BY: BRITTNEY COOKE
Eastern’s 2015
Day 1
Cold and windy. Without seventeen layers, we might have been close to hypothermia. And windy. Really? Of all things for the weather to be during an ultimate tournament, it was windy. Right off the bat it was obvious that the ultimate gods were not fans of the first day of this tournament.
But we still came out strong, despite the weather, with a close game against Queen’s University’s A team. The wind was a huge factor and sometimes worked in our favour, other times did not. We had some amazing points by veteran Corrina Mageean and great cuts from veteran Francesca Sing, as well as huge help from our amazing handlers who managed to bring the disc upwind and into the end zone several times. It was our first real game as a team, and near the end we could start to see the team mesh a little more on the field.
Unfortunately it came down to a win from Queens A when the time cap was reached, with a score of 10-7. We were thankful for the experience they brought us, so we knew what to focus on for the upcoming games.
The next game we played was against Western, in the same outrageous wind. Turnovers were a constant, and it felt like most of the game was being played on the downwind side of the field- it was nearly impossible to take the disc upwind. Western’s handlers proved extremely challenging for our zone defense, but together we managed to shut it down and keep the score even. With an amazing comeback and after a very long point (shout out to the ladies playing in the cup: Emine Sasal, Brittney Cook and Jessice Gray), Carleton managed to tie up the score.
Long after the time cap whistle was blown, the game was forced into universe point. After a long, hard, fight, Western’s impressive handling skills won them the game, 8-7. We were so proud of all of our players for the hard fight, and in the end the wind just wasn’t in our favour.
This game was a turning point, however, in the way the team played. There was obvious growth with the team’s communication and focus on cutting even from the last game against Queens A- and it would only get better with the next game.
After a nice break full of orange slices and veggies (shout out to Cassie Lee’s family), bagels and bananas, naps and muffin cookies (shout out to Pascal Dunning), it was time to play again.
We faced Toronto’s B team, who put up a good fight- but not good enough against our newfound team mentality. Carleton came out with our first win of the tournament, 10-6, at the time cap.
It was windy as ever when we faced our final opponents of the day: Toronto’s A team. This game was just as memorable as it was cold, in ways that we could never have expected. Toronto’s A team had proven a difficult challenge, though we were still working hard and trying our best despite being exhausted from our other games. It was at about the halfway mark when disaster struck for Carleton- two of our best and most experienced handlers Liz Searle and Alice Wilson (also Captain) go head to head. Literally.
It was a scary moment for the whole team. Liz and Alice were running towards each other from opposite directions and in a blur they collided head to jaw. Both were on the ground immediately. Alice was able to get up and take herself off the field, though we would find out later that she was concussed. Liz was escorted off the field by teammates who then brought her to the hospital to make sure there were no immediate medical issues. Though both have concussions, it could have been a lot worse and we were lucky enough as a team to have them come out as support on Sunday, even if they couldn’t play. We’re still rooting for them to get healthy soon!
We had now lost two veteran handlers while already low in handler numbers. Fortunately, a few brave cutters were able to step in and help out- a big thanks to Mary, Jess and Ali. Though we put up a hard fight despite our spirits being dampened from the loss of our handlers, Toronto A took the win at the time cap.
It was time to go back to the hotel, rest and rejuvenate. We had a fantastic East Side Mario’s dinner (I don’t think we have ever been so thankful for warmth and food in our lives - unlimited bread is a godsend), then relaxed in the hotel’s wonderful hot tub, caught up on homework and sleep, and treated our windburns and chapped lips.
Day 2
The next morning was about strategy. We met as a team and talked about what we could work on for today that would get us the win, and more importantly develop us further as a team. We could feel the anticipation, and as soon as we walked onto the fields that day, we knew it would be better than the last.
It was a beautiful day- no wind, sunny, and warm enough that we only needed to wear one layer instead of seventeen. We played beautifully – that field in the corner was our field that day. We got back two handlers who couldn’t make it the first day (shout out to Hailey Munoz and Justine Burnett for making it out!) Three games in a row, three wins in a row. We communicated well; we worked on our cutting and had impressive patience when we caught the disk. Overall, it was an amazing day- with no more injuries! We finished the day exhausted but satisfied with how we played.
The growth we witnessed from that very first game against Queens A team to the very last game against Brock was phenomenal. We meshed as a team, saw what needed to be worked on and worked on it -- hard. We left it all out on the field that weekend, and even though there were some rough moments we came out a better team because of it. With the incredible leadership from our vets (shout out to Danny Cantal and everyone else who contributed effective feedback) and the overall spirit we brought as a team, Carleton Stealth had a great weekend in Kingston.
Bring it on nationals! We’re ready for you.
Day 1
Cold and windy. Without seventeen layers, we might have been close to hypothermia. And windy. Really? Of all things for the weather to be during an ultimate tournament, it was windy. Right off the bat it was obvious that the ultimate gods were not fans of the first day of this tournament.
But we still came out strong, despite the weather, with a close game against Queen’s University’s A team. The wind was a huge factor and sometimes worked in our favour, other times did not. We had some amazing points by veteran Corrina Mageean and great cuts from veteran Francesca Sing, as well as huge help from our amazing handlers who managed to bring the disc upwind and into the end zone several times. It was our first real game as a team, and near the end we could start to see the team mesh a little more on the field.
Unfortunately it came down to a win from Queens A when the time cap was reached, with a score of 10-7. We were thankful for the experience they brought us, so we knew what to focus on for the upcoming games.
The next game we played was against Western, in the same outrageous wind. Turnovers were a constant, and it felt like most of the game was being played on the downwind side of the field- it was nearly impossible to take the disc upwind. Western’s handlers proved extremely challenging for our zone defense, but together we managed to shut it down and keep the score even. With an amazing comeback and after a very long point (shout out to the ladies playing in the cup: Emine Sasal, Brittney Cook and Jessice Gray), Carleton managed to tie up the score.
Long after the time cap whistle was blown, the game was forced into universe point. After a long, hard, fight, Western’s impressive handling skills won them the game, 8-7. We were so proud of all of our players for the hard fight, and in the end the wind just wasn’t in our favour.
This game was a turning point, however, in the way the team played. There was obvious growth with the team’s communication and focus on cutting even from the last game against Queens A- and it would only get better with the next game.
After a nice break full of orange slices and veggies (shout out to Cassie Lee’s family), bagels and bananas, naps and muffin cookies (shout out to Pascal Dunning), it was time to play again.
We faced Toronto’s B team, who put up a good fight- but not good enough against our newfound team mentality. Carleton came out with our first win of the tournament, 10-6, at the time cap.
It was windy as ever when we faced our final opponents of the day: Toronto’s A team. This game was just as memorable as it was cold, in ways that we could never have expected. Toronto’s A team had proven a difficult challenge, though we were still working hard and trying our best despite being exhausted from our other games. It was at about the halfway mark when disaster struck for Carleton- two of our best and most experienced handlers Liz Searle and Alice Wilson (also Captain) go head to head. Literally.
It was a scary moment for the whole team. Liz and Alice were running towards each other from opposite directions and in a blur they collided head to jaw. Both were on the ground immediately. Alice was able to get up and take herself off the field, though we would find out later that she was concussed. Liz was escorted off the field by teammates who then brought her to the hospital to make sure there were no immediate medical issues. Though both have concussions, it could have been a lot worse and we were lucky enough as a team to have them come out as support on Sunday, even if they couldn’t play. We’re still rooting for them to get healthy soon!
We had now lost two veteran handlers while already low in handler numbers. Fortunately, a few brave cutters were able to step in and help out- a big thanks to Mary, Jess and Ali. Though we put up a hard fight despite our spirits being dampened from the loss of our handlers, Toronto A took the win at the time cap.
It was time to go back to the hotel, rest and rejuvenate. We had a fantastic East Side Mario’s dinner (I don’t think we have ever been so thankful for warmth and food in our lives - unlimited bread is a godsend), then relaxed in the hotel’s wonderful hot tub, caught up on homework and sleep, and treated our windburns and chapped lips.
Day 2
The next morning was about strategy. We met as a team and talked about what we could work on for today that would get us the win, and more importantly develop us further as a team. We could feel the anticipation, and as soon as we walked onto the fields that day, we knew it would be better than the last.
It was a beautiful day- no wind, sunny, and warm enough that we only needed to wear one layer instead of seventeen. We played beautifully – that field in the corner was our field that day. We got back two handlers who couldn’t make it the first day (shout out to Hailey Munoz and Justine Burnett for making it out!) Three games in a row, three wins in a row. We communicated well; we worked on our cutting and had impressive patience when we caught the disk. Overall, it was an amazing day- with no more injuries! We finished the day exhausted but satisfied with how we played.
The growth we witnessed from that very first game against Queens A team to the very last game against Brock was phenomenal. We meshed as a team, saw what needed to be worked on and worked on it -- hard. We left it all out on the field that weekend, and even though there were some rough moments we came out a better team because of it. With the incredible leadership from our vets (shout out to Danny Cantal and everyone else who contributed effective feedback) and the overall spirit we brought as a team, Carleton Stealth had a great weekend in Kingston.
Bring it on nationals! We’re ready for you.