Preview

March to Myrtle

by IQA Staff | April 3, 2014

Photo courtesy of Will Michels

 World Cup VII is this weekend, 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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Grand Valley State University - Midwest - Regional Finish: 15th
By Daniel Daugherty/Eighth Man Correspondent

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) was the final team to qualify for the World Cup at the Midwest Regional Championship. After a string of losses, GVSU faced off against Eastern Michigan University (EMU) for the 15th and final spot. GVSU punched its ticket by staying within snitch range so its seeker could pull the team to victory.

Strengths
Teamwork – This team has always had its issues with chemistry, which always starts at the top and works it way down through the rest of the team. This year, it seems to have all changed. GVSU has finally begun to play as a cohesive unit. For the first time in a long time it looks like GVSU is having fun on the pitch and working together. This is by far its biggest strength and something it is going to have to ride in order to find success at World Cup.

Weaknesses
Skill – Overall, this team just isn’t as athletic as higher-tier teams. GVSU has a few players such as Gabe Unick who possess athletic ability, but the team lacks depth. I foresee GVU being unable to hang with better teams.

Standout Player
John Alexander – John Alexander does it all for this team as he is the captain on and off the pitch. Alexander should be given a lot of the credit for this team’s World Cup qualification, not only with his play but his leadership as well. Whatever his team needs, Alexander delivers. He is a big-time player who can make game-changing plays on both sides of the ball if given the opportunity. Look for Alexander to really make waves in North Myrtle Beach and be a good chunk of this team’s offense.

Underrated Player
Samantha Hageman – Samantha Hageman provides versatility on Grand Valley. She is a smart player and a capable keeper. There is a stigma in this sport that says female players can’t be effective keepers, but Hageman is the exception to this stereotype and is effective in her own way. With Hageman on the pitch, GVSU has the ability to run different line-ups, which could potentially pose matchup issues for the opposition. It will be interesting to see if GVSU knows how to exploit this.

Key to Success
Exploit Key Matchups – As stated above, having a female keeper allows this team to use unique line-ups. The question remains if GVSU has the ability to utilize this strategy to its advantage. Throughout World Cup, this team will be outmatched athletically, so it will have to show up with a strategy to even the playing field.

Prediction
This team will not make it to bracket play. It might be able to win a game, but, beyond that, the other teams will just prove too much for GVSU.

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New York University Nundu – Northeast – Regional Finish: 4th
By Amanda Dallas/IQA Editorial Manager

New York University is currently in its fourth year; however, the Nundu were virtually an unknown until last year. Early this season, the team struggled to find its bearings, losing the majority of its standouts to graduation, and few thought the team could find the success it did last year. Though it is still struggling to become a threat on the national stage, the team is starting to find itself, as shown by its impressive performance at the Northeast Regional Championship.

Strengths
Male Beaters – If you’re from the Northeast, you know Kyle Jeon. He is the anchor of the squad, opening lanes for his chasers on offense and forcing passes at the forward position on defense. But also worth noting are the much lesser known J.J. Lynn and Dylan Meehan. Meehan is a new addition to the squad this season. Unlike Jeon, Meehan is more controlled on the pitch. He has the ability to adapt to almost any situation and his speed allows him to essentially run circles around any player. Rarely are chasers and keepers able to juke or cut past this beater. Lynn is also quick on his feet. Entering his third year, his biggest strength is his experience. He knows when to make the beats and when to hold the ball. A common trait the three share is their willingness to sacrifice their bodies for the game. It is ingrained in these beaters that control is of the utmost importance, and if they lose control, the opposition will not face a single play in which their bludgers are not threatened.

Scouting – Dante Close recently re-joined the NYU roster, giving NYU not only another scoring option at chaser but also an experienced scout to assist captains Lucy Miller and Jeon in their research. Close was an intricate part of NYU’s scouting last season and has been noted for doing extensive research on teams, even going so far as to printing photos of key opponents for easy identification. Add to that the behind-the-scenes assistance of a number of experienced NYDC Capitalists and the Nundu have instant access to a knowledge bank of big names and team strategies from across the United States and Canada that they themselves have not encountered.

Weaknesses
Offense – Two players made up the Nundu’s offense last semester: returners Zack Gindes and David Tian. Two players will be absent from the Nundu’s offense this semester: Gindes and Tian. It will be up to returners Close and Rich Martino and freshmen Kyle Carey and Brennan Leininger to run the offense once dominated by the aforementioned duo. Carey will have to really step it up for the Nundu. Touted as being a better version of Gindes, he is tall and fast with above-average distribution and driving abilities, but he needs to start translating these skills into goals. These four seem entirely capable of shifting NYU’s biggest weakness into a strength—speed and brains are certainly on their side—but they have yet to prove they can carry the offense against higher-ranked foes.

Making the First Move – NYU needs to start making the plays. The members of this team have a tendency to hesitate and let the opposition make the first move—whether it’s an opposing beater releasing the ball first in a bludger battle or an NYU quaffle carrier waiting for the opposition to lay a hit before he or she even attempts to pass. These may seem like minute details, but these plays eventually add up in quaffle points.

Standout Player
Kyle Jeon – He picked up a bludger one week before the 2012 Northeast Regional Championship and has been a standout at the position ever since. Jeon is the key piece to the NYU defense and offense. His impeccable field awareness, speed and accuracy make him deadly on either end of the pitch. On defense, Jeon is one of the few on this roster who does not hesitate to make the first move at point, forcing chasers to either dish an immediate pass or suffer a turnover. On offense, expect him to lead his keeper in with or without control and cause disarray among the opposition.

Underrated Player
Austin Sweeney – Don’t let his pastel puppy sweater fool you. Sweeney is a major threat if the team is within snitch range. At 6-foot-4 with an impressive wingspan, Sweeney towers over most seekers and many snitches, granting him the ability to easily reach over or around them. A first-year player, look for Sweeney to eventually become one of the elite in the East if his team can find a way to consistently stay within snitch range.

Key to Success
Slowing It Down – NYU is not riddled with athletes. It doesn’t have the depth Villanova Community Quidditch, the Pot One team in its pool, possesses. NYU’s starters will get tired and will need equally as strong substitutes. However, what NYU can do is slow down the game in order to get more minutes out of its strongest, just as it did to obtain its win against QC Boston: the Massacre at the Northeast Regional. But the ability to do this correlates with one of its weaknesses: the ability to make the first move. In a nutshell, NYU needs to take control of every game it plays, slow it down and force the opposition to play by its rules.

Prediction
This team should sneak into the brackets due to luck of the draw and a hint of skill. The Nundu somehow ended up with the easiest pool the team has ever seen. It has the ability to pull out wins against Carleton University, Miami University of Ohio and Oklahoma Baptist University predominantly due to Jeon’s ability to counteract beater opposition and Sweeney’s presence in the seeker game. If these kittens continue to get lucky, snagging a favorable match in the play-in round of 48, they will move on to the Round of 32; however, I don’t see them making it much further.

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Oklahoma State University - Southwest - Regional Finish: 8th
By Beto Natera/IQA Southwest Correspondent

Easily the best team in Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University (OSU) is somewhat removed from the bright lights of its region as a result of its location. Two impressive victories against the University of Arkansas at the Southwest Regional Championship, the latter guaranteeing OSU’s spot in North Myrtle Beach, left many wondering exactly how good this team is. A blowout loss to Louisiana State University (LSU) in pool play of the same tournament raised questions as OSU was incapable of slowing chaser Brad Armentor. Which Cowboy squad will we see at World Cup? The stout defensive team that tripped up Arkansas or the team that seemed to be caught in the headlights against LSU?

Strengths
Beating – While this group isn’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, OSU is adept at maintaining bludger control against lesser teams. Beater Mark Denker is physical, aggressive and intelligent in his use of the bludger. When the Cowboys lose possession, their beaters will pick out the weaker of the two opposing beaters and go for a strip or an outright tackle. If the beaters are on their game, watch out for OSU.

Chaser Defense – This team can hit, which is a very useful trait in our sport, I assure you. As a result, this team punishes chasers with a swarming defense that pairs well with its beating corps. However, this is a bit of a double-edged sword for the Cowboys as this often results in their defense being out of position, leaving their keeper isolated at times.

Weaknesses
Depth – As is the case with most mid-tier teams, depth is an immediate concern for this team. At full speed, the Cowboys are a test for most teams in the IQA. However, once its starters’ legs begin to tire, there is a considerable drop off in quality of play. Knowing this, its starting group will stay in games longer than it should and opponents will begin to capitalize on fast break opportunities.

Seeking – The flaw in using a non-seeker at the seeker position lies in the fact that fatigue can become an issue. Considering that OSU’s main seeker, Hayden Applebee, is a major contributor as a chaser, Applebee faces a distinct possibility of overuse and fatigue. Applebee’s seeking game involves bulldozing through snitches in concentrated bursts. While he picks his opportunities well, Applebee has shown that he will become fatigued and allow the opposing seeker plenty of opportunities at the snitch grab. This will not fly against elite seekers.

Standout Player
Mark Denker – On another team paired with equally competent beaters, Mark Denker would be regarded as a top regional beater. However, Denker often shoulders too much of the defensive and offensive burden for his team. He is often the last line of defense for the Cowboys and arguably their biggest contributor on offense. That’s strange to say, considering Denker will never score a goal as a result of his position. However, Denker can often be seen paving the way for his chasers to maraud their way towards the opposing hoops. If OSU is doing well, Denker is having a solid game.

Underrated Player
Hayden Applebee – Chaser Hayden Applebee is one of the key offensive contributors for this team. In addition to this, Applebee typically sets the tone defensively for the Cowboys by making crunching tackles that dissuade quite a few chasers from venturing towards the Oklahoma State hoops. Throw in his contributions as a seeker and Applebee is undoubtedly one of the crucial components for this squad.

Keys to Success
I’ll keep it relatively simple for this team: keep games close. OSU won’t be favored against either Boston University or Penn State University, but it has the potential to pull the upset against the latter team. If the game is in snitch range, look for Hayden Applebee to bull through snitches and seal a victory for his team.

Prediction
This team will face elimination in the play-in round of bracket play.

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Ottawa Maple Rush – Eastern Canada – Regional Finish: Semifinals
By Andy Marmer/IQA Correspondent

One of Canada’s newest teams, Ottawa Maple Rush, debuted this year and exceeded expectations in its first tournament, Trial by Fire. Composed of veterans from last year’s University of Ottawa team and newcomers, the Maple Rush qualified by advancing to the semifinals of the Canada Regional Championship.

Strengths
Quaffle Play – Maple Rush can hit opponent chaser lines with a variety of attacks. The team features both speedy and strong chaser lines and can switch between them as needed. While it relies on a few key players for offense, Maple Rush has a bunch of under-the-radar players who are capable of scoring when given the opportunity. The team loves to run and won’t pass on many opportunities to start a fast break, chances that will be created by the team’s strong quaffle defense.

Weakness
Beaters – To put the matter bluntly, Maple Rush’s beaters just aren’t on the same level as its chasers. Many of Maple Rush’s players are new to the game, so perhaps with more seasoning they will accumulate the skills needed to develop into strong beaters. However, with World Cup in just a few days, that progression isn’t going to happen for this year.

Standout Player
Jamie Lafrance – Jamie Lafrance is a physical keeper with a rugby background who has no problem running over, through or around defenders. Lafrance has a nose for the hoops, collecting goals like a ‘90s kid collects pogs or beanie babies. Defensively, Lafrance isn’t afraid to lay a hit. His size and rugby background ensure that opponents will remember those hits too.

Underrated Player
Brian Wong – Brian Wong complements Lafrance for Maple Rush. A speedy chaser, Wong relishes opportunities to get going on the fast break. In addition, Wong’s quickness allows him to get open near the hoops and finish plays, many of which are started by Lafrance. Bursting onto the scene this past winter at Snow Cup, Wong still flies under the radar internationally, especially once you consider what he means to this team.

Keys to Success
Maple Rush has the ability to score goals, but its defense is suspect. Its beaters will have to step up to help the quaffle players on defense and keep games within snitch range, and from there Maple Rush will be relying on its seekers to win games.

Prediction
Maple Rush has two guaranteed losses on its schedule to the University of California Los Angeles and Baylor University. To advance to pool play it’ll need to pull out victories in its other two contests. This will likely result in a winner-take-all matchup with the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I think Maple Rush can and will win that game but will falter in the play-in round on Sunday.

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Texas State University - Southwest - Regional Finish: 4th
By Beto Natera/IQA Southwest Correspondent

Criticized for not taking the leap into the elite of their region, the Bobcats of Texas State University solidified their place at the top of the second tier of Southwest teams with consistent performances throughout the season. A run to the semifinal of the Southwest Regional Championship ended with a forfeit to eventual champions Texas A&M University. While disappointing, the forfeit ensured Texas State would be able to head into World Cup VII with a relatively healthy roster. While the Bobcats haven’t demonstrated the ability to hang with the elite teams in their region, Texas State hopes to knock off a few out-of-region foes and highlight the strength of the Southwest.

Strengths
Chaser Defense – No team likes playing against Texas State. Simply put, it will hurt you. With a chaser line led by veterans Jordon Parisher and Eric Reyes, the Bobcats are physical at the point of attack and play with a nasty streak. Gritty and determined, Texas State makes teams earn every single point they put up on the board. The addition of players like Romie Loaf, Justin Lopez and Tyrell Williams gives this team chaser depth that it hasn’t had in years past.

Aggressive Beating – Beater Ryan Peavler personifies the attitude of this Bobcat squad: tough and relentless. His impressive stamina and underrated speed allow him to remain on the pitch for prolonged stretches of time. Scrappy beating partner Beth Clem forms the other half of a vastly underrated beating corps. Able to go blow-for-blow with top beaters like Mollie Lensing at Diamond Cup, the Texas State beating corps has demonstrated a marked improvement at every tournament this season. While their smash mouth approach to the beating game leaves them susceptible to cards, the Bobcats thrive when their beaters pave the way for star chaser Eric Reyes on offense.

Weaknesses
Seeking – Texas State runs a seeker rotation that includes a variety of players. While Reyes and Parisher are solid seekers when fresh, both players are heavy contributors in the chaser game. As a result, by the time the seeker floor is up, neither player is able to showcase the full extent of their abilities. Until Texas State is able to develop a dedicated seeker that allows Reyes and Parisher to focus on the chaser game, seeking will remain a weakness.

Female Depth – Outside of Beth Clem, Texas State lacks a consistent female contributor. While some of the female Bobcats have had good games during the season, they fade into the background against top opposition. This leaves Texas State with a difficult decision: do the Bobcats leave Clem in for the majority of a game and risk injury and fatigue or risk a drop off in performance from their substitutes?

Standout Player
Eric Reyes – A veritable stud in the chaser game, Reyes has long carried the Bobcat offense. Tied in my opinion with Louisiana State University’s Brad Armentor as the best at blocking bludgers with a quaffle in the game, Reyes has carved up the best defenses in the sport for two years now. While he no longer has to don his superhero cape as often as he did in the past, Reyes is still prone to undertake lung-bursting runs down the field, leaving entire defenses in his wake. While not the best defender, Reyes’ offensive contributions definitely compensate for his defensive limitations. He is one of the few chasers left in the sport capable of running a hero ball offense. If you get a chance, check this guy out in North Myrtle Beach.

Underrated Player
Justin Lopez – A definite candidate for most improved player in the region this season, chaser Justin Lopez is an unheralded but crucial member of Texas State. Vastly improved on the defensive side of the ball, Lopez is able to keep with all but the most athletic of opponents. Lopez is a fundamentally sound tackler. Once he wraps a player up, it is very difficult to break away. While his offensive game isn’t superb, Lopez is more than capable of picking his spots and capitalizing on his limited offensive opportunities.

Keys to Success
GET BUCKETS – Texas State isn’t used to games being within snitch range. It is either being blown out by the top four of its region or blowing everyone else out. As a result, the Bobcats haven’t had to develop much of a seeking game. This will most certainly hinder Texas State at World Cup. However, there is a very easy solution to this problem: GET BUCKETS. If Reyes and company can capitalize on a few scores and pull out of snitch range after the snitch returns to the field and the beaters divert their attention to the seeking game, Texas State’s chance at victory will obviously skyrocket.

Prediction
Sweet 16. It all depends on the brackets for this team. The elite teams in the nation will be pushed to the edge by Texas State, but I don’t see the Bobcats winning against my top six teams in the country (University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Lone Star Quidditch club, the Lost Boys, Boston University, Texas A&M University). However, any team other than those six, while possibly favored over the Bobcats, like the University of Miami, will have to play a great game to topple Texas State and send it home. I can see an Elite Eight run, but I feel as if the Sweet 16 is the right exit for this team.