DC SHADOW - APRIL 30TH, 2024
Game Recap: DC Shadow Wins Opening Home Game against Nashville Nightshade (April 13th, 2024)
Final Score: DC Shadow 23 - Nashville Nightshade 5 (April 13th, 2024)
The conditions on the field were cool with variable wind; however, given the winds that have prevailed this spring, the Shadow came well prepared to tackle the conditions. While both teams began the game with a hold, DC would go on to score 4 more points by the end of the first quarter leading 5-2. Florence Brooks and Ellen Mueller notched critical blocks in Q1 to generate those breaks. Opening the second quarter, Shadow pulled, Claire Trop got a block, and the possession ended with Ashleigh Jentilet in the endzone. From there, the Shadow controlled the pace of the game with a point scored by Jess Oh to end the first half, with the score 10-3.
The third quarter started like the second, with a hold by Jentilet (11-3). DC continued to go on a break train, with blocks from Jackie Wang and Oh in Q3 contributed to additional points, and Shadow ended the quarter up by 16-3. In the final quarter, Shadow kept the pressure high and continued to rack up the points, including an absolute dime of a hammer from Annelise Peters to Lauren Johnson. The final point had an interception by Peters, followed by give and gos down the field between Carolyn Normile and Jentilet to end the game with a point for Shadow.
This second victory has DC Shadow firmly at the top of the South Division for the PUL. Shadow also now sits as the number one team in the Ultiworld PUL power rankings, noting the +29 point differential and giving up only 5 points in each of the starting games.
Game Preview: Raleigh Radiance at DC Shadow (May 4th, 2024 at 7:00PM EST)
Gameday: Raleigh Radiance at DC Shadow (May 4th, 2024 at 7:00PM EST at Carlini Field)
The DC Shadow will bring their extraordinary depth plus Team USA players Claire Trop, Kami Groom and Caroline Tornquist to match up against Radiance’sTeam USA players Dawn Culton, Alex Barnett, Mary Rippe and Qxnha Titcomb to a repeat of the season’s opening game. Radiance can be expected to push to improve on their earlier performance and redeem themselves, after handily losing to Shadow 16-5 in Durham. The conditions at that game presented challenges for both teams in the wind, and it is too early to predict what awaits the team in early May.
Since the first game, Radiance has dropped two places in the Ultiworld Power Rankings to the 3rd spot while DC took over the top spot. While Radiance fell from the top spot, they had their own commanding win on the road against Atlanta Soul where they were up 13-5 at half and finished the game at 20-9. While DC had a bye week this past weekend, Radiance got some extra reps in at their 23-11 home win last Sunday over Nashville Nightshade.
Announcing Pride Game on June 1: Austin Torch at DC Shadow (June 1st, 2024 at 7:00PM EST)
We’re pleased to announce that DC Shadow’s match up against Austin Torch will be in honor of Pride month. We’ll have special programming and resources available in support of the LGBTQI2A+ community, and we’ll be sharing player statements about the importance of Pride in advance of the game and holding a player-sponsored raffle to raise money for SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders). SMYAL supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. Stay tuned for more details on the raffle. We hope you’ll join us and show your Pride on June 1 for our final home game of the season!
Special Feature: Western Ultimate League vs. Premier Ultimate League ‘Faster Points vs. Faster Games’ by Clare Frantz
Faster Points vs. Faster Games
Have you ever been lying in bed at night, or twiddling your thumbs at your desk, wondering about the differences between the two semi-professional women’s and non-binary ultimate frisbee leagues? Well, look no further, for your daydreams’ answers have arrived!
Previous Shadow players Nada Tramonte and Blaise Sevier recently moved out of the DMV - Westward Ho! - and joined Seattle Tempest and Colorado Alpenglow (respectively) in the Western Ultimate League (WUL). Congratulations and best of luck to those two!
Jamie Eriksson (#24) pulling for the DC Shadow against the Nashville Nightshade (April 13th, 2024)
Additionally, Shadow newcomer Jamie Eriksson came to us from the WUL (Seattle Tempest) to play in the Premiere Ultimate League (PUL) for the first time. We asked these three incredible athletes for all the dirt (*wink*) on these two equally thriving leagues. Keep calm, and read on!
But first, a refresher: the PUL was established in 2019 and currently consists of 11 teams in the Midwest and East Coast. The WUL was established in 2020 and currently consists of 6 teams in the Rocky Mountain States and West Coast. Both leagues play 6 game seasons.
The primary difference between the PUL and the WUL that Nada, Blaise, and Jamie all discussed is the speed of points. For those unaware, the WUL has a 7-second stall count (GASP!) whereas the PUL’s is the standard 10 seconds. Jamie’s experience in the WUL involved frequent stall-outs since the stall is player-counted and therefore often felt more like five seconds.
Understandably, Nada and Blaise were both concerned about the shorter stall-count initially. It was indeed difficult to adjust to, especially at the first few practices. However, our girls are capable and adaptable, so since getting accustomed, they have said that they enjoy it! It requires even faster decision-making and pumps the pace of play up to an all-time high within our already up-tempo sport.
Also needing some getting used to were schedule differences (the WUL starts and ends a couple weeks earlier than the PUL) as well as game-day roster limits. The WUL allows for a 30-player active and 21-player game-day roster max compared to the PUL’s 27-player max for both active and game-day rosters.
The clock functions a bit differently between the two leagues, making the PUL games “feel noticeably quicker” in Jamie’s experience. In the PUL, the clock only pauses on stoppages (calls, injuries, etc.) for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, but in the WUL, these clock pauses occur for the last two minutes of each quarter. Accordingly, the clock management distinction creates faster games in the PUL despite the faster play in the WUL due to the shorter stall.
Additionally, there is no 4th quarter buzzer beater in the WUL! Blaise said she misses it, and who wouldn’t?! Buzzer beaters are a fan favorite in any sport! Might we remind you of Annelise Peters’ successful buzzer beater completion to Claire Trop in Shadow’s first ever home game in 2022?! Refresh your memory!
Despite the rule differences between the leagues, Nada points out that the biggest difference she confronted was giving up one ultimate community for another. She had been in the DC ultimate community for almost a decade, so the cross-country move to a brand new community/team has been an adjustment, as it would be for anyone! She cited the welcoming atmosphere of the Seattle ultimate community and how grateful she is for that, so props to Seattle for being so kind to a newbie.
None of our athletes said that they have a preference between the two leagues, and they each alluded to plenty of similarities that make the experience still feel relatively the same. So, I think it is safe to say that both leagues have their merit and are putting out great products on the field! Battle Royale between the Champions of each at the end of June?! Probably not, but hey, haven’t we established that there is nothing wrong with a little frisbee daydreaming?
Many thanks to Nada, Blaise, and Jamie for their contributions to this post, and stay tuned for next month’s! Go Shadow!
Volunteer with DC Shadow!
We need you to help us put on some great events! Our home games on May 4 (Raleigh Radiance) and June 1 (Austin Torch) will require a lot of help and we’re looking for great people to help. Fill out this interest form and help out a great team, learn what it’s like behind the scenes, and get free admission to the games that you volunteer at.
DC Shadow Tickets on Sale Now!
We hope to see you at our remaining home games of the DC Shadow on May 4th (Raleigh Radiance), and June 1st (Austin Torch). Group rates are also available.
Shop our VC Ultimate DC Shadow Team Store!
Grab some of the best merchandise in the league and shop for DC Shadow Official Team Gear From VC Ultimate Today!
Donate to support the DC Shadow!
DC Shadow relies on community support to bring you the best in ultimate. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution here.
Sponsor Spotlight: WAFC Summer League
WAFC’s Summer league registrations will be opening soon! WAFC will be offering Learn-to-Play leagues, mixed leagues, clique leagues, and more! Make sure you stay in the loop. You can stay updated by following WAFC on X and Instagram @dcdisc and by subscribing to WAFC’s mailing list below!
