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Disc League

C.U.D.L. - Week # 9

Week 9 helped define the previously hazy lines that have separated the teams throughout the season. Even though the records are close, we now know where each team stands in the regular

season seeding.

 

Now the struggle for supremacy will continue in the playoffs.

 

Early Struggles

 

The Purple Landsharks collided with the Green Eggs and Hammers for the second time to kick off week 9. The Hammers had won their last several games with a sense of confidence and control which far exceeded that with which they started the season. Despite their line-up being heavily reliant on a few key players they had managed to achieve a level of teamwork and consistency which had won out even against more athletically superior opponents. This was in contrast to a team of Landsharks that was struggling to obtain many victories. Although their offense is a consistently dangerous weapon the Landshark’s defense is often less potent. However, I think the biggest difference between these two teams may have been the level of confidence which they each brought to the game.

The game began well for Purple as they took advantage of the Hammers missing one of their most dominant players. However after a few absent members for each team arrived, the score was neutralized and then reversed. Despite Purple coming back within a single goal, Green did maintained the lead throughout most of the game. The Green Eggs and Hammers concluded the season with a close 17-16 victory over the Purple Landsharks despite an early struggle.

 

Desperate Times

 

We have seen a lot of growth throughout the regular season but it is always hard to play with consistency. Most notably: the once undefeated Steal Teal Turtles. The Turtles have a high quality team, a mesh of athletic ability and skill, yet their last few game appearances have been less than spectacular. Whether because of an actual decline in focus or teamwork, or, as Henry Rummel has already alluded, that it is a mental barrier that they must overcome, I can not be sure. But it is clear that they are no longer seeing the same results as they were through the first six games of the season. However I believe there is still hope for the Turtles if they can find a suitable rhythm; to focus not on winning but again on how to win, not on playing well but how to play well. 

The final score of Week 9’s battle between The Steal Teal Turtles and The Wind was a tie, 12-12. Unfortunately Teal’s tie with The Wind was not a satisfactory renaissance for the struggling team, nor the desired reward for Gray’s own efforts.

The Wind is also an elite team, performing well both offensively and defensively. However, they are also experiencing a winning drought. Although they continue to persevere there have been a number of frustrating games that they have tied. And while it is always better to tie a game rather than lose, it is draining to continue to tie with consistency. Part of The Wind’s struggle can certainly be attributed to an often incomplete roster, forcing them to play short-handed. Despite having a number of talented players this is still always a struggle. However, The Wind will have a chance to prove their mettle and the potency of their vertical stack as they play the Purple Landsharks in the first round of the 2022 C.U.D.L. Playoffs!

 

Preparing for the Playoffs

 

The Golden Scoobers were faced with an interesting predicament going into Week 9. They would not only be missing their team captain but a significant portion of their team. Already the weakest team in the League this discouraged their hopes of winning their last game of the season. However, hope was not lost.

The Scoobers are an interesting team. At the beginning of the season I expected them to be a much more dominant team. However, they have struggled to contend with their more skilled opponents. I would say that the team has more than enough athleticism to make them a more dangerous team, but the problem seems to be that the average skill level of the players is not comparable to their opponents. The Scoobers have learned and grown a little every week- and no less in their final regular season game against HammerTime.

After reviving from a 9-0 first quarter deficit The Scoobers couldn’t pull out the win- losing by an uncomfortable eight goals, 19-11, against HammerTime. Still, I think that The Golden Scoobers learned a lot from their Week 9 match and will be better prepared for the playoffs because of it.

After a thrilling victory over The Steal Turtles HammerTime approached week 9 with a new sense of confidence. Not only had they found a rhythm in their previous games but they were playing their last game against a shorthanded team seeded last in the league. Yet it is foolish to allow confidence to evolve into pride, for pride comes before the fall. So they were still wary of their golden opponents. Over the season HammerTime has tried to mesh a dangerous defense with an effective offense and it may have worked. It was certainly effective in Week 9. 

Now with a record of 5-2-2 HammerTime must survive a bye through the first week of the playoffs before they meet the winner of Round #1.

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The Playoffs

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The playoffs, as has been mentioned previously, are single-elimination. Anything could happen. A loss will completely eliminate a team from the race for championship glory. Hammertime and Teal will get the week off, advancing straight to the second week. The next week will, surely, eliminate champion contenders. It will be, in essence, the end of the CUDL 2022 season for two teams. Play on, CUDL. Week ten awaits, along with the championship aspirations of every team in the league.

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I can't wait.