Marine Aircraft Group 12 took the crown against Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 in an ultimate frisbee tournament hosted by Semper Fit at Penny Lake field here June 10.
The tournament, which took place from June 8-10, was part of the 2011 Commander’s Cup challenge. The challenge is a series of contests taken place throughout the year.
This last game was part of a double-elimination tournament.
MAG-12 came into the game confident after beating many of their opponents by double digits the previous days.
MWSS-171 had other plans.
The first round was hard fought and fast paced. MAG-12 was the first team to score. MWSS-171 scored just as quickly. Neither team eased off playing as they fought for control of the frisbee.
Players wholly committed their bodies to catching the frisbee as it came overhead. Several times throughout the first round, players collided and slammed into one another in an effort to secure the frisbee.
“We were just playing physical,” said William A. Chatman, MAG-12 player.
The opposing teams intercepted throws several times from one another throughout the first game, keeping the score dead-locked.
MWSS-171 made one last attempt to steal the game from MAG-12 with a desperate pass to the end zone. Edwin F. Jackson, MAG-12 player, made a leaping swat to end the first game. The score was 9-9.
The tie caused some confusion between the two teams. The teams did not want to play two more games to decide the winner. They agreed to play one more full-length game. The winner of that game would be the overall champion of the tournament. The two teams took a 15-minute break before taking the field.
MWSS-171 started off the second game with the lead. A series of quick interceptions, along with single man coverage, allowed MWSS-171 to put points on the board. MAG-12 found itself playing behind much of the first half down by at least three points.
MWSS-171 managed to keep MAG-12 from scoring throughout most of the second half. That changed late in the second half.
The score was 11-8 with MWSS-171 in the lead. With less than two minutes left to play, MAG-12 fought its way to within a one-point deficit. MWSS-171 fought to keep the team out of the end zone whenever they took possession of the frisbee by throwing high away from their opponents. The quickness of MAG-12 neutralized that strategy, as the players regain possession swatting the frisbee several times. MAG-12 sprinted down the field with less than a minute left, making several well-placed throws to tie the game with a score of 11-11.
The series now stood with two ties.
“We were equally matched,” said Kevin L. Williams, MWSS-171 player. “If we had 10 more minutes, we would’ve gone to triple overtime.”
The two teams, tired and bruised from their rough, physical play, made the choice of having one five-minute game.
Chatman said MAG-12 was able to win the game because of their willingness to win.
Fatigue had set in by this point for both teams.
“There was a moment where I felt like I couldn’t move my legs anymore,” said Ryan C. Marshall, MAG-12 player.
MAG-12 scored first with a diving catch by Chatman.
MWSS-171 responded with a touchdown of its own. Both teams fought for possession of the frisbee.
The game then came down to the wire with MAG-12 making one last catch in the end zone to put them ahead 2-1.
MWSS-171 tried to score again but MAG-12 denied them the opportunity.
After the tournament, MAG-12 was awarded the first place trophy.
MAG-12 received 30 points toward the Commander’s Cup and $100 toward its party fund. Twenty seven points were awarded to MWSS-171 along with a $75 party fund. The third place winner received 25 points. All the teams that participated received 20 points.