Sectionals Recap

It’s about time we started winning and last weekend was a good time to start doing it. The Illini started their run for the UPA title on a beautiful Saturday in the Utopia. No opponent scored more than 5 points that day. The Illini also set a record for their fastest game. We rolled FUNK 11-1 in 24 minutes. This beats our previous record of 13-0 in 34 minutes against Loyola in club sectionals 2007. I want to make note that FUNK’s only score came when Kurt’s brother skied Kurt on the end zone line and then threw an easy score since Kurt was so taken aback by his brother’s ability that he forgot to drop off an guard the open receiver. Looks like the intern still has a lot to learn.

The real games began on Sunday. Well, not our first game. We showed Hysteria that they were way out of their league by stomping them 15-2. When you see these kinds of scores in the quarterfinals, you begin to wonder why Cultimate’s season structure didn’t catch on. Separate divisions would prevent such massacres. Sure, I understand that everyone wants the chance to “win the big one”. But still, 15-2? That just seems unreasonable to me.

Anyone watching our semi-final match-up against North Park would have thought it was the Luke and Lars show. Seriously, I’m fairly certain that all of their scores came from that combination. The game was tight for most of the way, but the Illini knew that our unrelenting defense would eventually break them down. We got three breaks in row in the second half and won the game 15-12.

Score Reporter shows that the Illini lost their sectional title to Notre Dame 15-10. The game could have gone either way, and Notre Dame was able to close out more of the close points than we did. We’ll see what happens in Oberlin in two weekends. Bonzai!!!!

P.S. I just wanted to point out that my picks were pretty much dead-on; although, I would have never guessed that the Wizards would advance. Wow.

Also, special thanks go out to all our fans that came out an watched us. Fans are a rarity in our sport and we appreciate your efforts, especially in cold and rainy weather.

Sectionals Preview 2009

For the second year in a row, the Illini head to Naperville to kick-off the UPA series. Two years ago, they told us we would never play on the polo fields again because of new construction. They were wrong. Thanks to a recession and an unruly city planning board, the Naperville fields (which are technically in Plainfield) will be open to ultimate for the foreseeable future.

Last year, the Illini came into this tournament as the heavy favorite. This year we’re seeded second, and even I’m not sure we deserve to be that favored. All of the top teams coming into this tournament have a chance to win it or blow it, but with seven bids up for grabs, I think that all those who expect to move on will do so.

Notre Dame comes into this tournament with the best record and best strength of schedule. They were the clear top seed for this section, but they aren’t invincible. Weather dot com gave a forecast of windy, chilly, and rainy. Expect a cup from Papal Rage if this be the case.

North Park gave us a good scare in the championship game last year, and I hear they’ve still got their height and hucking. I’ve also heard that they’re on a bit of winning streak. Their momentum and a little bit of luck could carry these guys to the final round.

Northwestern doesn’t have Teddy anymore, but that doesn’t make them any less of a threat. They were playing good ultimate at Huck Finn, so I have a feeling that they will surprise a few teams. Hopefully we won’t be one of those teams.

Indiana probably thinks they should be seeded higher than they are. I don’t. These guys are a decent team, but they’re not a good team. Considering the rest of the field, these guys should hold seed and advance.

So, which teams are going to get the chance to prove themselves in Oberlin? Notre Dame , Us, North Park, Northwestern, Indiana will get bids for sure. The other two spots are difficult to predict (notice how I didn’t say the “last” two spots). I’d love to say that our B-team will be in there, but I’m just not sure. It’s too close to call for the rest of the field.

The key to our success will be having fun and making plays for each other. Winning is always more fun than losing, but then again, nothing is easy.