2001 UPA College Ultimate Championships

First round Friday morning

A couple of upsets early on made this an exciting morning to watch. The most significant was the loss by Oregon (#3) at the hands of Duke (#10). Duke had not practiced in the three weeks prior to the tournament, and Oregon had taken the redeye in on Wednesday night. Oregon looked a big sluggish out of the gate and Duke appeared a little nervous. With the slow and steady coaching of Perry Sugg, however, Duke settled into its game and pulled ahead to take an 8-4 lead at half. Duke's #25, Dave Montgomery made a great catch early in the game to bring Duke up 4-2. The early points were marked by a tremendous number of turnovers, and it looked as though the first one to pull themselves together might pull out the win. Duke's #3, Luke Voytas, also had a nice sky to put Duke up 5-3. Oregon made a strong run after the half, pulling to within 2 (13-11), but had two crucial drops when Duke was at game point, and that, as they say, was that.

Santa Barbara over Chapel Hill, 15-11.

This game looked to be well in-hand through the first half, with Santa Barbara getting its psych on, and the UNC boys having difficulty stopping the rolling Tide. UCSB's leadership gives equal voice to many players, and everyone seemed to be stepping up and contributing. Augie, coach of Chapel Hill, arrived late in the warm-ups, and his absence may have been a factor in UNC's early troubles. Chapel Hill stormed back in the second half, however, proving that they are contenders with any team. They closed the gap from 12-6 to 12-11 on several UCSB turnovers, but ultimately could run with them late in the game.

Brown over Harvard 15-13

Not expected to be a close intra-regional match-up, this game went the distance. Brown was unable to set a decisive tone in the first, leading only 8-7 at the break. Harvard threw zone quite a bit, and Brown did not always respond well. It was nip and tuck down the stretch, with Harvard's spirit and Brown's miscommunications and poor decisions keeping it close. Great plays were made by #13 for Brown, Jimmy Harris, including a spectacular over the shoulder extension goal-saving block at 13-12. In the end, Harvard fell apart on a bad dump, which was D'd by Brown's Harper, who broke the mark to Moses Rifkin for the win.

Tufts falls to Texas A and M. 15-13

Tufts fell apart early, but came back to make it a close one.

Michigan falls to Colorado, 15-12

After going up early, Michigan could not hold on to it's 8-4 halftime lead to eek out the victory. Tim Murray had a flurry of turnovers midway through the game, as CU was tying it up at 10. A couple of bad throws and choices by Michigan, and CU pulled off the come-from-behind defense of their #3 seeding.

Cornell over OSU, 15-10

Cornell played sluggish, but still walked away with a fairly easy first round win.

Second Round

Easily the best first round college pool play game I have ever witnessed. This was the first game for both teams. It appeared early on that Wilmington would be overmatched and undermanned against CUT's superior experiences and the strength of their bench. As Mike G promised, though, UNCW came out prepared to huck it with abandon. This is of course an offensive strategy that gives rise to many turnovers, and the Wilmington fans (of which there were many) were understandably concerned that their boys might not have the lungs to run all game long. As it turned out, however, they had just enough. Carleton's split-field offense (similar to what Brown runs) caused some problems for them, generating not a few pick calls. When they scored, they were generally able to do it using every player on the field, moving the disc quickly and deliberately, using every available space on the field.

Nord was a big part of the CUT offense, but one certainly had the feeling that he could have been bigger. He came down with a couple of nice high ones, but also dropped a crucial goal (called back on a foul) that would have tied the game at 14. He played well overall, with a HUGE layout block on Rhett Russ (before making the aforementioned drop).

Trey went down early in the game with a broken collarbone, but Wilmington didn't flinch. Tim Weigand played extremely well, mostly notably catching his own point block and skying a CUT player for the goal.

Rhett Russ was a huge factor. After Carleton's #9 stepped on the back line of the endzone, Daniel Quaranta immediately launched a full-field huck which Russ pulled down over Nord for the CUT score, making it 10-8 at half.

The last several points of the game were the most exciting I've seen in a while. After Nord tied the game at 14, sending it into overtime, CUT gained a little momentum and went up 15-14 on #32's huck to Jay Plasman. On the next point, Wilmington appeared to throw it away to no one cutting deep, then called it back on a foul. Eventually they found Russ, tying it again at 15. CUT, for its part, worked it smoothly upfield and scored easily.

Pulling and leading by one, CUT let up a huck goal to Wilmington's Anthony Moreno. So it was 16 all, Wilmington pulling it downwind to win (cap at 17). Finally, after several bad pulls, they landed one in, and came down in a zone. CUT dropped it on their own goalline. Iso Rhett, with Nord on him. Shut down for five seconds, then a throw. Nord lays out, getting most of it, but not enough. Russ lays out and catches the goal. Wilmington wins, 17-16.

Wisconsin over U Penn, 15-7.

Penn looked nervous, overthrowing their receivers deep.

Brown over Chapel Hill,15-12 after taking half 8-6.

Close game, hotly contested

UCSB over Harvard, 15-7.

No worries for SB here. Harvard's best defender, Shunker, went down with a head injury, but should still be playing.

Michigan over Tufts, 15-11.

From 5-4, Michigan went on a three-point run to take the half. They played tight man D on Tufts, who couldn't find a receiver downfield. Gotta wonder if Tufts is starting to check out of the tournament mentally.

Colorado over Texas A & M, 15-7.

CU appeared to have the game in hand the whole way through.

Third Round

Cornell took half 8-6, capitalizing on a few turnovers by Duke. The Buds pulled ahead 10-7 on a two upwind scores and never looked back. At 13-9, a Duke player, Geoff Morrison was badly injured in a head-on collision. (Word has it now that he is okay, suffering only a minor concussion.) Duke mustered one more point and that was that. Duke's fate will be decided in last round, based on the outcome of their game against Ohio State, and the winner of Oregon and Cornell.

Oregon defeats Ohio State, 15-11

Oregon promised to come out looking for blood after their second round bye, but their victory over Ohio State was not as convincing as they might have liked. They're still in the running, but one has to wonder if their late night travels may be catching up with them. Oregon will have to defeat Cornell if they hope to keep the Buds from winning the pool.

Harvard comes from behind to defeat Chapel Hill, 15-14

In an exciting do-or-die finish, Harvard eked out the shorthanded victory over Chapel Hill, having lost two of their top players (Shunker and Daniel Ratner) to injuries. The game featured a huge layout score early on by Harvard's Andrew Fleming. #4 on UNCH received a warning from the observer after he mixed it up with #19 on Harvard. The game was characterized by intense, extremely physical confrontations between the two teams. Having gone up convincingly 11-6 on a deflated Harvard squad, the Carolina boys could not seem to put them away. Harvard eventually pulled even with them at 12, then traded goals until they tied at 14, next point wins. An excellent defensive play was made by Harvard's Jesse Meyers, who sprinted down on the pull at 13 all and got the block. Pulling downwind, Harvard was cheered on by a very active hometown sideline. The pressure proved to be too much for Chapel Hill, who promptly dropped the first throw on their own goal line. A simple completion and the game went to the Crimson. For those keeping track at home, this victory keeps Harvard alive, while knocking UNC out of the A bracket.

Wilmington collapses against Wisconsin, 15-1

Ironically, it seems that Wilmington's close victory over CUT in the second round resulted in a complete meltdown in their next game. As often happens with the Wilmington boys, the high was followed soon after by a low. Could this be the end of the tournament for them, after a stupendous upset in their first game? It seems possible, especially with their star players having expended nearly all of their energy so early on. The Wilmington faithful will continue to hold out hope against hope. At this point, they're playing just to stay alive.

Carleton crushes U Penn 15-6

Carleton, meanwhile, demonstrated real composure and poise, rebounding very quickly from their first game loss to dispatch a U Penn team that was just beginning to get it together. Playing with more confidence than in their first game loss, the Void connected more effectively on offense, but was no match for the Carleton onslaught.

Brown falls at last minute to UCSB, 15-14

Clearly the most exciting game of this round was the first and second seed match-up in the A pool, pitting defending champs Brown against this year's #1-seeded UCSB. The Californians took the half 8-7, but couldn't put together enough of a lead to pull away. A point that was typical of the mid-game play came at 9-7, when Santa Barbara could have gone up by three. After a strange looking drop by UCSB, Brown's Josh Nugent caught a long bomb to keep Brown close, 9-8. The wind was tricky, and zone went both ways, but neither team seemed particularly troubled by the tougher throws. Standouts from Brown included Jeremy Scwartz, Moses Rifkin, Harper and Jimmy Harris. UCSB (who can ever really tell them apart even though they wear numbers?) was led on offense by #16, with nice plays by #5 and #20. UCSB, it must be said, had some of the strangest turnovers I've seen in a while. Drops out of nowhere and missed communications seemed to hamper an otherwise crisp, highly effective offense. They look tough to the man, and their even-balanced play is likely to crush most opponents. Having won their pool, they enjoy the luxury of a round off tomorrow morning. Brown, on the other hand, looked a little battered after the game; we'll have to wait and see how well they can recover for the pre-quarters tomorrow.

Fourth Round

Oregon over Cornell, 15-12

Oregon has continued to improve over the course of the day. Playing in a time zone three hours behind this one on only one night's sleep has proven difficult, but not impossible to overcome. Both teams came out strong, tying at 3-3, before Oregon pulled ahead decisively to take the half at 8-4. I left to watch other games, expecting to see the gap widen, but I was wrong. With tenacious defense, Cornell fought back unbelievably to being down by only one, 11-10. Oregon took a time out, though, slowing their momentum. Josh Greenough played well for Oregon, driving the Ego offense, and I saw a good d block by Cornell's #12. At 13-10, Cornell played a split-field offense, which resulted in a floating pass and a lucky catch short of the endzone. Cornell was not lucky enough on the next throw, however, as Oregon's #10 swooped in for a nice off-man interception. Oregon went on to finish the game and should be looking for some much needed rest tonight. They finish their pool in first place. They await the winner of the Wisconsin/Harvard game. Cornell plays Texas A & M in order to meet Carleton in the next round.

Duke loses a backbreaker to Ohio State, 15-13.

This game was all about staying alive in the A bracket, with the winner dropping off the radar screen. Duke went up 6-4, led by a great grab by #3. Down 7-4, Ohio State came back to give up the half only 8-7. The game got very messy at this point, alternating beautiful d blocks with ridiculous choices and sloppy throws. A few nice plays were made by Duke's #55, who had a great point block, and OSU's #10, playing good d on Duke's dump. OSU tied then tied it at 9, with a long connection from #14 Ken Weinberg to #23, Kevin Reichert. Duke answered with a great grab by #21. From 10-10 to the end, it was nip and tuck, with tired throwers making crazy choices and exhausted cutters coming up short. Down the stretch, Duke's Dave Montgomery hit Cooperrider to put Duke within one, but with OSU going downwind the next point, there was little hope. It all ended with OSU's #20 catching the final, blading huck to send OSU on, and Duke down. Duke faces Tufts tomorrow, and OSU plays Michigan for the right to face UCSB.

Wilmington washed out by Penn, 15-12.

This was the third straight game for both teams, and Wilmington's legs were nearly gone. Mustering everything they could, the Seamen kept themselves in contention, even pulling ahead to take the lead at times. Although he had trouble down the stretch, Rhett Russ has to be given much credit for keeping his team in this game. Proving he still had legs to run, Russ got a nice layout block at 6 all, and caught the upwinder to take the half, 8-7. One point later, Russ hit Tim Whitney on a big upwind huck on the Seamen's way to an 11-9 lead. Both teams were tired at this point, and turnovers were rampant. The play was pretty ugly, but the stakes were huge, keeping many spectators on the edge of their seats. Penn went on a run, tying the score at 12, on an extremely lucky upwind mac'd throw. The very next point, the Void's defense forced an errant dump, and wouldn't you know85 a Callahan goal. Russ turfed it the next point, and Penn got another upwinder. With the Seamen going upwind to save the game, a Wilmington throwaway led to a reversed foul call by an observer and a quick Penn score. Game over. Wilmington plays its cross-state rival Chapel Hill in consolation play, while Penn matches up against Ivy-League rival Brown to earn the right to face Colorado.

CUT slices through Madison, 15-8.

This game featured some great grabs by Alex Nord, who seems fully in command of his game. After a somewhat slow start this morning against Wilmington, Nord is in full effect. Madison had a few answers from Opie, #7 and #25, but CUT's #35, #00 and #9 were too much for them. Ironically, the first-game loss to Wilmington seemed to have lit CUT's fire, while Wilmington's victory left them spent and out of contention. CUT rests up for the winner of A & M/Cornell, and Madison prepares for Harvard, the winning of which will play Oregon.

Colorado over Tufts, 15-5.

Nothing doing here. Tufts has left the building. Colorado awaits the winner of Brown/U Penn. Tufts faces Duke.

Michigan over A & M, 15-5.

A & M checked out of this one early. Michigan cruised to victory, although they will advanced without one of their big men, 6'694 Dave Scott, who left the game with a dislocated shoulder. At 1-2 for the day, Texas A & M is still in it, facing Cornell for the right to play Carleton.

Final thoughts:

I have to be impressed with Santa Barbara, who appear strong and well coordinated. This team always plays as a unit, and this tournament they look ready to win it all. Colorado had a tough start against Michigan, who probably could have/should have won that first one. They seem to have settled down somewhat, and look good going into Saturday. Oregon still seems shaky. I wasn't overly impressed watching them against Cornell, although I can't count them out once they've had a good night's rest. Finally, Carleton has to be a top contender. They're all healthy, with all their best players playing their roles as expected.

Other contenders:

Of the teams that did not win their pools, Brown is the only one that I would say is still in contention to win it all. If they can rest up this evening and nurse their wounds, they may yet make it back into the running. They have the experience and the coaching, and with their younger players stepping up the way they did today, they should be an exciting team to watch.