Columbia, SC

By Lexistential Crisis

Game 12 of the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia determined that Denver Roller Derby (seed #3) of Denver, Colorado, USA, will be going to the 2016 International WFTDA Championships in November. Denver picked up the 211-153 victory over the Jacksonville Rollergirls (seed #2) of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, which will have a chance to earn a place at Championships in Sunday’s Third Place playoff game.

Photo by Tom Iacuzio

A few high-scoring jams helped Denver gain and maintain a lead, despite Jacksonville’s higher lead jammer status percentage and increased scoring in the second half. Consistent offense by Denver’s blockers allowed their jammers to easily find holes in Jacksonville’s defense throughout the whole game.

For the first 20 minutes of the game Jacksonville and Denver traded lead jammer status and there were five lead changes. Jacksonville earned lead in the first four jams and earned 22 points while holding Denver scoreless. Gypin responded by scoring 32 points in Jam 5 and taking the lead for Denver. Snot Rocket Science helped Jacksonville catch up halfway through the period and gave her team a one-point lead. After trading points for two jams, Denver established a larger lead with another 32-point jam. In the final 10 minutes of the half Denver continued to build on that lead. Akers helped her jammers fly through the Jacksonville walls with well-timed offense while Anghel, Goings, Barrett, and S.H. Long consistently held back Jacksonville’s jammers. Gypin ended the half with another large jam of 22 points to bring Denver’s lead to 70 with a halftime score of 132-62.

Photo by Louis E. Keiner

Denver maintained their lead throughout the second half despite being outscored by Jacksonville 91-79. Small gains helped Denver keep their distance from Jacksonville during the first part of the second half. With 17 minutes left in the game, Jacksonville’s jammers started a trend of earning lead status. For six jams in a row Jamsterella, Krispy Kreme-Her, and Snot Rocket Science took turns earning lead while their teammates prevented Denver’s jammers from scoring. Their efforts decreased Denver’s lead from a high of 92 points down to 35 with five minutes left to play. In the final two jams, Denver earned lead and stayed out of the penalty box to grow their lead and guarantee a spot at November’s WFTDA Championships in Portland.

Denver’s Wilhelm was the top scorer of the game with 85 points. Jacksonville’s Jamsterella led her team with 66 points.

Denver will play in the Columbia playoffs championship game against Rose City at 6 p.m. EST on Sunday. Jacksonville will play the Atlanta Rollergirls (seed #4) for third place at 4 p.m. EST on Sunday.

Final Score

Jacksonville RollerGirls (#2) 153
Denver Roller Derby (#3) 211