Richmond, VA

Philly earns a trip to championships by defeating #1 seed Angel City

By Megan Enemies

Philly Roller Girls, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (#14, seed #4) defeated Angel City Derby Girls (#5, seed #1), of Los Angeles, California, earning a ticket to the first place game of the WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Richmond and the WFTDA Division 1 Championships. The game started out neck-and-neck, but Philly was able to hold onto and early lead and capitalize on power jams to win the game, 263-157.

In the first half, Philly got lead jammer 16 times, while L.A. earned lead only eight times. Penalties were about even for both teams, but Philly jammers VanEssa “V-Diva” Sites, Devoida Mercy, Clam Jammer and Antidote all put points on the board, whereas just three of Angel City’s five primary jammers scored.

Jennifer M. Ramos

Sites was able to make her way through Angel City’s defense without much difficulty, with Angel City blockers bouncing off of her and failing to stop her. Philly earned lead in five consecutive jams in the first half, with Sites ending that trend at the close of jam 22. Angel City’s coaches asked for an official review, claiming Sites had committed a back block at the beginning of jam 22. The officiating crew sided with Los Angeles, and Sites went to the penalty box, giving L.A. a power start advantage in the next jam.

Chris Dobbins capitalized on the power jam, picking up 20 points for L.A. to end the half at 118-80, in favor of Philly.

In the second half, Philly held Angel City to 83 points for four jams while scoring 29 points. But a back block by the Antidote at the end of jam 5 allowed Chica Go Lightning to jam unopposed in jam 6 and put points on the board.

Chris Dobbins faced off against Devoida Mercy in jam 4, and Dobbins went to the box on a track cut. Philadelphia slowed the pack down, so Devoida Mercy could push through the Angel City wall up front, and in a confusing call, the outside pack referee attempted to send Devoida Mercy to the penalty box for track cut. Philly’s jammer ref called her back onto the track, and the jam ended with a 147-99 advantage for Philly.

Dobbins went to the box again in jam 7 on a low block call – which Angel City challenged unsuccessfully. The officials rules Dobbins didn’t fall small and allowed the call to stand. Angel City’s jammers continued to have penalty trouble in the second half, allowing Philly to continue running up the score and come out on top.

Final Score

(4) Philly Roller Girls 263
(1) Angel City Derby Girls 157

Philly will play in the first place bout at 6 p.m. Sunday. Angel City will fight for third place and the final WFTDA Championships slot from this tournament at 4 p.m. Sunday.