Preview

World Cup

March to Myrtle

by IQA Staff | February 19, 2014

Photo courtesy of Will Michels

World Cup VII is quickly approaching and qualified teams are scouring the internet for information on their opponents. Here at the IQA, we decided to help you along and introduce you to the 80 teams you could face in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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Macaulay Honors College Marauders – Northeast – Regional Championship Finish: Quarter-Finals

By Jayke Archibald/IQA Northeast Correspondent 

Macaulay is in its second full year of existence and, having qualified for the World Cup both years, is easily one of the stronger "new" teams in the region. Playing in the Big Apple Quidditch Conference for the last two years has allowed this relatively small school team, composed of members of CUNY’s honors program from across the city, to grow in the best way possible, with experience against other solid teams. Macaulay has been the underdog darling of the Northeast since its inception, and many will be rooting for it to find success this April.

Strengths
Seeking -- Macaulay’s biggest strength lies in its seeker corps, which is perhaps the best in the region. Knowing it has a good chance of winning as long as the game is within range takes pressure off of the rest of the team and allows Macaulay to focus on smart and strong defense. Furthermore, the seekers can bail the team out if they have a poor game, as happened at this past regional where Macaulay defeated Syracuse University in overtime, without scoring a single goal. While that is not feasible on a stage like World Cup VII, such a strong seeking game makes Macaulay a trap game for many teams.

Beaters -- Alongside the strong seekers is an adept beater core, which, while not flashy, manages the game well and plays to its strengths. Knowing that Macaulay may not put up many points, the beaters focus on a more conservative, defensive style, insisting that opponents work for every one of their points. This has worked against teams like Emerson College, whom Macaulay kept within range for most of the game at the Northeast regional until right before the snitch returned. The beaters also balance between the quaffle and seeking game when the snitch returns, allowing their seekers enough time one-on-one to hopefully make a grab while also not letting their chasers get outmatched.

Weaknesses
Offense -- Consistent, cohesive offense. Simply put, Macaulay misses Alex Linde, who was the primary ball carrier and distributor last season. Upon his graduation, the team is still searching for someone to fill that role, and while Andonio Mourdoukoutas has tried valiantly, he is much better in his preferred wing-chaser role. The team does have a handful of freshmen with high potential, and perhaps one of them will step up and run the offense. Until that time, however, Macaulay struggles to put points on the board, which is especially dangerous against more physical teams from other regions.

Urgency -- Tied into both of Macaulay’s strengths is also one of its weaknesses, which could be called offensive urgency. Knowing it has a chance as long as the game is within 30 points, the team sometimes sits back on its heels and solely focuses on defense, missing out on potential offensive chances. While focusing primarily on defense is a proven strategy, especially against much better teams, it does not work without an occasional strong foray forward. Macaulay’s defense is fantastic but won’t be able to hold every team it plays at WCVII to 20 or 30 points.

Standout Player
Andrew Zagelbaum -- He single-handedly qualified this team for WCVII by grabbing both snitches in the Syracuse game, as well as most of the others during pool play at the Northeast regional. Macaulay would be lost without him, and he truly has become one of the elites in not only the region, but also the East Coast. Still only a sophomore, Zagelbaum has a very aggressive style that is matched with an immense desire to win, and he does whatever it takes to get the grab.

Underrated Player
Alec Kleyer -- Perhaps the most athletic of the team’s new freshmen, Kleyer shows enormous potential as the team’s next offensive power. Despite having only a semester under his belt, he has already developed his own style and is possibly the best scorer on the team. If he turns out to be the one to lead the team’s offense in the spring semester, Macaulay could really flourish, so long as he finds the right balance of distribution and driving to the hoops.

Key to Success
As mentioned before, defense is this team’s backbone, as it is what allows its seeker game to matter. If the beaters can maintain control and make life chaotic for opposing chasers, the team can keep enough points off the board to most likely be within snitch range for at least a few minutes when the snitch gets back to pitch, which will hopefully be all Zagelbaum needs. 

Prediction
Depending on the draw, this team could sneak into the brackets, with a probable fourth place finish in its group. Despite the lore of its manner of qualification over Syracuse, the fact that the offense put up zero points in more than 20 minutes of game play is scary. If the offense can’t get it together and at least make opponents respect them, the Marauders will fall behind early with no way of coming back, rendering their best weapon useless in his yellow headband.

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Miami University – Midwest – Regional Finish: 10th
By David Hoops/IQA Midwest Correspondent

One of the oldest teams in the Great Lakes area, Miami University qualified for its first World Cup with an 80*-30 victory over Eastern Michigan in the consolation bracket. Last year a World Cup VI D2 semi-finalist, Miami has steadily improved over the last two years into a team not many can afford to take lightly. How far can Miami go in its first trip to quidditch’s biggest stage?

Strengths
Variety -- Miami has made a vast improvement on the recruiting front over the past two years that is beginning to pay dividends. Mainly in the quaffle game, it can put in a glut of power chasers to pound other teams into submission as easily as it can field speed and finesse. This variety gives Miami University the chance to match itself up with the many different play styles that pop up all over the Midwest. 

Weaknesses
Depth -- The improvement to recruiting notwithstanding, Miami University can struggle past the first line and a half of its players. In a tournament where Miami’s goal is to play more than four matches, it will need to develop its lesser-used players to reach its starters’ levels.

Defense – This somewhat goes with the above problem but occasionally falls into its own separate category. Especially when Miami falls behind, the defensive effort and commitment to strategy can trail off, killing Miami’s chances of a comeback. When Miami has lost this season, it tended to lose well out of snitch range. With Miami’s surprising seeking record (2-1 SWIM, with an extra grab in an OT loss to Central Michigan University), continued effort on defense could potentially give it a chance to grab more upsets.

Standout Player
Brian Neibecker -- One of Miami’s leading scorers as well as Miami’s best point defender, Brian Neibecker is starting to cement his name as a Midwest force. A football background gives Neibecker the physical edge to plow through opponents on both sides of the ball. Last season, he was a bit of a one-trick pony, driving to the hoops and shooting almost every touch of the ball. This season has shown a huge commitment to understanding that when the defense collapses on him, someone has to be open. This has made Neibecker a true offensive catalyst when he is on the field.

Underrated Player
Tina Kinstedt/Jeremy Ferlic – Miami’s most effective beating pair rarely, if ever, gets enough credit for the team’s success. Kinstedt is widely regarded as one of the best female beaters in the region due to her vast knowledge of the game and top-level athleticism. Ferlic might not be as well-known, but he shows great accuracy on long-distance beats and a great ability to catch bludgers thrown at him to regain control. Ferlic was last year’s team MVP, and this season the duo was vital to Miami’s OT surprise against Central Michigan as well as its closer-than-the-score-says 150*-90 loss to Bowling Green State University in September.

Key to Success
The qualified Midwest teams currently seem to be broken up into two main tiers: the top seven, who can all potentially claim “King of the Region” status, and everybody else. Miami falls in the latter group and has struggled mightily against the top tier. Finding just one victory against that top tier this spring can do wonders to its confidence heading into its first World Cup appearance.

Prediction
This depends heavily on the ranking Miami can achieve heading into World Cup VII and its subsequent draw in its pool. Currently ranked #48, Miami places in pot three or four. A pot-three ranking gives Miami a much better chance to find two wins, but I unfortunately do not think it will be able to find enough to advance to the play-in round. However, a lot of matches have yet to be played, and Miami could have a strong spring season. A better performance than the fall will not only give Miami more confidence but also (hypothetically) an easier pool-play schedule.

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Steel City Quidditch Club – Mid-Atlantic – 10th
By Steve Minnich/IQA Mid-Atlantic Correspondent

Steel City Quidditch Club (SCQC) claimed a bid to World Cup VII through the tough road of the consolation bracket. SCQC impressed in pool play with a snitch-catch victory over World Cup-hopefuls Rutgers University and a huge snatch victory over crosstown rivals Qudditch Club Pittsburgh (Pitt).  However, Pitt won the rematch in bracket play to send SCQC the way of the consolations, where it defeated Virginia Commonwealth University (a Round of 32 team in World Cup VI) and Duke University to punch its ticket to Myrtle. 

Strengths
Rebounding -- Running an offensive style that creates chaos near the hoops, SCQC’s chasers are adept at cleaning up missed shots and converting those rebounds into second opportunities.  Relying on hustle and that steel town grit, Steel City seems to score as many goals by rebounding as it does in transition and in the set offense combined.

Defensive Beater Positioning -- While its beaters can sometimes seem to be a little too conservative, waiting to react to the offense instead of forcing the offense to make a play, SCQC’s beaters actually force quite a bit of discomfort in opposing offenses by holding strong positions. Forward-playing beaters are able to force a pass before mid-pitch if the need arises, and back beaters are almost always in a position to track down a receiver before the quaffle can be caught.

Weaknesses
Passing -- Steel City really struggles to connect on its passes. Tossing floaters to a breaking player results in the defense being able to catch up to the break; inaccurate lasers end a half-pitch set before it can get moving. While this issue can be in part attributed to chasers looking to be in position for rebounds and to cause a ruckus by hoop-presence, SCQC really needs to sharpen up on its passes to make a splash at World Cup VII. 

Decision-Making -- To compound the weakness in its passing game, SCQC struggles to identify its options in the passing game. Beyond passing decisions, this issue plagues defensive decisions as well. It seems like a two-fold problem: a lack of solid communication and poor timing. While open chasers often go unseen, it occasionally happens that such options are seen just too late. On the other end, chasers and beaters both mistime their attempts to be aggressive; a decision to tackle comes after the play has developed and a pass has been made, bludgers are held just too long or maybe a tackle is committed to too early and a quaffle-carrier has three or more steps to react and evade.

Standout Player
Dave Schreiber -- Going into regionals, Sean O’Brien was expected to be the core of the beating game for SCQC. However, as the weekend progressed, it was Dave Schreiber, a graduate of QC Pitt, who proved the dominant force for Steel City. When Steel City succeeded, it was often on the back of Schreiber – forcing plays from the mid-line or sinking back to the hoops if his speed was needed to take out passing options. On the offensive end, successful drives often were sprung by Schreiber beating a tackler wrapped around his quaffle-carrier. With a bludger in his hand, Schreiber is an incredibly effective beater and has a big impact on games. 

Underrated Player
Emily Barno -- Perhaps her underrated-ness can be linked to the weaknesses I pointed out above. Barno is a talented wing chaser, and throughout regional play, she was found wide open to the side of the hoops calling for a pass that rarely came. She has impressive hands on defense, and she fights for every loose ball that hits the turf. In that sense, she contributes in large part to SCQC’s biggest strength: its rebounding, which is a real reflection of Barno’s grit, hustle, tenacity and determination to impact each game.

Key to Success
Dave Schreiber needs to get going, and he needs a bludger in his hand to get there. In the brackets, QC Pitt dedicated a beater to disrupting Schreiber’s game, and he allowed the disruption to occur. It was the difference between a win and a loss. That can’t happen if Steel City wants to compete in Myrtle.

Prediction
While I love the hustle this team brings, its style of play is too unorganized to make much noise. SCQC could go winless, but be assured it will not go down without a fight and some hard-nosed grit, making its city proud.

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Villanova Community Quidditch – Mid-Atlantic – Regional Runners-Up
By Erin Mallory/IQA Mid-Atlantic Correspondent

Villanova Community Quidditch has always been a powerhouse team in the Mid-Atlantic region, and 2014 seems to be no different. After a disappointing finish in World Cup VI, where it was eliminated in the play-in game on a questionable call, Villanova looks to redeem itself as it prepares for World Cup VII. By finishing second at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship (MARC), losing only on a snitch grab, Villanova is off to a strong start to show the rest of the country that it is not to be underestimated this year.

Strengths
Seeking -- After losing Billy Greco at the beginning of the season when he went to join the NYDC Capitalists, people questioned Villanova’s seeking game for the year. But there was no need to; Dan Takaki continues to impress everyone who watches. His mix of aggression and agility when going after the snitch very rarely seems to fail him. When he is allowed to get near the snitch, the other team should start to panic. His clutch seeking has given Villanova the win many times so far this season, and I believe this trend will continue into the second half of the season and in the World Cup.

Chasing Game -- With a wealth of experience and athleticism, Villanova’s chasers are a dynamic and strong part of its team. With great passers, cutters and drivers, Villanova’s options are unlimited. With strong male chasers, Villanova’s offense and defense can match most. An even more important part of the chasing game is the strength of its female chasers. Julia Fillman is one of the strongest female chasers in the region and having her on the field enhances all of Villanova’s chasing. Villanova has many lethal combinations of chasing lines because not only is its first line strong, but so is its second and third. This chasing depth and strength will be a huge asset when WCVII rolls around.

Weaknesses
Consistency -- The biggest and scariest weakness that Villanova demonstrates is consistency. During the fall, Villanova tended to play to the level of its opponents. This worked great when it played the other Mid-Atlantic powerhouses, but it had the team only up 40 on Duke University when Villanova caught the snitch. Although Villanova does have clutch seeking to save it when it has closer games, the risk in these close games could cause an early upset. Once Villanova is able to consistently play at the level it displayed in the MARC final, there will no longer be the fear of an early exit to a lesser team.

Seeker Beating -- The two games that Villanova lost at regionals this year were to Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and the University of Maryland. Both games were tied when the snitch was caught, and beaters kept Takaki away from the snitch in both games. Although Villanova had maintained bludger control for the majority of the Maryland game, once the snitch came back, Maryland’s beaters got control and never relinquished. With this control, Takaki got maybe one or two looks at the snitch for an extended period of time. He was left alone and his beaters could not help him. In the PSU game, rival beater Scott Axel was all over the snitch and controlled the game. With a great seeker like Takaki, Villanova’s beaters have to be able to step up when the snitch comes back so that he can actually have a shot.

Standout Player
Khalil Taylor -- Only a second-year player, Taylor provides a spark on offense that lights up the field and his teammates. During the MARC final, he weaved his way through Maryland’s defense and was able to score a few goals to give Villanova an early lead, showing that he has to be tightly marked on offense at all times or his speed will make teams pay. You also can’t take him lightly on the other side of the ball. His shut-down defense makes it very hard to get separation from him and trying to get past him with the ball is nearly impossible due to his quick feet. With Taylor on the field, Villanova’s chaser line is always bolstered.

Underrated Player
Michelle Turner -- Half of the beater pair that kept bludger control a majority of the time during the MARC final, Turner is a key cog to the beating game for Villanova. Although earlier it was stated that the seeker beating needed to step up, Turner and her partner contributed to many missed goals and opportunities during the seeker floor and before the snitch returned. Making many goal-saving beats, she was part of a defense that built a solid lead and throughout the season she has demonstrated this. Her quick thinking and tenacity on the field allow her to make smart throws and regain control.   

Keys to Success
In order for Villanova to exceed all expectations at WCVII, it will have to play consistently well throughout the entire tournament. The chasers will have to continue to play as athletically as they have shown they can and score enough to give Takaki the option to catch the snitch. If Villanova is in the game goal-wise, then Takaki should be able to come through and keep Villanova in the tournament.

Prediction
Villanova will definitely make bracket play at WCVII and not through a play-in game this time. Personally, I see Villanova having a strong chance to make the Sweet 16, but it will depend on its matchup in the Round of 32. As long as Villanova can come out of its pool strong, Villanova should get a favorable matchup and will indeed move to the Sweet 16, but after that I do not see Villanova advancing further unless the chasing game keeps the score close and Takaki gets hot.