Richmond, VA

Angel City sends New Hampshire into consolation bracket

By Megan Enemies

Angel City Derby Girls (#5, seed #1), of Los Angeles, California, went up against New Hampshire Roller Derby (#37, seed #9), of Nashua, New Hampshire, to finish day one of the WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Richmond. New Hampshire earned lead jammer status in several first-half jams, but in the second half, Angel City’s defense shut down New Hampshire jammers, holding them to two points total in 10 consecutive jams. The West Coast team defeated New Hampshire, 205-77.

In the first half, New Hampshire jammer Game Ovaries got lead in jam 2 and called it before Los Angeles could score. But in jam 3, Chicana Bruzya and a teammate both went to the box, and Angel City jammer Mikispeedia racked up an easy 18 points before heading to the penalty box on a misconduct call. The jam ended with a 22-5 Angel City advantage, but unopposed to start the next jam, Madame Scurrie picked up 10 points for New Hampshire. By the end of jam 6, New Hamsphire was only one point behind Los Angeles.

Although Angel City’s jammers went to the penalty box a handful of times in the first half, they were able to pick up more points when on the track with New Hampshire and excelled to a 30-point lead towards the end of the half. Angel City’s blockers were able to force New Hampshire’s jammers out and reverse, forcing the East Coast jammers to reenter the back sometimes half a lap back from where they went out of bounds.

The half ended with Angel City up 100-58 – New Hampshire still within striking distance of the top-seeded team. But New Hampshire lost momentum in the second half.

New Hampshire jammer Swirko cut the track immediately in the first jam of the second half, and L.A. outscored New Hampshire 10-2. After a short second jam, Swirko was standing, waiting to return to the track. She came back in jam 3 and picked up 10 points. But after that, New Hampshire was scoreless for five jams, holding at 70 points, as Angel City steadily increased its lead.

Chicana Bruzya scored two points for New Hampshire in jam 9, but then Angel City once again shut down New Hampshire offense, holding the team to 72 points for five jams.

Despite a penalty-heavy second half, Angel City kept increasing its lead. Many L.A. blockers went to the box, but L.A. seemed to be able to defend just as well with as short pack as it did with a full pack. New Hampshire’s jammers continued pushing hard against Angel City’s defenders, but they often couldn’t clear the front two or three blockers before L.A.’s jammer reentered the pack on a scoring pass.

Final Score

(1) Angel City Derby Girls 205
(9) New Hampshire Roller Derby 77

Angel City will play #4 seed Philadelphia Roller Girls at 2 p.m. Saturday. New Hampshire will continue to play in the consolation bracket.