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Arctic Vogue - Feb 14-15, 2009 in Cincinatti, OH High Tide - Spring Break, Jekyll Island, GA Chicago Invite - Mar 21-22, 2009 in Chicago, IL Huck Finn - April 4-5, 2009 in St. Louis, MO Lake Superior Sectionals - April 18-19, 2009 in Whitewater, WI Central Open Regionals - April 25-26, 2009 in Northfield, MN |
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Officers:
Links Section
Captains:
Thomas Barsella
Luke Dwyer
Catherine Relation
Laura Nelson
President:
Christopher Lindsey
Vice President:
Laura Nelson
Treasurer:
James Brennan
Secretary:
Emma Cotter
UPA HOMEPAGE MARQUETTE WOMENS ULTIMATE BIRDHOUSE IN UPA MILWAUKEE CLUB ULTIMATE MARQUETTE YAHOO GROUP MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
Fall 2008
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Hucktoberfest
September 27-28, 2008
Whitewater, WI
Recap by Tom Barsella:
Bonjourno,
Okay here is my attempt at summing up the weekend for Marquette X:
Day 1: We came out with butterflies fluttering around in our stomachs in our first game against one of North Park's split squad. First game of our first tournament started out a little slow for us with North Park jumping out to a 5-1 lead with hucks to Lars the giant. But after that slow start we recognized that they had some trouble with their backhands so we forced them that way and the tides began to change. We came out in the second half way more confident after putting together a couple runs. We pulled to within two but could not surmount North Park's lead and ended up with a 15-13 loss. I was real proud of the way we fought back. Our intensity from the second half lead us to our second game against Eau Claire.
We played like a team for the better part of the game against a split Eau Claire squad. Using the energy from the previous game we jumped on them early and got some help with a layout by Bobby Shields in the endzone and some lasers thrown into some tight spots by Ben Compton. We got complacent with our lead and took a little longer than it should have to finish Ozone off but we eventually did 15-6.
On to Whitewater. This game was perhaps the best game of the tournament for X. I was extremely impressed with the performance of our freshman against a real solid Whitewater team that had experience and athleticism that trumped ours. We realized about halfway through the first half that we could compete and play with a Whitewater team that was at full strength. I give tremendous credit to all the freshman for coming out and not being intimidated by what I thought was a very intimidating Whitewater team. We fought the entire way and wound up losing by 3, 14-11, but we gained some valuable experience and were very pleased with our performance.
Next up was a split UWM team that looked tired and worn but so were we. We made some silly mistakes and errors and let them hang around for a while but eventually we got it together and found our rhythm which UWM could not handle. We ended up winning 13-6 to go a successful 2-2 on the day.
Day 2: Not much good came out of Sunday. We played real sloppy against a Luther team that took advantage and smoked us in the second half. We came out on Sunday real lackadaisical and flat and never got over it. We ended up not scoring a single point in the second half of the Luther game to lose 13-6.
Then we had a rematch of North Park X which was hard to watch, let alone play in. No one but Joe could muster up any energy and drops galore started like a waterfall. We scored only 1 point on a set play and lost 13-1. There is not much more to say other than we played awful as a team on Sunday. Hopefully we can right that for our next tournament.
Overall I was really impressed with the way we all played together. The freshman had plenty of questions to ask which was the most important part of the weekend. Learning was the goal of the tournament and I think we learned a lot about the game but most importantly about each other and that is what matters most. Knowing your teammates is what makes a team run smoothly and play well. We had a great group of guys who I think got to know each other real well, which bodes well for Birdhouse in the future. GREAT weekend and I can't wait till we get to do it again in 2 weeks.
One more thing: Thanks to Pat for coming out and helping educate us on how the game is played. Along with Andrew, he was a great resource for younger players to use to learn about the game and their play.
See you all at practice on Thursday.
TOMBA
Recap 2 by Henry Arends:
Oops, have I been shirking captain duties again? What follows is a diarrhetic compilation of the few moments I can still remember from Hucktoberfest '08 for Marquette Y.
Saturday
We left early. Really early. We had a buy the first round but felt supporting our Marquette comrades was far more important than sleeping in.
Game 1: North Park Y
These guys were total chumps. We came out a little sticky against them, but our superior focus and determination won the day. Plus, it got hard capped when we were up two. Bonus!
Game 2: Eau Claire X
I don't remember this game at all. I'm told we lost.
Game 3: Wisconsin Hops
It was really hot out. Hops, a club team with as much grey hair as experience, really showed us what an intelligent, focused, well disciplined senior center can put together. Zahner wanted to switch teams.
Game 4: Chumpionship Bracket
We ended pool play with a three way tie, E.C. and N.P. also going 1-2 and Hops winning out. With point differentials factored out we headed off to face another 4th seed. I don't remember who, but that's because history forgets the losers. Our boys really pulled together and played hard, I ended the first day with proud tears in my eyes and muscle cramps the likes of which only H & H can take care of.
Sunday
We played early again, but found ourselves going to Whitewater without any support from all those people we sacrificed sleep for the previous day. Really speaks volumes, doesn't it?
Game 1: Luther X
We came out of the blocks a little slow on Sunday, too. Probably because we lacked moral backing. But again we proved to be the little team that could and ended up winning on Universe.
Game 2: UWM Y
Ugh, UWM. This one was tough. Having expended so much energy in the first game we were unable to hang with these guys. Which is somewhat fitting, because nobody wants to hang with the UWM ultimate team.
Closing remarks:
1) We have a fantastic pool of new talent this year. While particular aspects of the tournament may have been hazed by time, a clear feeling of intensity and fun remains. These guys are eager to learn, quick to pick up new skills, and graciously understanding of my shortcomings. I wish I could squeeze them all into one clever, compassionate woman.
2) We all need to lay off the O.P. burritos and hit the treadmill. Our lethargy took its toll last weekend, and while we're all still working on improving our skills and understanding of the game, endurance and operable
arteries would make the process significantly easier. 3) I need to write these sooner. And probably get them peer-reviewed.
Henry Arends
No Wisconsequences
October 18-19, 2008
Delafield, Disconsin
Recap by Henry Arends:
What follows is a Birdhouse recap of No Wisconsequences for those who missed it and for those who wish to relive it time and time again.
Saturday morning: Wow. You'd think a tournament in our own backyard would provide us with a little extra sleep time. Alas, with an 8:30 start 24 sleepy boys slid out of bed while the sun was still crossing the Atlantic. We had a date with Iowa X and we wanted to be warmed up and ready to go in our freshly pressed lemongrass jerseys. It turns out it isn't just the corn that grows tall in the Hawkeye state, and Iowa used its superior altitude to serve us a 10-13 loss. Though we wanted a different outcome, Birdhouse played hard and stayed in the game with very few lapses. Next up in pool play was second seeded Washington University of St. Louis Y. Some of the same guys that beat us at Frostbite last year. Only this time we had the home court advantage, along with energy, focus, and superior skills to boot. We gave them a glimmer of hope in the beginning, then really pulled it together and slapped them with a 13-6 final score. Having broken one team's spirit, we hungered for more. And we were given the perfect opportunity with a split UWM team to round off pool play. We let ourselves sink to their level for a little while but kept it from getting too close and ended up winning 13-9. Time for a crossover game: University of Northern Iowa, a burnt out team with nine players. Here our depth really helped us, and we were able to hand them a 13-8 loss and close our day 3-1. I was truly impressed with our squad on Saturday. They showed the kind of heart that pumps, like, 10,000 gallons a day.* We all headed back to Milwaukee knowing we needed to bring that same intensity on Sunday.
Sunday morning: Another early start, this time against Michigan, who ended Saturday with a loss on Universe to Duluth. We started the game with an upwind break and poured on the intensity like a tasty gravy. Though they won the game, 8-13, we played some damn good ultimate, and moved into the next game with our heads held high. We faced Dayton, and a combination of mental mistakes and tough zone led us to a 10-13 loss. We had a third game slated with Loyola, but they took one look at us and ran for the hills with their tails between their legs. So we finished the tournament with three wins and three losses, good for a 21st place finish well above our seeding.
But I could care less what place we got. I saw things this weekend I cannot put into words. I saw raw energy on the sideline. I saw tired, weary men swallow their pain and leave nothing behind. I saw layout Ds. I saw freshmen playing like veterans. I saw a group of college students become a single entity. I saw Birdhouse at its finest. And it isn't just what I saw this weekend, but it's what I see ahead. I see simple mistakes being fixed. I see players with limitless potential. I see a team that can go as far as it wants.
I repeat: As far as it wants.
Thank you to everyone who made this weekend what it was.
Henry Arends
* The average heart only pumps a measly 1,584 gallons a day.
