finals - point by point

All NW all the time. The Flycoons, out of Montana (mostly), have been in the mix for the last few years, but this is the first year that has seen them last into Saturday. And not only last – but dominate. Other than an early loss to AMP, the Flycoons have been consistently and systematically destroying their opponents. Seattle’s Shazam has too. This is Shazam’s third final this decade – they’ve won the two that they’ve been in previously. Get this one and it’s a dynasty that, though interrupted, matches any in Mixed’s short history.

Coming into the game, Mark Aagenes says, “If we play anything like we have over the last few days, we don’t have anything to worry about.” More specifically, he says, “The strength of our team is that we have an amazing ability to adapt, day to day, game to game, and half to half.” With Scott Conway, Michael Faris, Tim Murray, Andy Neill, Mary Bure and Marky Mark himself, the Flycoons have a lot of captaining experience. That brain trust can identify problems quickly – and has answers to all sorts of problems.

For Shazam, Eric Mattson goes over the same strategy that they’ve had all weekend: stay close on D, use straight up marks to take away hucks and move the disc quickly and play the position game. Shazam talk about the Flycoons strengths – they’ve already seen them – so they know what to expect. Jon Ladd rejoins the huddle having won both flips (colors and side).

The following is a synopsis of the games, point by point:

Starting the game out:

James Kennedy pulling. Fly starts out in a standard zone. Mattson gets a nice throw through the cup to Loeffler. Fly has transitioned – and never gets their D close enough to stop. Jon Lad hits Arnie Larson with some quick disc movement for the first goal. 1-0.

Shazam comes out showing person. Conway, Marky Mark, Daphne Evans handling. They go up the line nicely, and there’s a huck that’s just too far in front of Sisco. Shazam picks up – Fly straight up mark to start. Shazam works it up a bit before turfing it. On O - Flycoon moves it amongst its handlers - - Shazam makes a bid or two pushing Fly to the forehand sideline (downwind). Nevin saves a floater. Shazam’s Shannon O’Neill goes to a disc intended for Sisco – Nevin’s throw was short – foul called – goes back.

Then Andy Neill gets a nice inside out flick to Sisco. 1-1.

20, 33, 9, 03, 7, 14, 31 start out on D for Fly. Emily Grad, Arnie Larson, Nora Carr, John Ladd, Charlie Ellis, Gallagher and Anni Plank are in on offense.

Grad hits Ellis to Grad to Ladd to Grad to Gallagher to Plank to Ellis – Shazam is playing small ball against the Flycoon person D – Shazam in a flat stack – close to the disc. The wind has been moderate throughout. Larson to Ellis, but Shazam’s EZ offense doesn’t look very clean - this may work to Shazam’s advantage as it contributes to defender confusion. Shazam 2-1.

Aagenes finds Andy Short just short of the end zone with a huck (using three flat handlers) – with not very much there – Short finally jabs it to Conway flashing by for the tie. 2-2.

Loeffler under and Shazam is using Grad a bunch – to Mattson – Loeffler tries to hit Kraus, then Meygesi goes up to get the D – very high – on the two very tall women matchup. Going the other way, all person – Murray hucks too far with the wind pushing it over. The wind has picked up maybe 10-15. Shazam’s hucks don’t look very good at all. The disc rolls to the EZ. Shaazam is showing the 1-3-3, with three women in the cup. Tim Murray handling with Jen Nichols – there’s some give and goes between Murray and others – but then there’s turn. Then Loeffler hits Pam Kraus long – and she gets it to Larson for 3-2. Fly does decent work against the zone – but turned eventually. Shazam looked quickly for the transition.

Shazam pulls. Aagenes to Conway who hangs it cross the field – Ellis and Kennedy go up together – someone strips from someone maybe but it goes back two throws on the Aagenes throw. Aagenees hangs it this time – to the Ellis – Kennedy matchup – Ellis has the position at the back of the EZ – turn. Hall Walker walks it up – RV is handling too. Thompsom goes out of bound – the throw never came in – turn twenty yards out. Aagenes to Sisco – she’s caught on the line – but gets the foul call to reset. Hall marking Conway on the dump – she puts a little short – and Walker is able to get a hand on. Feeley sends it – this time it stays in bounds – turn though. Conway takes a backhand punt – only thirty – to forty. Match Diesel says some foolish things (he should stick to open) next to me. James Kennedy gets a nice D bid. Aagenes has a nice inside out – but no catch. Shazam tries to push it up the field again – turn – close to the EZ. Neill tries a forehand up the line and Hall WAker gets a nice layout D to take it away. Feely turns on the sideline – no pressure. Obviously, a long point. Andy Neill throws it short – but turn is on the sideline – Shazam is having a tough time getting it off the downwind sideline. Huck up the sideline with no throws available – Turn way up the field. The two teams are just hucking it back and forth – in the stronger wind. Feeley went down on a D bid – he goes out with an injury – we’ll see whether that’s long term – if so – that’s hurt Shazam – he’s a big playmaker. Conway finally throws a catchable disc with Kennedy pulling it down nicely – no chance for Ellis to get to it. 3-3.

Shazam’s D gives Flycoons fits – but never really gets close.

Fly on D. Tim Murray putting it across the field turns after Shazam doesn’t value. Pam Kraus puts a big flick huck up the line – Loeffler almost gets it. Shazam shows zone – Mattson marking – three women on the 1-3-3. Very close to the disc – but Fly is moving the disc quickly – probably a dozen throws through the middle before a turn going into the grass trying to go through the cup. Ladd hits Kaufman with a break – she has no options – punting just over Loeffler. Fly drops. Loeffler picks up- Pam hits Plank - but there a D got on – Tim Murray punts right away with a high floater – Shazam got the D. Shazam works it up – but Plank throws out of bounds – not a great point for her. Fly seems to be ok staying on the downwind side – finally taking it across to Jen Nichols. But Fly is willing to take it back to the DW – Myrray is doing a really good job of distributing it. The Shazam zone is lagging a little – waiting for the DW side – playing flat to stop the upwind. A bunch of short give and goes and it’s over. Swing from Loeffler to Carr- and Fly moves it quickly up the field – Shazam on person – Murray takes the time out on the EZ line.

Murray to Nichols – on the EZ – she doesn’t have great options – no receiver and Jane Kaufman gets the D. Loeffler puts it – Neill gets the D. There’s a Sutton – Neill back and forth until Kaufman comes in and gets a D to stop it. Shazam is playing person now – even from the downfield turn. Fly looks good here – Shazam seems to be off a little. But then Nichols – with an available throw – just jacks it out of bounds. Ladd tries to hit Carr – too far on the DW side. Neill gets a great backhand to take it all the way across the field – to othe upwind – travel on the throw brings it back. Skylah – with not much throws up the line – Sutton goes out of bounds to grab the upwind backhand in the EZ – and gets the GREATEST with Nichols grabbing it on the layout for the upwind break. How much more exciting could it be. 3-4 – Flycoons up – now Shazam has to get the upwind to stay in it.

Fly shows a zone too –looks like a flat standard cup – Shazam has a great run going up the field – but Fowler drops it coming out of the EZ – a lost opportunity Shazam playing person as Flycoons come downwind. Nate tries to hit Conway going up the line – too low – hits the grass. Larson jacks it to Charlie Ellis for the upwind goal – 4-4. Shazam’s O this time looks very smooth.

Rasmusson plays the pivot with Aagenes – and Evans getting a lot of touches against the zone – Fly moves it up the field without too much trouble – the zone doesn’t work out as Megyesi hits Evans for the goal. 4-5 (Flycoons).

On Offense, Fly is playing person again – Loeffler doing a bit of handling with Larson – Larson hucks it to Kraus – a fine throw as she grabs it easily. 5-5.

Mary Burke to Kennedy to the ground in front of his intended receiver. Gusy work it together – finally hitting O’Neill just short of EZ - O’Neill floats it on the dump – Feeley almost saves it but no. Fly being forced up the line – they seem happy staying on the line. – till some big breaks. Kennedy hangs it – Zdancewic puts some body on the receiver – gets the D – Aagenes also gets infolved – the observer is called in – and it’s a long discussion. Disc comes back to the thrower... Shazam forcing it downwind – there’s some discussion about whether or not the disc was up on a great bid by Nevin Root.

Shazam hucks full field – no play possible. Fly hangs another high hanging throw – a bunch of players gather in the far EZ – Shazam comes down with the D. Foul called on the throw – contested. Zdancewic gets a D -> Then Feeley lauches it – Zdancewic tries to box out – but isn’t able to get it as it hangs. Fly works it up the field – Kennedy forces Aagenes to lay out going up the line into the EZ cone – perhaps dazed, - Aagenes throws right to Shazam’s Shannon O’Neill.

Andy Neill gets a hand block on the EZ line right away.Flycoons takes Time on the line. Sarah Megyesi streaks across on the ISO after the time – Mary Burke hits her for 5-6.

Fly zoning - they let Shazam through – it’s a standard zone- then Fly gets it back on. Fly trapping – and Causey turns on the backhand. Shazam in trouble. Conway, Evans and Murry handling. Fly looking vertical with a flat stack – no under cuts availa but doesnt ble – and Evans punts. Walker picks up - the zone has three women. – Fly transitions into man – and gets the D as they transit. Murray sends it – but too high – comes back on the fould call. Some patient swings – but Causey gets a piece of it = turn.. Fly playing person – Ladd hits Larson who hits Gallagher to Carr to save 6-6. Shazam has no problem with the person defense.

Shazam playing the zone again – Plank, RV and O’Neill in the cup with Walker marking. Sarah RV gets bodied during the zone movement. Fowler comes in. Aageness drops it? or the block, but turns right away. Shwazam is going person. Kennedy puts up a pretty throw in the forehand side – but OOB – Neill tries to greatest it (pretty but hard low backhand) – turn. Shzam has disc on line. Hall punts it. Rassmussen picks up quickly – Mary Mark a nice target on the upwind side. Thompson has a nice bid but doesn’t get to it. Shazam takes too long to transition to person close to the EZ, leaving Eric Rasmussen open. 6-7.

Person D by Fly. Larson puts it way out there – trying to hit Zdencewic – but just beyond her in the EZ. Fly looking for the break -. they throw too high in the nmiddle – but not too high for Loeffler. Larson hits Ladd for 7-7.

After a pull into the EZ – Shazam plays the four person 1-3-3 zone after getting down slowly. Fly works it through the cup. they are circling Evans – but she finally gets rid of it. Kennedy finds Megyesi as Loeffler lays out trying to save the D. Fly takes half. 8-7.

Michael Faris of the Flycoons notes at half – “Both of the teams are playing sloppy – But the wind isn’t stronger than other days.” The added defensive pressure that each team brings is probably contributing. Back to the game:

Shazam zones coming out of half – but Fly works it down quickly. Downwind – James Kennedy gets a great bid to save it – Ellis coming over a little too late. Kennedy gets an inside out to Sisco – Flycoons 9-7. A two point lead – and the way that things have been happening – (trades) this could be trouble for Shazam

On D for Flycoons - this is not a tall line-up – guy wise. Fly playing a zone – trapping the sideline – looser than Shazam’s zone. Shazam breaks it through – now Fly playing person -. Megyesi steps in to a Thompson inside out. Sutton works it up the line to Neill – across to Megyesi for 10-7.

Fly is zoning - standard zone maybe to person transition after a few throws. There’s some confusion, but Shazam doesn’t take advantage of it. Hall has backhand huck that goes too far in front of Ladd. Fly swings across hthe field – Shazam forcing straight up – and loose on D. Shazam playing person – Shazam needs to get closer – Sisco drops coming under. Ladd to Hall to Loeffler easy goal 10-8. I have convinced the announcers for ulti-village to pronounce Loeffler with a French accent.

Shazam playing person – Kennedy floats it to a bunch of peopld in the EZ – Neill the main receiver – the disc hangs for a while – but no catch. Rassmussen lays out for a D coming under – and Rassmussen hits Kennedy quickly as they get the disc close to the EZ. 11-8.

.Fly plays person. Shazam hasn’t been moving the disc as quickly as it had in earlier games – more options are being taken away by the Fly defenders – and the marks are being held better. Shazam works it over to the downwind line – then Shaam gets somebreaks – they are fairly patient. Causey tries to throw to one of two receivers – turns into the EZ. Sutton puts a beautiful huck down the field to within 10, but Skyla has no options – Shazam knows to take away the dump – turn – with Mattson on the downwind EZ and sideline. Shazam’s cuts aren’t there – but Schwinndeller finds Kraus across – Shazam turns – and Fly scores quickly. Nate McConnel to John Stillman. 12-8. Time out Shazam.

Any Neill is getting a lot of points – and Tim Murry his too. Fly comes out showing a flat zone – Shazam having no trouble – Fly’s transition to person is pretty terrible. Shazam gets back on track – but at 12-9.

Against person - Fly works it quickly – with Shazam not close enough to bid – Fly works it and Sisco gets an assist as Fowler’s mark is a variable one (I think purposefully). 13-9. Sisco can get in trouble when the dumps focus on taking away inside options. But not this time.

Shazam turns on second throw – but then Fly throws right to a defender. Mattson finds Larson on a half field backhand – across the field. 13-10. Those turns were strange – the Shazam one on a miscommunication and a poach.

Shazam on D. Schwindeller’s pull gets to the upwind EZ. Shazam puts on some pressure D – Walker gets the layout D on an inside out. at the brick. Schwindeller to Thompson with a forehand break mark after a pretty backhand fake – which drew the Fly marker over – and allowed the break. 13-11.

On O for Fly.

Shazam shows the zone again – but Fly gets it up the field quickly – Aageness on a swing throws it into the grass. Fly person – Fowler drops. Sutton tries a huck – Loeffler is there – but it comes back on a call. Shazm playing person after the turn. Rassmussen and Sutton do some nice quick handling. A backhand goes to Sisco in the EZ – but she can’t hold on to it. Rassmussen gets a BIG layout D to a short swing – and Fly scores – 14-11.

32, 14, 77, Conway, 20

Shazam has not been able to get the separation that would make their offense easier – the Flycoons D has stepped up – but Shazam has also allowed themselves to get caught during the transitions with bad decisions – things that might not have happened outside the transition. Pam puts it – too low – disc is on the EZ and sideline. Schwindeller gets way over the dump as a dump throw floats. Nice D. Walker tries a break throw that goes too far on the forehand side, turning over in the EZ. Pam Kraus sneaks way back and gets a poach D on what might have otherwise been a completion to Neill – he may have been pretty surprised – whoever she was covering was nowhere nearby. Some work up the line by Shazam. Her swing is a little behind – and Neill gets his hand on it – turn. Fly swings it across the field – no problem. Then there’s a stop in all play – a throw, and a turn. Kennedy helps out his female defender by getting a D over the intended female receiver as Jane Kaufman takes an uncharacteristic long throw. Kennedy throws a forehand – that blades horribly – must be a foul on the throw – but the foul call is turned over by the observer. On the turn via a swing – Scott Conway gets the goal for the win 15-11 – Shazam standing off the turn still.

One concern for Shazam was finding the people to step up and make the difference when the chips where down. The loss of Finn and several others left them with a solid core – but in this game – at a couple down – Shazam really needed a surge. The Flycoons added that very element – adding folks like Andy Neill and Scott Conway, both of whom played a bunch of points during the Flycoons run, and allowing the non-practicing Tim Murray this looks as well. The Flycoons made the sacrifices – both of playing time now – and by increasing their intensity throughout the season. The sacrifices worked out. A new, but still NW, Champion.