2010 WFTDA North Central Playoffs Day 1 Recap

Upsets mark first day of Thunda on the Tundra

WFTDA tournament season started off with two upsets in the North Central Region Playoffs Sept. 10, 2010, as #2 seed Detroit Derby Girls were knocked out of contention and #9 seed Naptown Rollergirls bested a higher-ranked rival to advance in the tournament.

In the first bout of "Thunda on the Tundra" in Green Bay, WI, Naptown unleashed a first-half shutdown of the #8 Arch Rival Rollergirls. Despite a higher-scoring second half, Saint Louis' Arch Rivals were not able to make much of a dent in their 56-point halftime deficit. Indianapolis's Naptown took the game 119-70, advancing to face #1 seed Windy City Rollers later in the day.

Although they ran into consistent penalty trouble, with jammers frequently seated in the box,  Chicago's Windy City held off Naptown in their afternoon match-up, winning 177 to 85.

Photo by Bruce Berna

After handily beating #10 Omaha Roller Girls early in the day, Minnesota Roller Girls advanced to challenge #2 seed Detroit Derby Girls. After a slow start, Minnesota began closing the point spread and never looked back. They pulled into the lead early in the second half, ultimately winning 119 to 99 and advancing to Saturday's semifinals.

The night closed with a nail-biter, as #4 seed Cincinnati Roller Girls barely held off tournament hosts Brewcity Bruisers (#5) to advance to the next round of play. Also advancing to the next round are the Mad Rollin' Dolls, of Madison, WI.

Arch Rival, Naptown, Detroit, Brewcity and Minneapolis' North Star Roller Girls will continue tournament play in the "consolation" rounds, which are used to determine regional rankings.

North Central Playoffs Day 1 Results

• Naptown Rollergirls (#9) 119
  Arch Rival Roller Girls (#8) 70
  • Naptown advanced to play Windy City Rollers (#1), Arch Rival will play North Star Roller Girls Saturday
• Minnesota Roller Girls (#7) 144
  Omaha Roller Girls (#10) 44
  • Minnesota advanced to play Detroit Derby Girls (#2), Omaha will face the Brewcity Bruisers on Saturday
• Mad Rollin' Dolls (#3) 162
  North Star Roller Girls (#6) 73
  • Madison advances to play Minnesota Roller Girls (#7) in the semifinals Saturday, North Star will play Arch Rival Roller Girls (#8) Saturday 
• Windy City Rollers (#1) 177
  Naptown Rollergirls (#9) 85
  • Windy City will play the Cincinnati Roller Girls (#4) in the semifinals Saturday
• Minnesota Rollergirls (#7) 119
  Detroit Derby Girls (#2) 99
  • Minnesota will play the Mad Rollin' Dolls (#3) in the semifinals Saturday
• Cincinnati Roller Girls (#4) 145
  Brewcity Bruisers (#5) 138
  • Cincinnati will face #1 seed Windy City Rollers in the semifinals Saturday