Pool game 1: Wisconsin
We started out regionals with a very difficult and high-stress game against Bella Donna, the third seed in our pool. There was a very strong upwind-downwind, and Bella won the flip which allowed them to lead by one throughout the game. Saucy played zone the majority of the game, Emelie McKain had a few very good upwind crossfield backhands through the cup however overall Saucy's defense was shutting Wisco down including a Callahan caught early in the game by Kristen. Offensively Saucy had good flow and throws which resulted in numerous opportunites for an upwind score, but had a case of first game drops which led to an uncharacteristic number of unforced turnovers. Once hardcap went on the score was 7-7, an upwinder had yet to be scored by either team and Saucy started the point on defense going upwind. This last point was a long battle, Saucy managed to work it up to the endzone twice but wasn't able to come up with a catch. Wisconsin brought it back to their side but Katie got a pivotal D in the endzone. Back on offense, Saucy worked it up the field and Jen put an end to the team's sloppy drops with a tricky grab on a throw that seemed out of reach, from there she got it upfield a little more to KP who dished to Robyn. Despite the wind fighting against her, Robyn put up a huck to the endzone and Audrey read it well for the score. Emotions were high after this huge win and the playing in that last point set a tone for the remainder of the weekend. Saucy was not going to let up no matter what the circumstances. Every girl on the line would leave everything she had on the field every point.
Saucy over Wisconsin 8-7
Pool game 2: Nebraska
The next game was against the Nebraska Cuddle Raptors. This was Nebraska's first ever trip to regionals, they're a new team with a lot of potential. Saucy won the flip (after it rolled and flipped across half the width of the field) and started the game going downwind. Nebraska's Emily Langland stood out with her very impressive throws, this girl has some of the strongest throws in the North Central region. Jojo, a freshman rookie on Saucy, had many great cuts this game and her speed is going to make her a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
Saucy over Nebraska 13-9
Pool game 3: Carleton
Our final game of pool play was against Carleton. By this game we'd really caught onto some momentum and were connecting well on offense, allowing us to go up 7-2. Defense remained strong from the beginning of the day, one highlight in this game was a foot block by Anna Pritchard - our nomination for FOTY. Carleton began to rack up some more points toward the end with their consistent throwing, it was a good game played by both teams but we were more able to capitalize with breaks and upwind scores. One highlight was when KP and Robyn managed to walk the disc up pass by pass straight to the upwind endzone through their zone. This sort of calm and consistent playing allowed us to get another win. Saucy walked away with the W and sealed 1st place in our pool.
Saucy over Carleton 13-9
Semis game - G2G: Wisconsin
By holding on to our 1st place seed in our pool we started out on Sunday playing semis against Wisconsin (who had beat Minnesota in quarters 10-3). This was the game to go - the very first game to go Saucy Nancy has played in for many years. We knew Wisconsin was going to bring it and it would be a tough game, we were nervous but also fired up and ready to take what we'd been working for all season - a trip to Boulder. The weather was less windy than it was the previous day, although still present as more of a crosswind. Saucy started the game hot with a 4-1 leading into a time out taken by Bella. From there Bella was starting to work it a bit better, but Saucy's zone defense wasn't making it easy on them and the points were very long.
Some highlights from the game:
KJ and KP shut down defense.
Really cool grab by Michelle.
Audrey and Liza relentless playing- these two girls never let up.
Jen's upfield throws.
Kristen's defense - she got 3 layout ds in one point alone.
Robyn's hucks. So. Damn. Good.
Saucy took the line 10-8 going upwind knowing that hardcap would go on during the point and that we had won the game. But even still, the girls brought intensity to the point and were determined to end the game with a score. Robyn put up a huck to Katie or Liza - both wide open in the endzone... Liza (Skyza) caught the disc and we earned ourselves a bid to nationals.
Saucy over Wisconsin 11-7
Finals game: Carleton
Our last game of the tournament was the championship against Carleton, who had defeated ISU in semis 11-3 and secured a bid to nationals. The game started mostly trading points, but with a backhand huck by KP to Kristen saucy broke away. Two other highlights was yet another beautiful huck by KP and a classic KJ sky, we all know she's got crazy ups but somehow she always manages to one up her previous insane sky. I also have to hand it to Elise from Syzygy for her defense - she got multiple handblocks in this game. The game had numerous long points, but Saucy maintained at least a two point lead after the initial break away at 6-4. Katie scored the game winning point with yet another layout - solidifying our title as North Central Region Champions.
Saucy over Carleton 11-8
After a quick celebration of our finish, we headed over to the other fields to watch our guys earn themselves a bid to nationals as they crushed Minnesota 15-3 and then upset Carleton, the #1 team in the country, with a score of 14-6 for the second place title.
It was a beyond phenomenal weekend for Iowa ultimate. This will be the first time any girl on the current team will get to play at college nationals. Saucy earned a spot at nationals for the first time since 2005 and a first place finish at regionals for the first time in the program's history. Saucy and IHUC are making the trip to the championship competition together for the first time since 2004. What we saw this weekend was that wind can play a big factor in games, but fortunately Iowa knows how to work the wind to our advantage both offensively and defensively.
Every saucy put their all into this weekend which should result in us getting a number one seed in one of the pools going into nationals. Best of all we get 4 more weeks to practice and play with a team full of saucy love.
-Alyx
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