TCNJ Invite

SATURDAY

Game 1: TJHSUoP&NJ vs. Hofstra

Final: 8-15

We had no business losing this game, much less losing it by a 7 point margin. We came out strong to the tune of a 2-0 lead, then started to lose our edge. We had trouble dealing with their zone, which was a product of multiple things including a lack of practice at zone (which is in turn a product of a lack of windy practice days!), thinness at the handler position, and a lack of patience in execution. Beating a zone is all about patience, movement, and spacing to create that movement. We need to keep the cup constantly moving by making easy dumps and swings and take open shots when and only when they present themselves. We need to practice these things more, and with a greater variety of throwing-competent players. We picked it up a little at the end, but our performance during the middle of the game was too poor to recover from.

Notable Plays: Kev throws a ill-advised hammer to Geoff, who tip drills it for the score. We run the ror stack and decide it doesn't work as well when there are no cuts.

Game 2: TJHSUoP&NJ vs. Rutgers

Final: 5-15

This game was, in a word, disappointing. Rutgers is an athletic team, and they came out running. On defense, we didn't cover their deeps and let off way too many break throws. On offense, we didn't run through every cut 100% and weren't decisive enough with our throws or cuts. Again, the zone gave us trouble, even despite the lack of wind. In spite of our terrible start, however, I can happily say that we picked things up as the game wore on. Also, the fag with the hat who is constantly smiling is both a humongous tard and an ultra-douchebag. Ultimately, take this game as a learning experience: the way this team played is where we want to be (minus the douchebaggery). We need to run 100% every point, give our handlers break/force in/out looks, and gain the ability and confidence to make throws we can make.

Notable Plays: Matzah Ball catches our first point by catching a deep blade, ending Rutgers' hopes for a shutout. The ror stack works to perfection on a huck to LG, and again fails when no one cuts.

Game 3: TJHSUoP&NJ vs. Princeton

Final: 14-8

A pretty good performance by State. These guys were inexperienced, and we took advantage of it. We converted their gifts into scores, and played some pretty good defense. This game presented a good opportunity for our rookies and less veteran players to get some quality playing time. All of said players held up pretty well, which was encouraging to see. That said, we again displayed the troubling pattern of limping to the finish line. We need to close out games when we have a lead - a more experienced Princeton squad could have easily made us pay. As I said during the Hofstra game, there's no time for lapses during the course of a frisbee game. We're not at the level where we can take a nap during the middle of a game and come back to beat a solid team. We need to execute to our best the whole time. Even so, good job rookies!

Notable Plays: Don't really remembering anything specific from this game, but we in beating Princeton we did officially become the best state school in the Ivy League, becoming TJHSUoP&NJIL!!!!

Game 4: TJHSUoP&NJIL vs. Ramapo College

Final: 14-10

We sucked major-time in the beginning of this game (at some point down 5-0 I believe). Way to fight back and take this game. I'm really proud of the fact that we didn't let ourselves get down too hard, and took the momentum we gained with that first point and ran with it. They threw a bit of a weird zone at us, but after we ramped up the handler movement and got on track with our poppers and wings, Ramapo wasn't a match for us. I do think we may have punted too much given that the wind wasn't actually too bad. Again, we need to be able to swing across handlers in a zone in the wind. A lot of what brought us our early deficit could be chalked up to bad throws and catches. In the wind, the pancake is your friend. Overall though, a great effort by State. This is what can happen if you never let up.

Notable Plays: Tall dude on Ramapo catches pretty much all of our hucks. Great popping by Grizz and Abnirmal. Chode gets beat in pokey by the said tall dude who does lots of flips while playing!?

SUNDAY

Game 1: TJHSUoP&NJIL vs. TCNJ

Final: 12-11

As you can tell by the score, this was one close game. Again, we built a pretty strong lead (I believe about 4 points after half), and let it slip at the end. In my opinion, it's actually easier to play better at the end of a game when behind (since you have the motivation to catch up) than when leading (since it's easier to fall into complacency when ahead). We have got to lose this attitude and focus on BUILDING LEADS rather than giving them up. We need to ramp up our play at the ends of games whether or not we're ahead, because you can bet the other team will do the same. Even with that slight negative, however, this was our best game of the tournament - maybe even the year. With an 11-11 universe point and TCNJ with the disc, we forced a turn and immediately took it the other way for the win. It was sick. Way to defend our lead, get a big win over a good team, and assert our state school dominance.

Notable Plays: LG with the previously mentioned bookends ftw. Nasty.

Game 2: TJHSUoP&NJIL vs. Rutgers

Final: 10-15

So we play that stupid private school from NJ again. Although we didn't get that win, the difference in our play in this game versus the one against Rutgers on Saturday was like night and day. As Shane mentioned, every single point that Rutgers scored was earned. We really had a stretch there in which it really looked like we could take the game. Unfortunately we never got that break that would have tied us and given us some major momentum. We obviously have more work to do, especially on staying active on defense and being aware of where the disc is, but this performance was really encouraging. Rutgers is a really good team with some serious athletic ability, and we hung with them the whole time. By spring, we can be better.

Notable Plays: Our zone O torches their D in about 10 seconds. Asian Rutgers dude and asshole-douchebag tard get mad.

Game 2: TJHSUoP&NJIL vs. Hofstra

Final: 4-7

So in this game we agreed to play mostly rookies and some returners in unfamiliar roles. We learned a lot about ourselves this game, including the fact that Shane can't cut or dump, and that Garrett is the next JD (in the sense that he's awesome and the best handler on the team). Albert and Shu had some nice throws. All and all a fun affair.

Notable Plays: Albert throws a sick huck to Nirmal. Garrett would have scored 15 points if he had any help on the damn field.

Final Thoughts: A really strong showing. Great job by all of you. We still need to work at getting to that level of intensity and consistency that brought us back against Ramapo and got us that win vs. TCNJ and maintaining it whenever we play. I have an interview on Thursday so I won't see you 'til then. I want to hear about an intense and productive practice when I get back

In the meantime, pat yourselves on the back for some really good play, but don't forget we have work to do. Finally, congratulations to Abnirmal for winning the inaugural tournament disc for his consistently good defense and scoring performance. Keep it up.

Love,

The Collective