bring the game back to 9s. Maggie Fisher is able to hit Emily DePalma for a goal to take the lead again at 10-9. Erica Baken, Sara Scott and Anna Reed are having fantastic games and both reeling in big catches and putting up big throws. In short time the cap goes on and the Americans score twice to win the game 13-10. It’s a big win for the US, as they now go into the power pool having defeated the other three teams once. They need to win against each team one more time to take the last spot in the semis on Thursday.
By: John Sandahl
For those that haven't been keeping up with the online score reports for the Juniors divisions, Day two was a fairly close repeat of Day one. Junior boys showed how dominant they are with a stifling defense and all around solid command of the disc as they rolled to two relatively easy victories 17-2 (over Germany) and 17-4 (over Australia).
The Girls faced a similar dilemma to Day one with an impressive win vs. Japan (17-15) and a heartbreaking loss to the very strong Australians (15-11). Both teams are paced by two players (one thrower and one receiver) but they play very different defensive styles. Japan played almost exclusively person and looks to stop any and all break mark throws. Perhaps to this end, their offense was to look at all times for big loopy break throws to girls from the back of the stack. When the US would let off a break it almost always led to a score. Japan is VERY disciplined and it was only after some very deliberate adjustments that the US girls were able to get some traction. Kimber Coles and Claudia Tajima found their rhythm downfield as cutters as the US worked to at 14-10 advantage and held on to the last break for the two point win after Japan made a late charge. #17 Yumi Amada and #1 Reina Yokota played nearly every point and ran hard to the end but came up short when Amber Sinicrope hauled in the final downwind goal.
Two hours later, the US girls found themselves in a similar battle with the Australians where every upwind score seemed to be huge but this time the Australians came up with the first upwind break on the strength of a smothering four-person cup. This forced a US timeout to regroup and after a few miscues the US had gone from 4-2 to 6-4. Though a four-point run might have been enough to send that four-person cup packing, Australia stuck to their guns and gradually started to force the turns as US handlers found themselves trapped on the sidelines with few options. Meanwhile 15 year old Cat Phillips of the Aussie team was winning the battle in the air and looking to put it - usually to her favorite target, the sure-handed Crystal Cheung. The US had possession nearly every point but the cup seemed to wear out the tired US handlers and with each Aussie score the crowd got louder and more engaged as the Aussies take half 7-8 on the strength of a great grab over the top by Crystal Cheung.
As the second half began, the Aussies cup seemed emboldened by this lead and their quick strike offense seemed to be hitting its stride. Pass, pass, huck - and even without a completion they could trust that the US handlers weren't likely to break the disc as well in the long run. Five points later and the US is looking at 3 upwind breaks for the win, which proves to be too much of an disadvantage.
The simple fact is this: Girls' Ultimate is no longer a one or even two team race on the world level. The Colombians, Australians and Japanese are playing disciplined, structured offense and totally committed team defense. The US can no longer rely on pure talent to win the game. Its going to take some heart. I can't wait till we see a whole day of it. Watch out world…there's some pretty frustrated teenage girls here in Vancouver and they're ready to start swinging back.
By: Jody Avirgan
For the US Junior Boys, Monday felt like the first real tournament day together. After the three day training camp and a one-off encounter with Great Britain on Sunday, the squad was excited to play multiple games in one day. First up was Germany, a team that sported a significant height advantage of the US team. The goals for the game were to provide enough defensive pressure, beginning with the marks, that any hucks to their taller players would float long enough for two or more defenders to make a play on the disc. On offense, the team looked to keep within the system they had implemented at training camp. With twenty-three players from disparate programs, it was critical to get on the same page as quickly as possible. During warm-ups, the US team looked sluggish, and it was not until the captains brought the team together to run sprints across the width of the field that the team realized that they needed to be at game speed from the very first point.
The wind that had steadily built over the course of Sunday was still around, leading to a fairly upwind-downwind game. George Stubbs provided the team with - as usual - a monster upwind pull, letting the defense pin the Germans on the goal line and forcing a late-count huck which fell to no one. Russell Wallack rewarded Stubbs with a shot down the line for the quick break. The same team stayed on the field to complete the upwind break, and once again Wallack provided the assist, this time to big man Nick Stuart. On the third point, Germany's height prevailed, with a quick downfield huck leading to a perfectly placed strike to the cone. USA's offense took the field, looking to score efficiently, but that was not to be. Craziness ensued all around on this point, with tipped discs floating to laying out players, who would get up only to be point blocked or turf an easy swing. Luckily, Germany was matching the US team in turnovers, giving the disc back several times on miscues and wind-induced bobbles. Both teams ratcheted up the pressure throughout the point, realizing that winning a "marathon" point can provide a big psychological advantage. Eventually, the US squad was able to punch it in after a goal-line turn by the Germans. The US coaches called a time-out to remind the team of their goals for the day: the defensive pressure was there, but the team had begun to play outside the system when the going got tough. After the timeout, the Germans continued to run hard and take their shots, but the US marks stayed tenacious and the turns started coming in bunches. Most importantly, the US boys began to run their set plays to perfection, leaving large cutting lanes open for downfield stalwarts Grant Lindsley and George Stubbs, and plenty of room for handler action from Casey Ikeda, Milo Snyder, and Isaac Saul. A 7-1 run brought the team to half time, where the squad resolved to stay hungry and continue to work on the other aspects of their game. In the second half, the US team was able to play their zone defense and gain valuable experience with a D that will surely come in handy as the week goes on.
The down-time between the Germany game and Monday afternoon's match-up with Australia provided the US boys with a serious mental test. Over the course of the morning, friends and family had arrived from all over the country to cheer the team on. Add this to the excitement of teams from all over the world playing as far as the eye can see, and there is no shortage of distractions. The team entered their bye determined to relish the moment but not let their focus waver; there was business to take care of.
The Australia match-up would provide the same sort of tests as the Germany game. The Australians are big - really big - and know how to clear space for their deep cutters. Add to this that US big man Sam Kittross-Schnell was nursing a pulled hammy and sitting out the game, and there was quite a challenge ahead of the young men in the blue-on-blue kits. Moreover, the Australians had been scouting the US squad all tournament and were already familiar with most of the US plays. In the pre-game huddle, the team was reminded of their goals - provide defensive pressure, and play the system. They also changed the audible structure, just to keep those Aussies on their toes.
As with the beginning of the Germany game, zaniness abounded from the get-go. On the first point, the Aussies went deep, on a beautiful strike into the upwind endzone. Alex Thorne made a huge high bid to get a hand on the disc, only to have it pop up as he crumpled to the ground. Nevertheless, the US boys jogged back to the line satisfied that they had provided enough defensive pressure to set a good tone for the rest of the game. The next few points were the same story - tons of bids from players like Lee Richardson and Ollie Honderd, but uncharacteristic point blocks, miscues and wind foibles leading to multiple-turnover points. Eventually, the US found its rhythm, as Casey Ikeda led a fast-moving goal-line attack to bring the score to 2-1 and then 3-1. The Australians switched to a pressure-zone defense which they used in both directions. With lots of coverage around the handlers, the burden was on the US handlers to make difficult throws to punch the disc through the cup and to the downfield players. Ikeda, Julian Childs-Walker (who had a stellar game) and John Terry were able to move the disc quickly, and once broken, poppers such as Andrew Lunetta and Patrick Roberts kept one step ahead of the defense. In the second half, Josh Cincotta couldn't contain himself - he had sat out the first game and the first half of the Australia game nursing a hamstring strain, but he (after consulting with uber-trainer James Pratt) declared himself good to go. Cincotta proved as much by getting a layout block as short deep in the US zone, then scoring the next two goals and getting an assist a few points later. Great work, James! Once again, the second half of the game provided the US with the opportunity to work on weaknesses. The team focused on perfecting their set pull plays, looking to set up players like Lee Richardson and Jacob Janin deep. Janin had yet to flex his deep-cutting this tournament, and the team was eager to see him make a long run. Midway through the second half, they got their opportunity, as a huge downwind huck went up from Patrick Roberts to a streaking Janin. Alas, Janin seemed to be as anxious as the others to see himself score, and he went up a full two seconds to early, only to have the disc sail over his head. But, out of nowhere, Casey Ikeda, the consummate teammate, was there to pick up the garbage and get the goal. This was the story of the day for the US boys - even when plan A didn't go their way, the team played with enough confidence and fire to have each others backs and make successful plays. The story continues on Tuesday with two matches against Japan and main rival Canada. Stay tuned...
By: Meredith Tosta
Dressed in their reds and whites, the US Jr. women had their first match against Great Britain bright and early Sunday morning. Through the use of crafty defenses and quick strikes on offense, the US team was able to capitalize and pull ahead to a 7-0 lead. They would allow only one goal in the first half. The Americans are an athletic team, who move the disc quickly and effectively, able to execute a quick break or call a play. Handlers Erica Baken, Maggie Fisher and Emelie McKain work together to move the disc while mids Bailey Zahniser and Sara Scott aren’t afraid to put it to deeps Lane Siedor and Alisha Kramer. Great Britain never let up the fight, but were overcome 17-3. The two teams huddled up for some post game fun, and GB awarded Bailey Zahniser their MVP award.
Following the Jr. women’s game, the Jr. open team took the field against the Great Britain Jr. open team. Starting on defense, Team USA opened with two breaks, first from Lee Richardson to Tommy Li on the end zone line. This was the beginning of many points where the US would work the disc up the field against aggressive Great Britain marks. The Americans then scored again, on a throw from Grant Lindsley to Sam Kittross-Schnell to go up 2-0. Sensing some urgency, the Great Britain squad dug deep and brought the score back to 5-4, before throwing a 3-person zone that was easily navigated by the US, allowing the score to advance to 6-4. In contrast to the Jr. women’s game on the same field in the previous round, this game was marked with aggressive cutting, the defenders and offenders alike bumping and jarring to get open. The US took half 9-5.
The teams traded points coming out of half, and with the US receiving, the pull is brought down and a huck is immediately misfired to Lee Richardson screeching deep. Despite a score of 10-6, the game feels closer and both teams are working hard to execute their offenses. Now it’s time for the US team to generate a block, and Nick Stuart steps up to the plate with a huge lay out D on an under cut. This fired up the whole sideline and for the rest of the game the pressure would be on the cutters, and the Americans would come up with multiple big blocks.
Throughout the game George Stubbs put up huge floating pulls, and Grant’s pull to Great Britain at 12-6 was no exception. Hovering above the Great Britain handler set, the sideline was screaming to get down and shut down the first throw. An iso shot deep off the pull by Great Britain looks like it’s going to be caught, but somehow Sam Kittross-Schnell makes up the difference and tips the disc away at the last second. Kittross-Schnell earns the bookends as Tommy Li will eventually throw him the goal, bringing the score to 13-6. Not to be outdone, Grant Lindsley then takes the field, and right on the hip of his offensive player leaves his feet to get a block on an under cut and then receive the score from Andrew Kiefer.
Feeling the much needed momentum in a game that’s now opened up to 15-6, Josh Cincotta finds himself in a foot race to Great Britain’s endzone with a speedy receiver, and is barely able to lay out and nudge the disc away and prohibit the score. On offense Ollie Honderd and Jacob Janin work well together, keeping the disc constantly in motion with quick give and gos until they find Milo Snyder open for the goal. 16-6.
At game point for the US, the teams were both continuing to give it their all, and the US was able to end the game on a huck to Grant Lindsley that fell just short of the end zone, giving Andrew Lunetta the opportunity to get open for the final goal, USA wins 17-6.
As the US Jr. women were warming up to take the field against Colombia, the excitement was already building for the country of Colombia. The Colombian team had just went on a huge run late in the game against France to cinch a win and an upset. While the crowds celebrated and sang, the Americans took the field to drill.
It was immediately apparent once the game began that the Colombians were here not just to play, but to win. Receiving to start the game, they worked the disc down the field and put it in. The US then did the same, and the beginning of the game fell into a pattern of trading points in the downwind direction. Amber Sinicrope puts up a big flick huck that hits Julia Snyder in stride for a score of 4-4. Now it’s the Colombian’s turn to go downwind, and both teams are starting to look tired. The US gets a turn and after a long possession working the disc, sends a misplaced huck towards the upwind end zone that is uncatchable out of bounds. Colombia takes possession and immediately calls a time out. Working the disc down the field, they save errant throws with ridiculous grabs and move the disc with incredible speed. Team USA's Erica Baken digs deep and gets a key hand block before the disc makes it too far from the upwind end zone, and the US girls put the disc up for a floating pass that is macked by Elise Rasmussen right into the laying out palms of Bailey Zahniser for the first hard earned break of the game. 5-4.
The US pulls going downwind and brings out a junk D as the Colombians work it towards the upwind endzone. At midfield it looks like the US has gotten a block but it’s returned on a call and Colombian retains possession and gets an upwind goal. In order to maintain their break advantage, the US now needs to score upwind as well. A low swing gets dropped and Colombia is off to the races downfield, breaking the mark around and working it down the break side to score and take the lead again 5-6.
The Colombians decide to pull out a 3-person cup, but the pull was short and they only left the zone on for a couple of throws before switching to person. The US has an unfortunate drop in the endzone but gets it back on a Colombia miscommunication. Bailey Zahniser is everywhere on offense, getting up for huge grabs and hitting her teammates in stride. Emelie McKain gets the dump on the endzone line and hits Emily DePalma for the swing and the score. 6-6.
The Americans are starting to find their fire. Erica Baken is right on the hip of her person and leaves her feet for a high lay out block on an in-cut to get the turn but Colombia’s Laura Ceballos gets a block in return. Not to be outdone, Erica gets a piece on another throw that is deflected but then caught by a heads up Colombian player racing down the sideline and eventually puts it in for a goal. 6-7.
Going downwind, the US runs a pull play that calls for a huck deep that is incomplete. The US women are at the sideline cheering the Jr. women on and the energy seems to be rebuilding once again. Maggie Fisher gets a heads up poach D on a floating pass but two throws later Karen Alexandra Rico from Colombia has a flying superman D on an in-cut to get the disc back. The disc is floated up to the upwind end zone and it looks like it’s going to be a goal but Paula Seville comes up huge with a catch D in the end zone, gives it to a handler and makes a cut but is immediately overthrown. Colombia puts in another break to go up 6-8.
The next point was marked by a number of huck turns by the Americans, as well as a number of blocks to regain possession. Colombia takes a timeout to gain composure and then successfully works the disc down the field to take half 6-9.
Whatever speech coaches Eileen Murray, John Sandahl and Chelsea Putnam gave at half time must have had an effect. With the addition of the Jr. open team cheering on the sideline, the Americans came out and two possessions later Erica Baken launches a high release flick to make the score 7-9.
The Colombians had proved themselves to be a team with sticky fingers, but the US got lucky when a third attempt on a bobbling disc gets dropped. Baken sees the fast break opportunity to Amber Sinicrope who snags it on a layout grab in the upwind end zone to bring the score to 8-9.
The US defense found its legs and shut down cutter after cutter, until Erica Baken calls stall on the mark. Going downwind, Sophie Darch puts a beautiful pass to the back of the end zone, out of the reach of the defenders and to flying Bailey Zahsnier. 9-9.
Colombia receives going downwind and works the disc nearly to the end zone before the US gets a turn. An overthrow down the line leads Maggie Fisher to collide with Sara Scott, but Sara has the disc trapped against her body to save possession. In the excitement, a throw to the dump drops to the ground. Colombia quickly grabs the disc and scores to stop the US run. 9-10.
Anna Snyder brings out the big guns on a huck off the pull to Bailey Zahniser, but it gets D’d. There is a turn by the Colombians on a swing, and the US works it in for a goal. 10-10.
Now it’s Colombia’s turn to go on a run. After a quick score to bring the game to 10-11, they again get a block and work the disc up the fields. Colombia’s cutters are fighting for position but Sophie Darch will have none of it and both Sophie and her offender leave their feet, with Sophie getting a block that sends the disc flying ten yards down field. Both teams are showing their pure athleticism and running hard. A US huck goes out of bounds, and they are back on D. Colombia works the disc to the end zone and puts up a hammer for a score. 10-12.
The players look tired but the US is able to get a stall on the mark. But after a series of turnovers, Colombia once again shows their gritty play through sick grabs on the trailing edge to save what looked to be an overthrow. 10-13.
The cap goes on, and it’s now a game to 15. Amber Sinicrope looks to Lane Siedor for a big huck, but it’s incomplete. Alisha Kramer gets a block for the US and Paula Seville hits Lane Siedor for the score, 11-13.
In the next point, Sophie Darch comes out with a big block on defense, only to have a throw away, and then earn it back with another block. Erica Baken looks to hit a streaking Sara Scott but the throw gets D’d. Colombia work it down the field through the Americans junk D which is forcing difficult catches. Colombia has an uncharacteristic drop but the US struggles to connect between the handlers and cutters and a turn near the end zone results in a Colombia score 11-14.
With Colombia at game point, the US gets stuck in a high stall count that results in a turnover, and Colombia hits the dump and swing for a final score of 11-15. at the cap.
The US Jr. open and women’s teams had the remainder of the afternoon to reflect on their morning, eat some lunch and watch the Middle School All-Star come in the Spirit Enclosure. The weather, though a little windy, was warm and comfortable. After dinner in the dining hall, the teams met to discuss the plans for the following day and refocus before heading to bed to get some much needed sleep. The players have already been on the road for a week, and they still have plenty more competition to come.
By: Meredith Tosta
After three grueling days of training camp, the 44 US Junior National team players finally earned a morning to sleep in. The border crossing into Canada was successful and without incident the evening before, gorged ourselves on the treat of Vancouver – all you can eat sushi – and settled into the Shuswap dorms on the UBC Campus. Saturday morning would both build anticipation and mark the end of training camp. Now it’s time to focus and get down to business.
Eight players, five boys and three girls, are returning from the 2006 squads that won the gold in Boston, but none had experienced an opening ceremony quite like this one. After a hot breakfast in the cafeteria, and learning a new game from the Colombian teams while waiting in line for player check in, we spent the morning seeking out a supermarket to get lunch food and snacks for the week. The players were all in good spirits, even after a misunderstanding sent them on a walking tour of campus that ended in returning to the vans to drive to yet another store. Having rushed back and thrown groceries aside, the players dressed in their new Five Ultimate gear and hustled over to the staging area outside Thunderbird Stadium to meet the four other US Ultimate teams. The Junior women and women immediately hit it off with introductions, while the Junior open and open teams grabbed discs to throw around. There was plenty of time to relax as the countries were ushered into the stadium in alphabetical order while an announcer poked fun with the introductions.
When the US entered the stadium almost all of the other countries had already proceeded and been seated in what were now packed stands. Only Venezuela and host nation Canada followed the US Guts and Ultimate players to their seats. The players from all six teams were mixed together and Team USA became just that, a single unit excited and ready to represent their country.
Following the ceremony was an exhibition game between the Canadian and Great Britain mixed teams. Full of big plays, and in front of a packed stadium, the game was quite entertaining. Rivaling the game itself, were the rowdy vocals of the Venezuelan teams, who managed to convince spectator after spectator to join the dancing in the stands. The atmosphere was jovial and players of all ages were watching and enjoying the warm temperatures and beautiful setting.
Realizing that Saturday afternoon was quickly rolling by, head coaches Eileen Murray and Berend Van Heuvelen took the players off for some individual team time to refocus before Sunday morning. A little chalk talk and some much needed jogging and stretching later, and the teams were off to a low key dinner before one last pre-tournament team meeting.
The tournament will start bright and early for the Junior girls, who open against Great Britain at 8:30am. The Junior boys’ then follow suit against Great Britain at 10:30am. After a round off, the girls will play again at 12:30pm, this time against Colombia.
They’ve had just four days to meet, get to know one another and gel as a team. There is ample time over the course of the week to continue improving, and the feel from the two teams is overwhelmingly an eagerness to take on this challenge.
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