Horsecows Open Season in Impressive Manner

As Add/Drop approached and the collective glare from first-years' shining morning faces began to fade, the long season began for the Oberlin Flying Horsecows ultimate frisbee team. On the weekend of Sept. 16 and 17, the 'Cows began the journey to greater glory at Club Sectionals in Versailles, Ohio. Facing tough competition from both veteran club teams and modified collections of rival college foes like Ohio and Dayton Universitites, Oberlin knew from the start that they faced no easy task.

An unusually large squad of 26 players formed two teams, one comprised of mostly upperclassmen and the other ‹ calling themselves the Flaming Rainbow ‹ mostly first-years. The Rainbow, coached by "Dange''' Paul Pitcher (OC '00), was able to put forth some strong play and beat Wooster 8-6 on the second day of competition, in addition to some impressive work against sectional powerhouse Heartland.

The 'Cows, seeded second in their pool behind Cleveland team Cuyahoga Sheet Metal, opened against the fourth-seeded Karma Tsunami. A chilly day in Versailles saw sloppy play early on both sides, including a seemingly-endless first point. Though the game remained tight, the play improved only slightly as the game progressed, and the time cap went on shortly after the half. The collective rust from several months without tournament play proved too much for the 'Cows, however, and they fell 10-9.

For their first taste of competition against a nearby college team, the Horsecows then played Denison. DFUC, though they definitely earned fashion points for their several players in kilts, were unable to put together enough actual points, and Oberlin overcame an early deficit for an easy 15-8 victory.

For their final game of pool play, Oberlin faced off against the first seed in their pool, Mad Cows, a team of Ohio State players past and present. Though initially intimidated, Oberlin was able to come back and put together a very competitive game, in a fast-paced and physical contest on both sides of the disc. Mad Cows, however, were able to put together a several-point run late in the second half and took the victory 15-11.

That left the 'Cows out in the cold ‹ or so they thought. While the original plan was to have the top eight teams (top two from each pool) play for the four spots at Club Regionals, a captains' meeting decided that it would be a pool of the top 12, which meant the Horsecows still had a chance to qualify for the first time ever. To do it, they would first have to get past Sheet Metal, featuring the talents of Smiley "Andrew McCormack" (OC '98) No simple task.

Though not physically exhausted after only three games and plenty of rest since the last contest, Oberlin came out as mentally flat as week-old Sprite and were never able to put together a real run against Sheet Metal. And so it was for the 'Cows, off to find food, lodging and warmth for the night before the following day's action.

Oberlin arrived at the fields early, as usual, and put on a blistering defensive performance against Age Against the Machine, demolishing them 15-0. Well, not really‹Age never showed up and the Horsecows won by forfeit. But that woulda been cool though, huh?

Their second/first game of the day pitted them against a shorthanded Cincinnati club team, and again the 'Cows came out slow, taking half only 8-6. Following inspirational halftime words from senior co-captain Kristian Whitsett, (back after a year away), the Horsecows put on a truly intense performance in the second half, not allowing a single score and winning 15-6.

At that point, however, it was no longer possible for Oberlin to advance, and the 'Cows played a friendly game against longtime friendly rivals Ohio University, and a half-game against Sheet Metal. It was fun.

And so, as the sun set on Versailles, the exhausted Horsecows and Rainbow headed back to Oberlin, heads high and spirits confident for the long road ahead. Oberlin next plays at the Best of the Midwest tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan Oct. 7 and 8, where they get the first taste of archrival Michigan. Moo, damnit, moo.