May 17, 2024
By Quincey McKeen
The Oakland Spider’s one-point game streak comes to an end (where their last several games have been decided by one point), after the Salt Lake Shred comes out on top, 25 to 19.
In the first quarter, both teams were feeling things out. The sun was shining and the breeze was breezing a comfortable 13 mph. Both teams opened with a hold before the Shred went on a run of three breaks in a row. Jonny Hoffman had a huge, shoulder-high bid to score and both teams showed off some impressive hucks. In the final point of the quarter, the Spiders scored, but a time-out call retracted their goal and they unable to score again post time-out.
The second quarter was very clean, as both the Spiders and the Shred worked it quickly down the field and scored. Each team managed to sneak in a break. For their break, the Shred capitalized on an overthrown huck from the Spiders. Kyle Weinberg had a massive huck to Chad Yorgason, who then threw to Tony Mounga. Mounga had to get on his horse and scored with a gargantuan bid. Speaking of horses, the commentators frequently referred to the Shred as horses, admiring their ability to just keep grinding through every point. The Spiders got their break after an impressive foot block and an aptly timed time-out call. With just 20 seconds left in the quarter, the Shred came out and worked it down the field, with zest! They squeaked in a score just as the time ran out, ending the half 14-10 for the Shred.
The third quarter began with a four-break run for the Shred. Matt Russnogle, aka Snog, had an impressive D and goal for the bookends. Eugene L’Heureux was on fire, playing close defense and catching tight throws for the score. The Spiders answer back with a few breaks of their own, including a super patient red-zone point where a big hammer throw finally brought home the goal. In their second break, the Spiders had another time-out call just before scoring, but were able to re-do the goal and get the point. And with 20 seconds left in the quarter, the Shred managed another zippy score, despite the Spider defenders hanging back to stop them.
The final quarter started with holds on both sides. Will Selfridge got to drive the bus, his classic goal celebration. And the Spiders had some great throws, including a lovely cross-field backhand out to space for a goal. The Shred broke twice followed by a Spider hold and two Spider breaks. A valiant final quarter from the Spiders, with them scoring the final three points of the game, was not enough to take out the Shred. Final score, 25-19 for the Shred. But they didn’t have long to celebrate their victory; the Shred caught a very early morning flight on Saturday to take on the Colorado Summit.
