Chicago Invite Recap

The Hopkins HUrt Varsity Boys played in the Second Annual Chicago Invite this weekend. It was fun. The Chicago Invite, hosted by North Park University, was played at the Naperville Polo Fields in Plainfield IL. The HUrt boys started the weekend seeded 34th out of 48 open teams.

Saturday morning, we started off with a loss to North Park, the tourney hosts and overall #2 seed. A 13-7 loss greeted the HUrt boys, but we were not to be deterred. A quick discussion about zone offense and cupping between games got the kids on track and they came out firing. Game numero dos pitted Hopkins vs Darkwing of Loyola University (Chicago). HUrt got out to a fast start and hung on for a 13-10 "upset" (seeding-wise) victory. The boys then headed to their bye 1-1.

Game 3 of the afternoon was HUrt vs. Northern Iowa. In this game, we started a bit sluggish and found ourselves down a few early. HUrt could not get any consistency throughout this game, but got a clutch upwinder to tie the score 13-13 and win on universe point, 14-13. This game clinched HUrt's spot in the top 16, already a 18 place jump!

Last game of Saturday was vs Michigan St-B, which was won by Hopkins 13-4. This ended our Saturday at 3-1, moving up to the #2 seed out of our pool.

Sunday morning brought our first Championship bracket game vs. Gustavus and HUrt legend extraordinaire Gregg Milbrath. This was a hard-fought game and got a little chippy at times, but the noble warriors were able to prevail in the end 15-8. This was a great TEAM victory, as all players contributed. Mad Props to the second line for coming in and getting a key upwind break in the first half to extend our lead!

Now in the quarterfinals of this college tournament, HUrt was matched up against a highly skilled but undermanned Winona State Experience, led by another HUrt alumnus Pat Jensen. Winona's experienced and athletic cutters as well as excellent wind throwers overpowered the HUrt'ems for a 15-8 victory, ending Hopkins' championship dreams. Lesson learned here is that our team has much room for improvement in our conditioning, as well as our throws in the wind (keep em low!).

HUrt has one last game to attempt to tie for fifth place. Our opponent is UM-Duluth. The game is back and forth, tied in the second half, I believe, but Northern Lights makes a few more plays at the end and takes the victory, 13-10.

Overall, Hopkins HUrt goes 4-3 and finishes tied for 7th place (with the illustrious Northwestern Vomit Monkeys Alumni Team) in a 48 team college tourament. It was great to get outside and play this early in the spring, and our team will be better for it in the next month preparing for Paideia, Mudbath, and beyond.

Thanks again to parents Todd Leonard, Laura Fretland, and Sara Mekler for making the trip with our team, and to the board, especially Sheri and John Dailey, for making this weekend possible!

Go HUrt!