Omaha, NE

By Vile Love It

The 10 Seed No Coast Derby Girls (#39) know a thing or two about momentum. They lost it during their first game against 7 Seed Helsinki Roller Derby (#25) and lost the game in the last jam. But they hauled it back over to their side of the track during their game against 5 Seed Windy City Rollers (#20) and, except for about five jams during the first period, kept a tight hold on it, riding it to a 211-point victory.

Photo by Danforth Johnson

Windy City has struggled throughout the 2015 season after losing several veteran team members this season including Jackie Daniels, Varla Vendetta and KonichiWOW. In addition, they lost Hoosier Mama from today’s game day roster due to a concussion she received in last night’s game against 4 Seed Montreal Roller Derby.

No Coast played some tough opponents this year including Arch Rival Roller Girls (#11) (lost 80-349), and Team United Women’s Roller Derby (#22) (lost 113-162 and 153-162).

Like their game against Montreal, Windy City struggled to make measureable offensive plays happen in the early part of the game. It took them 7 minutes before they got on the scoreboard when Killa Nois was able to put up 9 points. It was the boost of momentum that Windy City needed and they were able to win lead jam status in 5 out of the next 7 jams and pull to within 20 points. However, it was a shortlived run and No Coast won lead status in 10 out of the next 13 jams and was able to keep Windy City relatively scoreless up until halftime.

At the half No Coast held a 72-point lead over Windy City: 130-58.

Photo by Steve Jurkovic

Windy City’s jammers were unable to consistently break through No Coast’s defensive walls and their penalty count didn’t help. Windy City had 47 total penalties (14 jammer penalties) compared to No Coast’s 37 penalties (only 5 jammer penalties). Eleven of Windy’s jammer penalties came in the second half and No Coast’s jammers made quick work of their advantage, scoring 170 points in the second period.

In addition to lopsided penalties, No Coast won lead jam 64 percent of the time and was able to shut Windy City down throughout much of the game, particularly in the second period. Windy City’s jammers fell to the braced walls and recycling savvy of No Coast’s blockers and, even when they were able to break through, they were often denied on the scoreboard.

Windy City will go on to play 8 Seed Toronto Roller Derby (#32) for 9th place on Sunday morning and No Coast will take on 9 Seed Queen City Roller Girls (#33) today at 6 p.m. (CST) for a chance at playing in the 5th place game on Sunday.

FINAL SCORE

Windy City Rollers (#5) 88
No Coast Derby Girls (#10) 299