Photo by Alan Bloodgood
JUNE 10, 2024
By Marissa Kleckner
“BEAT NEW YORK, BEAT NEW YORK, BEAT NEW YORK”
This is what was chanted this Saturday by nearly 1,000 fans at Carlini Field as the DC Breeze were closing in on a rare victory over the New York Empire. The Breeze did not disappoint, defeating the Empire 16-14 for their first victory over New York since the 2021 season.
In an intense environment that was hyped up by the league and fans, head coach Lauren Boyle preached a championship mindset. Going into the matchup, the Breeze were focused on staying true to themselves and their team identity, not getting caught in the hype of the game.
“We have been working on a championship mindset individually and as a team,” Boyle said. “That mindset is who you are and not something that starts when the clock goes on”
Going into the game, the Breeze were able to do just this, sticking to their signature short pass offense and not scrambling to make big plays.
While both teams have historically strong D-lines, they each came into the matchup having struggled through the first part of the season. However, the Breeze were able to step up, set the tone of the game during the first possession, and put up one of their better games of the year with a 75% completion percentage.
DC began the game by forcing the Empire’s nearly four-minute opening possession to end in a turnover that they capitalized on, scoring the opening point on a quick pass from Thomas Edmonds (three assists, one block) to Cole Jurek (three assists, two goals).
The Breeze defense did not let up, getting a second turnover in the first quarter, leading to a point by Jeff Wodatch (one goal) to put the Breeze up 3-2. Early in the second quarter, they were able to force two turnovers in one point and score, pushing their advantage to 6-3.
Late in the second quarter, DC lost some momentum when New York brought the game back within one point, forcing and capitalizing on two blocks to make the score 6-5 and then tying it 7-7 late in the quarter. An interception with just over a minute left in the half gave the Empire a chance to take the lead for the first time in the game, but the Breeze D-line stepped up once again at the end of the half and stopped New York from scoring at the buzzer.
The Empire opened the third quarter with a point to go up 8-7, but DC was able to quickly answer, working their way down the field and drawing two fouls that led to an easy toss to Eliott Bonnet (three goals, one assist) in the end zone. Shortly after, a block by Jonny Malks (four assists, one goal) brought a much-needed momentum shift, as DC once again worked the disc down the field, ultimately scoring to retake the lead.
A block by Edmonds followed by a 67-yard huck down the field was reigned in by a skying Jurek, who quickly regained his balance and tossed a short pass to Charlie McCutcheon in the end zone for a seemingly easy score after Jurek's gravity-defying catch. The Breeze then found themselves leading by two with a score of 12-10 to end the quarter. In an attempt to respond, New York threw a huck down the field, which Bonnet was able to snag over the heads of three Empire players. This led to a momentum shift going into the fourth quarter.
DC was able to take the game by staying true to themselves and feeding off the crowd’s energy without getting lost in the hype surrounding the matchup.
The Breeze move into sole possession of second place in the East Division, a half-game back of the Boston Glory for first place. The team will travel north of the border to face off against the Toronto Rush on Saturday, June 14 and the Montreal Royal on Sunday, June 15. First pull is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Allan A. Lamport Stadium Saturday night and 1 p.m. from Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard Sunday afternoon.
