Elite Eight – The Summer Experience

As the defending champion, Monster was relatively unready to defend their title at this year’s Summer Experience. Featuring an “elite” division of eight teams, there was a lot of dissent about whether we should play. Only one team in the division came from outside of Toronto lowered the luster at the top. Additionally, playing the tournament set up a grueling three tournaments in a row. People had “lives outside of Ultimate”, and a few people backed out from playing. Still, we had enough pride remaining to put a team in for the weekend and we tried to get ready for games.

Tundra

Following the bad blood caused from my post on the scrimmage, I received several “anonymous” death threats. I’m not saying I suspected they were from Tundra, but I wouldn’t put it passed them. Knowing we were playing them, Graeme and I attempted to take out two of their players the night before by getting them drunk (and hopefully hungover for our game). Unfortunately, they proved smarter than we were and two Monsters regretted their alcohol intake compared to a single member of their team.

Tundra took an early lead by capitalizing on our sloppy play. We were down by two for most of the game until we came back to tie the game. There was a big dispute at half-time as to who should receive the pull, but Jackson came up with irrefutable evidence that Monster received at the start of the game: If Tundra received to start, there was no way he was sitting for that point. Touché, Brent, touché.

The game continued with us tying the score. By the time the horn sounded, we were up 10-9. With a game to 12, we finished the game with a two point run and a deep exhale.

Final Score: 12-9

Lotus

Due to the cancellation of the Women’s division, Lotus decided that it would use the weekend to practice against Mixed teams. We repeated to ourselves that this team had several National champions and would easily win if we didn’t take them seriously.

Lotus played an efficient and textbook offensive set, using precision short passes to long hucks to their players. Mostly, they isolated players covered by Monster women, but Dave showed that they shouldn’t be gender biased by misreading a disc sent to Monica Kay that she took away from him.

With the exception of Christian (who avenged Dave by scoring on Monica Kay), we never struck deep with our taller guys. Alison also scored deep and showed us the speed and intensity that always inspired us. Thanks to a lone break we got against them, we managed a win.

Final Score: 10-9

Tony & Carmel

Named after their captain’s parents, the team consisted of several very strong Goat players and very solid women. Their height and athleticism was intimidating enough on paper that they didn’t have to use much of it to beat us. We turned it over frequently near our endzone, and they immediately capitalized. Cass, an unexpected threat, scored several points against us. The game snowballed fast, and we played one of our worst games of the year.

Final Score: 5-13

Big Hammers – Exhibition Game

For some reason, the organizers decided it would be a good idea to crossover games between the pools that had no influence on the actual seedings the next day. While several of us bemoaned the “meaninglessness” of the games, Peyton mentioned that as the second seed in our pool, we’d be facing another good team in the Hammers and should use the opportunity to grow. We agreed to a shortened game to 9, and off we went.

The game was fairly tight, but Monster took an early, if small, lead that it nursed the rest of the game. Before a groin pull took me out, I managed to score on a deep strike from Sasha after their deep poached off me. A minute before that strike, Giles from the Hammers yelled out, “Don’t poach on him! He’s faster than he looks!” Thanks, Giles. No really.

Final Score: 9-8

Happy Birthday, Jane Logan

Most of Monster came out to wish Jane a happy birthday at The Pilot, the city’s largest rooftop patio. It was a good crowd and most of the Monster women (plus Paul) were giggling and happy after seeing Sex and the City: The Movie. Sonia consumed a lot of cosmopolitans and we made sure that Jane had the alcohol-glazed smile by the end of the night. Most of us managed to be responsible and get home at a good time for the next day’s games.

Daniela finding Dave Upfield (Photo by Jim Hui)

Zen Asylum – Quarterfinals

The Ultimate Experience’s second team, they showed a lot of enthusiasm and improvement over previous years. New captains Shawn and Chris did a great job of getting their team ready for this year. Monster came slightly flat against Zen, with several turnovers during the first few points. The biggest mistakes were cutting off teammates and stranding handlers. Luckily, the experience of playing together helped Monster overcome these missteps.

Final Score: 15-2

Liquid – Semifinals

After the 9-6 win at TUF, we figured we’d do well against Liquid’s fuller roster. They lost Justin, one of their primary handlers, the day before on a layout D. (I am not sure I believe it was from a layout D considering who it was, but I’ll accept it for now.) The Liquid team looked bigger and more ready to go, but I figured our power lines would lead to a strong start.

After Liquid went up 4-1, we called a timeout to refocus ourselves. With the most intensity I had ever seen from them, they used their size and physicality to stop our team, and their zone was hard to breach. They forced us into turnovers and we needed to go back to the fast flowing Monster game. Liquid went up 5-1 on a Callaghan from Blue, which he spiked. Peyton ran up and knocked the disc out of the air and galvanized our team. Nate started playing a closer and more active mark, and the comeback began. Steve, unwilling to lose to his former team, became more of an upfield handler and cut apart the defense by not allowing them to set. Matt, Liquid’s captain, started playing again after sitting the first quarter of the game due to an injury. Steve’s layout, toe-dragging catch upwind let us take the half with a small lead (but lots of momentum).

The second half was shortened by time, but Liquid was disheartened after coming out so strong and letting their lead fade. They tasted an opportunity to beat us for the first time on a Sunday, but thankfully the trend continued and Monster won the game.

Final Score: 10-8

Big Hammers – Finals

Big Hammers, featuring Mike List, easily took out Tony & Carmel in their Semifinals and were ready to play against Monster. With Steam Whistle Brewery (my favorite beer) among the sponsors, the alcoholics on Monster eagerly awaited the chance to play. As the Semis ended however, lightning appeared quickly on the horizon. After a quick conference with the Tournament Director, we decided to wait 45 minutes before starting the Finals.

The Big Hammers packed up their gear and waited in their cars while Monster sat beneath our canopy waiting for the storm to pass by. At first it was a light shower. Then it got heavier. Then it hit monsoon like conditions. Raj, one of his teammates and I decided to book it for his car. That’s when it started to hail. A lot. We ran to his car and moved to a higher parking lot. There was about two inches of standing water in that lot, and Raj and I decided to get out of there. Most of the (very dry) Hammers were driving out of the park at that point, leading me to believe that although the outcome of the game was unknown, they definitely won the IQ contest against Monster.

The game was declared a tie, and Monster finished as champion (albeit a shared one) for the second year in a row.

Conclusion

Even though we tied for first at the tournament, we still showed that we had a lot to work on as a team. We were only motivated for the Big Hammers and Liquid games, something that’s been a problem in the past. Regardless of our opponent, we should be the ones dictating our play. Monsters have to stay hungry if we want to be the best we can be.