This weekend was awesome and felt it was the best North Park University has ever played. Formed back in 2003 by myself and another senior we have always contended with other small D3 schools with less than 2000 students and never made it out of our own section. This year is different. With more than 10 seniors and 2 grad students, we have a solid starting line and a host of fresh young legs. Though we obviously began planning for a run at Sectionals since last fall, it all didn't come together until this weekend.
For me personally, it was the convincing win over Indiana, the second in our pool, on Saturday afternoon that got me believing that we could actually take on the Golith of Illinois. Indiana was talented to be sure, and proved themselves worthy of Regionals by bouncing back after a nasty universe point loss this morning, but we wanted more. But first, we had to get through a tough semi-final against a team we had never beaten in the 5 years of our existence.
Sunday morning put us up against Notre Dame. They were the favorite to be sure, and arguably a very, very talented and strong team. They came out with efficient offense, but a small mistake on the first point led to a NP break. It was all we needed to get the momentum rolling. We would take the first half 8-5 (or 8-4, can't remember) and not look back. We would trade points in the second half, but despite a late break by the fighting Irish, we would topple a great team 15-11. I was honestly in disbelief as we were finally playing ultimate the way we knew how. Though ND for sure made some mistakes they shouldn't have and got down on themselves mentally especially in the second half, I know that our defense frustrated and had much to do with the turns and our offense simply executed with perfection.
It wouldn't be until 1pm when we'd play in the finals. So we watched our ladies do battle and then began warming up on the championship field. Were we really here? I looked over at the Illinois team warming up and thought, how could we compete against these guys. They have dominated this season thus far with wins over teams like Oregon and a universe point loss to Florida. They are ranked in the top 10, be it RRI, but still arguably a national caliber team. It was David vs Golith, and I was pumped. North Park was fired up and we came out hard.
I don't remember much of the first half other than a lot of fast cuts and movement that led to three huge breaks in our favor. I blinked and the next moment we took half 8-6. Were we really this good? Yes we were. The second half was much like Notre Dame where we traded until getting another break and going up 13-9. Illinois would score and get two huge breaks back and put the game within one 13-12. We would score next and realize that winning was within grasp. All we needed was a break. Illinois would deny though and bring it back to 14-13. Another O point and all we had to do was march it down the field with the wind at our backs... But, no Illinois was too deep and had been here too many times before. They were calmer and their nerves much more attuned to the rigors of such a close game. They would break and bring the game to 14-14. We would score next, but Illinois would answer right back with half the effort. It was so much harder to score now and Illinois was seeming to do it with ease. Their huge lupa cuts were eating our guys legs up and having a much smaller line of starters was wearing us thin. Now going up wind, we would struggle on O and another crazy huck from me would be denied by Illinois and seconds later they would have another break and be up 16-15. We would calm ourselves just enough to fight the disc back up the field and force a double game point at 16-16. Illinois would work the disc off the pull to half field on two or three short gains underneath. We were not putting enough pressure on the handlers to force the errant throw as we were in the beginning. Illinois was crisp and fresh and looked as though they had the game in the bag. Another lupa cut would be made and I would take away the inside, but a small slip would give the space needed to go deep. Illinois would send it to the endzone, but floaty enough for me to still have a chance. Every ounce of energy I put into my steps and extended as far as possible on my vertical bid. I got disc and hoped it was enough. The disc wobbled toward the back of the endzone's grass, and mere centimeters from the ground it would be caught... Illinois 17-16.
Best ultimate game of my life thus far.
And then, my worst would follow up at 3pm against Notre Dame... 1-15. Dejected and trying to find breath from our amazing Championship game, we simply didn't have the depth to put it up against Notre Dame again. They would take it to us strong and hard and let up at no point. At 8-0, and three of our starters out with injuries or too exhuasted to play, we elected to give our younger players an opportunity to bring back some sense of self-respect to our team and put at least one on the score board. Our seed at regionals no longer mattered to us, as we were simply happy to go. We had a few starters help, including myself, but shaking off the previous universe point loss was too difficult to surmount. We would lose badly, and Notre Dame deserves the two seed despite our taking it to them earlier in the day. I must admit I do hate the format and feel it crazy to have had 8 games in a weekend.
Thanks to the TDs for running the show on the weekend they weren't even planning on. Congrats to Illinois, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Chicago, and Indiana on their bids to Regionals. Next weekend should be a fun one in Detroit. I hope we represent our section well.
-luke johnson #21 - (white ego hat and white leggings)
BHD wrote: > awww, good for u Adam Wiseman wrote: > dear diary
I had the same first reactions...but, Adam and BHD, you at least have to agree, that was one of the best Ultimate reads you've seen in a good long while. You were just like me...clicking furiously through to see what happened. I'll admit it, I was convinced the it was either a "North Park uber alles" or a "but we were stopped by the evil cheaters in our glorious quest" kind of story. Then it had a real and kinda poignant ending.
Don't be a hater. If you had to wait for someone objective to write up every story, then you would be waiting instead of reading.
Wiggins, There have been only a few times in ultimate where I have felt the respect from the dominate team was as good as I saw from Illinois, and that was against your Sockeye boys in the first round at Nationals this last fall against the underdog Rhino. You kicked our ass, but you respected the hell out of our team in doing it (taking out the small altercation between your brother and Richards). I saw the same thing from Illinois and even more so from Notre Dame both times we played them (especially the second time where they absolutely killed us).
As a former CP sectionals player (Chicago) I loved this writeup. It's great when players take the time to write stuff like this, and especially when it's refreshingly free of arrogance, or accusations, but instead clearly full of love for his own team, and respect for others...
Congrats to North Park, I remember when you guys had just started your program, not all that long ago. And congrats to Illinois, Notre Dame, Northwestern (grrr), Chicago, and IU. Represent at regionals...
Jayadev (UChicago JUNK 2001-2005)
On Apr 21, 1:27 pm, luketimjohn...@gmail.com wrote:
> Wiggins, > There have been only a few times in ultimate where I have felt the > respect from the dominate team was as good as I saw from Illinois, and > that was against your Sockeye boys in the first round at Nationals > this last fall against the underdog Rhino. You kicked our ass, but > you respected the hell out of our team in doing it (taking out the > small altercation between your brother and Richards). I saw the same > thing from Illinois and even more so from Notre Dame both times we > played them (especially the second time where they absolutely killed > us).
I'm really happy to hear the North Park program has developed this much. I saw them play fall '06 and it was clear that they were a young and inexperienced group. They played respectfully, but they just weren't very good. Now, about a year and a half later, they're in the finals of Sectionals. Congrats and kick ass at Regionals.
I saw North Park in their game against Indiana this weekend. I had never seen them play before and was very impressed. I was not surprised when they beat Notre Dame and almost pulled the upset in the finals. Good luck at Regionals to all teams that made it.
On Apr 21, 10:06 pm, Gravy <bhssrun...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I saw North Park in their game against Indiana this weekend. I had > never seen them play before and was very impressed. I was not > surprised when they beat Notre Dame and almost pulled the upset in the > finals. Good luck at Regionals to all teams that made it.
> Gravy
thanks for the props. i know our boys are looking forward to their first ride to regionals.
The video from the final is fairly well taped, but as expected there are some things missed and the sidelines get in the way a few times... Regardless, here is the full game that runs just under 43minutes. Sorry that this isn't set to stream, but once downloaded you should be able to use quicktime or itunes to play the video.
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