Preview

World Cup

March to Myrtle

by IQA Staff | March 11, 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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Austin Quidditch – Southwest – Regional Finish: 7th
By Stephen Bell/Guest Writer

Austin Quidditch (AQ) is a mixture of savvy veterans and impressive new talent whose foundation is built upon scrappy defense, strong beater play and a never-say-die attitude. A team with sound strategy, good spacing, and nicely timed cuts puts everything together to form a versatile offense capable of both passing and driving its way through defenses. Known for never giving up on a game, Austin Quidditch will defend a snitch for as long as it takes to figure out an opponent and stage a comeback.

Strengths
Chemistry and adaptability – AQ has great team play. Its players know each other well on the field and play to each other’s strengths. Having a variety of athletes with unique skill sets, AQ’s offensive attack can change drastically as different players cycle in and out. This allows them to match up well against many different styles of play and keeps the opposition guessing at how they will attack the next possession. Austin Quidditch can be a passing team that works the ball back and forth between teammates en route to the hoops. It can also be a driving-oriented, pick-and-roll type of team. It has players who excel at long shots and some who are great at going airborne for alley-oop dunks. While some teams thrive under a very decisive offensive approach, AQ benefits from a more free-flowing style that allows personnel to dictate strategy. It has done an excellent job of being able to adapt with each other as a team, and because of this, it is able to get the most out of its players’ abilities.

Beating – With Evan Carr, Javi Ruiz and Zachary Pickett donning the black headband, Austin Quidditch wields an impressive male beating core. Carr brings a high level of athleticism, a great attitude and winning experience from his time on last year’s University of Texas World Cup championship team. Ruiz is a feisty fourth-year player with a large repertoire of tricks at his disposal, and Pickett is a well-rounded up-and-comer who plays with a lot of physicality and determination. Female beaters Destanie Nieto and Leah Lawson are no slouches in their own right and are able to produce at a high level with very little competitive experience under their belts. As a team, Austin Quidditch is very good at gaining bludger control and maintaining it for lengthy stretches of games. It is something that has allowed the team to stay close in tough games and upset higher-ranked opponents. With bludger control, AQ beaters are able to force bad passes and are skilled enough to often times beat the intended recipient of those passes before the ball gets to them. With the snitch back on pitch, AQ’s beaters do a good job managing their defensive responsibilities while still being able to affect the seeking game. With this strategy, Austin Quidditch is typically able to stay within snitch range against strong opponents and maintain that differential once things start to get hectic.

Photo courtesy of

Weaknesses
Inconsistency – While Austin Quidditch can be a tough team to match when its offense is hitting on all cylinders, it has been plagued by occasional scoring droughts which sometimes dig it into a tough hole to climb out of. It will have spells in games against stout competition where passes sail just off target, cuts come in a half second too late or catchable passes are dropped by the intended receiver. These miscues typically lead to turnovers and can give experienced teams counterattack opportunities. If AQ wants to continue winning games and close the gap between itself and quidditch’s elite, it must focus on executing at a higher level and maintaining that level of execution throughout games. If the team can manage this at World Cup, it should be able to put together a nice little run.

Standout Player
Jeremy Avelar – Jeremy Avelar simply doesn’t stop. When watching Austin Quidditch play, Avelar immediately jumps out at you from the blistering speed and reckless abandon with which he navigates the pitch. If there is a loose ball on the ground, he will be the first one diving for it. If there is a pile up on the quaffle, he’s going to be at the bottom of it. His hustle, determination and will to win cannot be understated. Avelar uses a mixture of speed and strength to blow by would be defenders and possesses the athleticism and skill to finish plays at the hoops when left unchecked by a bludger. Avelar also wields the ability to execute timely passes to cutting teammates, which he uses to navigate around beaters for scores. He has a well-rounded off-ball game as well, where he routinely connects on impressive diving alley-oop scores and is able to use his physicality and high motor to make his presence felt on the defensive side of the field. Avelar takes this skillset, and continually makes the kind of hustle plays that inspire his teammates and help AQ build momentum towards a victory.

Underrated Player
Zach Pickett, Taylor Risinger – Zach “Crazy Arms” Pickett is a player who has shown steady improvement since first joining the sport a season ago. Pickett, who displays an aggressive but calculated style of play, is a key piece to an underrated Austin Quidditch defense. With bludger in hand, he is able to use impressive lateral cutting ability to evade opposing beaters while still maintaining defensive discipline. When without, Pickett is adept at baiting opposing beaters into making poor decisions. Through a series of lunges, sideways leaps and arm flails, Pickett often provokes bludger throws in his direction which he then dodges or catches with great success. He is unafraid of physical play and will not hesitate to lay a hit to wrestle a bludger away from an opponent who allows him in too close.
Another player on AQ who has come through for it in the clutch this season is seeker Taylor Risinger. A first-year player, Risinger has been able to use his speed and lengthy wingspan to smother snitches all season. With another strong showing at the Southwest Regional, Risinger continues to help AQ become a contender.

Key to Success
Bludger Control – When AQ has bludger control, the beaters are very good at forcing opponents into making errors. However, they have a much tougher time stopping elite teams from scoring when left with only one.

Execution – Austin Quidditch is a very strategically sound team. If it can minimize the number of minor mistakes it makes and maintain a decent level of offensive execution throughout entire games, Austin Quidditch has a real chance at upsetting a lot of teams this World Cup.

Prediction
I can definitely see Austin Quidditch making it out of pool play this year. However, I do not see it being able to match the firepower of stronger teams it will face later in bracket play. I predict AQ will move on to day two of the tournament, and maybe even grab an early win or two before eventually falling short. This team has the ability and desire to hang in there with the best of them, so don’t be surprised to see it make a deeper run at the title if its seekers can manage clutch pulls.

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QC Boston: The Massacre – Northeast – Regional Finish: Quarterfinals
By JackthePhan/IQA Correspondent

QC Boston: The Massacre (QCB) formed this summer and quickly earned the attention of the quidditch community with the additions of veteran players from New York to California. Before QCB even took the field, Boston's first community team composed of experienced players had great expectations. A semi-final finish at the season opening SNEQC/MQC Meet lessened the hype and QCB went to work on building chemistry and implementing its newer players. After months of scrimmages and official games against Boston-based opponents, QCB won its pool at the Northeast Regional and secured a high seed. An upset in the quarterfinals to New York University sent QCB home to a long Boston winter motivated for the spring season and World Cup VII.

Photo by /IQA Photo Editor

Strengths
Wing Chasers – Many middle-tier teams lack talented wing chasers, but the Massacre's attack from the wings is a clear strength for the Boston community team. QC Boston's wing play has the opportunity to set it apart from other middle-tier teams and catapult it nto the later rounds of bracket play. QCB can sub in former collegiate star after former collegiate star relentlessly, unleashing a variety of styles and sizes in its wing chasers. Because of their collegiate experience, many of these wing chasers can slide over to keeper and run the offense too.

Weaknesses
Defense – To contend with top-tier teams, QC Boston's defense needs to perform much better in almost every category. Communication between the Massacre's beaters and chasers is key, because the QCB beating corps does not have the elite quickness required to make difficult recoveries. Cleaner, more forceful tackling, better shot blocking from keepers and tighter man defense are also areas where QCB can and must improve.

Slow-Paced Games – Although it's not as glaring of a weakness, QCB is much more successful in a semi-transition or fast-paced game than a slow-paced game. At the Northeast Regional Championship, QCB pushed pool of death opponents Hofstra University and University of Rochester into playing faster-paced games, and the extra, open field space allowed for its chasers to display their playmaking ability. Due to depleted rosters, the Massacre has had to slow gameplay down to conserve energy sometimes. While QCB will hopefully have a full roster in North Myrtle Beach, a faster-paced game is better suited for the Massacre's personnel.

Standout Player
Jayke Archibald  – While other Massacre stars have received more attention nationally, chaser Jayke Archibald is a threat known to many Northeast foes and his performances have at times been spectacular. Archibald, a former Hofstra star, is perhaps QCB's most versatile wing chaser. He can hurt an opposing team in so many different ways and uses a veteran understanding of quidditch to break down defenses. Against his alma mater at the Northeast Regional Championship, Archibald exploded for multiple goals early in the game, putting QCB on a path for a blowout win.

Underrated Player
Brian Zhangi  – Featured in Ethan Sturm's ode to "nameless" players in the Northeast during the fall, Massacre chaser Brian Zhangi is still underrated heading into North Myrtle Beach. Zhangi exhibits strong tackling and tough marking for QCB on the defensive side of the ball and is arguably its best defensive player. On offense, Zhangi is agile and quick and has good finishing ability near the hoops.

Key to Success
QCB needs to utilize its wing chasers in every way possible on offense, whether that's through playing a fast-paced offense or distribution from keeper Victor Viega. Beaters need to show more aggression on defense, which will take some pressure off the Massacre's chaser defense.

Prediction
It's hard to predict how well QCB will play after a four-month break from major tournaments, but the Massacre was definitely heading in a good direction this fall. QCB will probably face a tough opponent in the play-in round and it will be up to seeker Ryan Barnada to send the Boston community team further into bracket play.

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University of South Florida – South – Regional Finish: 3rd/4th
By Sean Beloff/Guest Writer

By making the semi-finals of the South Regional, the University of South Florida secured its third consecutive World Cup bid.  Even though last year was a bit rough – injuries to multiple starters led to an early exit in the opening round of bracket play – USF seems to be hitting its stride just in time to make a comeback at World Cup VII. 

Strengths
Beater Play – USF’s best strength is definitely its beater core.  Ali Barnes, Rachel Marion, Phil Carillo and Austin Webster all work extremely well together and usually are able to maintain bludger control for the majority of the game.  The beaters stabilize an above average defense, but they are also heavily incorporated into the offense, where USF uses them to create lanes for its chasers.

Depth – This year’s Bulls team is very young, but a deep rotation of players allows them to play a very physical style of quidditch.  USF doesn’t have a sophisticated offensive scheme, but its gritty style of play becomes incredibly wearing as a game goes on.  A constant supply of fresh legs allowed the Bulls to come back from a 60-point deficit and upset Florida’s Finest at the South Regional.  It makes USF a dangerous team – in fact, USF reminds me a little bit of Bowling Green State University from last year’s World Cup.   They might be unheralded, but I would not want to face the Bulls in Myrtle Beach this April. 

Weaknesses
Inexperience – The Bulls primary problem this season is a lack of experience. USF lost a bunch of players from last year’s squad, and while its new players are talented, most of them are still very green.  At points this season the team looked lost, even with a relatively simple game plan.  Chasers often get caught out of position on defense and require the beaters to bail them out.  However, where the inexperience really shows is on offense.

Offense – Six months into the season, and the Bulls still don’t seem to have an offensive identity.  They run a few set plays, but many of their chasers still struggle to cut to open space.  This forces the Bulls to be very drive heavy, and the offensive is almost entirely ineffective when going against two bludgers.  The team has a few players that work well together – the second line led by Baustin Archie and Tyler Goss scores at an above average rate – but the Bulls need a much more complex scheme if they want make it to the brackets at World Cup VII. 

Standout Player
Baustin Archie – One of the few returning players on USF’s team this year, Baustin is the closest thing the Bulls have to a leader on field.  With long arms and a solid frame, Archie makes a great keeper, plus he’s mobile enough to run the offense. Archie sees passing lanes very well, and he’s become a common alley-oop target for the Bulls in the half-court.  However, here may be a case where USF’s deep rotations works against it – Baustin should probably play more minutes than he does.  Archie is USF’s best offensive weapon, and it needs to better utilize him if it wants to make a push at World Cup. 

Underrated Player
Tyler Goss – Another one of USF’s veterans, Tyler Goss is the emotional leader on this year’s Bulls team.  Goss may be USF’s best finisher on offense.  With good size and quick feet, Goss can overpower smaller chasers and outrun most others.  However, his best ability is his hustle – he’s not afraid of any opponent, and the attitude is contagious.  He led the drive that allowed USF to catch Florida’s Finest at the South Regional, scoring three quick goals to bring the game back into snitch range and force overtime.  Goss is tenacious on defense and usually matches up with the opposing team’s best offensive chaser.  He’s one to watch and could make the next step at World Cup. 

Key to Success
Offensive Identity – The Bulls need to find some kind of offensive identity if they want to make a push into the later rounds of bracket play at World Cup.  There is a ton of raw talent on their roster, but they haven’t fit the pieces together just yet.  At the moment, the way I see it, USF needs to start playing more to its size.  It needs to embrace a physical style of play on both sides of the pitch, and a deep bench full of bruisers should allow them to do just that. 

Prediction
I really think that the Bulls are better than advertised; something seemed to click for them on the second day of their regional.  I think that USF will make it to bracket play at World Cup, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it won a game or two.  This is a tough team and will be a tough match for any team in April.

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University of Maryland – Mid-Atlantic – Regional Finish: Champions
By JackthePhan/IQA Correspondent

When the University of Maryland (UMD) won its first tournament of the year, Nittany Lion Cup, with a roster composed mostly of new players, we knew it was going to be a good season for the Terps. After falling to Emerson College in the Turtle Cup quarterfinals, Maryland cruised to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship a month later. Maryland's spring debut at Capitol Cup exposed several weaknesses, as Maryland finished second to the NYDC Capitalists and dropped an early pool play game to a merc team composed predominantly of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC).

Strengths
Chaser Depth – A large part of Maryland's success this season has to be attributed to the stellar new players it picked up at the beginning of the season. From what we've seen, UMD doesn't have a single chaser line where the talent drops off or opponents are able to run up the score against. UMD's lines are consistent from top to bottom, which allows the chasers to play a very fluid quaffle game. Inserting various weapons, such as facilitator Matt Angelico, veteran Erin Mallory or power-player Matt Paesch, is just a privilege.

Offensive Movement – Maryland's offense thrives on lots of cutting, juking and other off-ball movement. With off-ball chasers hustling into position during a drive, Maryland is able to score lots of goals past opposing keepers using accurate, cross-field passes. Only the fastest, most conditioned and most disciplined man-to-man defenses will be able to mark Maryland step-for-step off the ball. However, when Maryland's passing execution becomes sloppy, the Terps become prone to the fastbreak and struggle on offense.

Weaknesses
Playing Without Bludger Control – Maryland has consistently struggled on both ends of the pitch when playing without bludger control and its struggles have cost it games. The popular, statistics analysis Tumblr blog found that during the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship finals against Villanova Community Quidditch, "Maryland was deadly against a one bludger defense scoring on 5/8 drives (63%), but struggled against Nova’s two bludger defense (3/17, 18%)."
During the Turtle Cup quarterfinals, Maryland's defense began to concede goals to a mediocre Emerson offense when in a game-changing play, Emerson seized bludger control. Maryland ended up dropping that game to Emerson for its only loss of the fall season. Finally, just this past weekend at Capitol Cup, lack of bludger control played a big part in Maryland's unexpected loss to a merc team made of mostly UNC players. The beater game also controlled Maryland's two matches with the NYDC Capitalists, and the two teams split the series.

Inexperience – While for most of this March to Myrtle, I've praised how well Maryland's rookies have played, UMD's inexperience could hurt it, as it competes on the sport's biggest stage against new strategies and new teams. While it can be overhyped, the difference between the IQA World Cup and regular regional tournaments is still significant and the differences are amplified by an inexperienced roster. Traveling and the spectacle of World Cup can be distractions for first-time, World Cup players. In addition, the Mid-Atlantic isn't the most strategically diverse region, and it could be difficult for Maryland to adjust to new defensive schemes or more aggressive beating.

Standout Player
Harry Greenhouse – Harry Greenhouse is neither a hulking ball carrier or a masterful distributor, but the Maryland veteran completely embodies a standout player. Gifted with natural athleticism, Greenhouse's bursts of speed and confident tackles seem effortless, yet his hustle on the defensive side of the ball is easily recognizable. Like many on the 2012-2013 World Champion University of Texas team, who would later solidify places on All-American teams, Greenhouse's ability to chase in a fluid offense and catch snitches is only a compliment to his first-class point defense.

Photo by /IQA Photo Editor

Underrated Player
Bryan Barrows – The Mid Atlantic's answer to Kifer Gregorie, Ethan Kapke and Brian Wong, speedy chaser Bryan Barrows made his season debut with Maryland at Capitol Cup. Barrows, one of several UMD players that were abroad during the fall season, returned to play a key role in Maryland's offense. With ankle breaking cuts and speed on the ball, Barrows drastically improves the Terps' attack when he's on the field.

Key to Success
Maryland's key to success is quite plain and simple: maintain bludger control. That cannot be emphasized enough. Although I didn't feature a beater as the "standout player" or the "underrated player," the Ricky Nelson-led beating corps is carrying the hopes of UMD on their shoulders.

Prediction
It would appear that Maryland is a lock to advance at least to the Sweet Sixteen. Going further in bracket play will depend on UMD's inexperienced, first-time World Cup players, its ability to hold bludger control and the seeking of Harry Greenhouse.