Fast Takes from Fast Break: BOS vs ROC

Week 3 of the MLQ season is upon us!

Boston Forge is one of two teams (the other being Austin Outlaws) that are making their season debut this weekend and what an eventful off-season it was for them. This Forge team has rebranded and this new team also looks like a roster that is ready for another deep run at Championships. This year, however, they’ll do it without the services of chasers Justin Cole and Bryan Mulcahy— both stalwarts in the Boston Quidditch scene the last few seasons. The addition of chaser Morgan Bertram (#47)— who is the best person to follow on twitter btw— will cover the loss of Cole and Mulcahy and boost a roster that was light on female chaser depth in 2019. Bertram’s ability to be in the right position at all times and an incredibly physical defender will add another weapon to this Boston team.

Any time we talk about a Boston team, the conversation always turns to the beater depth that they boast. This 2021 Forge rendition is no different— the return of Lulu Xu (#15)/Max Havlin (#14) pair and Leeanne Dillman (#61)/Mario Nasta (#5) pair leaves this beater depth already amongst the best in the nation. Continuing to bolster the depth with utility player Ashley Dolan (#11), USNTDA Serena Monteiro (#67), MLQ debut of MQC D2 Player of the Year Tom Demouth (#52), as well as experienced players Kieran Collier (#9) and Erin McCrady (#6), will be an explosive amount of experience in every minute of the game that all teams should be envious of. I think the most fascinating beater pair for this Boston team (or at least the one I want to see the most) could end up being Monteiro and DeMouth. Both known for their accuracy, strong arms and ability to make the right play— this pairing could represent the future for Boston. 

Much of the core of this championship team has returned and the leadership of Teddy Costa (#00) will help this Boston quaffle game pick right back up with the 3rd best scoring offense in 2019 (131.7 QPF/G). However, the aforementioned loss of two of their best chasers will leave a void that will have to be filled. Will they be able to replace Mulcahy’s elite point defense or the impeccable cutting ability of Cole? 

Rochester is coming off a 1-5 win/loss record from their opening weekend. Don’t be quick to write them off though, as the record doesn’t actually paint the full story for this young and gritty Rochester team. Even with only a few weeks of practice under their belt, they were able to stay competitive and hold their own against two teams that were expected to run the floor with them. As much as people expected these games to be easy for the New York Titans and Charlotte Aviators, they weren’t. There were so many young quaffle players for Rochester that stepped up and showed potential that will make this team a tough battle against any MLQ team. Cody Keefer (#21) and his flexibility to step in as a high level beater, point defender and seeker were all on display opening weekend of this season and will have to be a huge part of this Rochester season. The biggest storyline of the weekend, though, was the championship level play of Emily Hickmott (#8). In the minutes she played, she was able to lock down the defense for Rochester providing a defensive anchor who was everywhere making plays. Her SOP beating was dominant and will continue to be a huge part of Rochester’s seekers, including breakout star Kit Powpour (#25), clinching catches and keeping their team in the game. Shining at both seeker and chaser, Powpour was one of many young collegiate players making the jump to MLQ this season while Mitch Vargas (#20), Jack Moseley (#18) and Jacob Lin (#50) all provided hustle and energy to this Rochester team.

As of right now, the coaching impact that Sollie Gominak (#56, HC) and Alyssa Giarosso (#47, AC) has had on this team is very prevalent. Rochester was not seen as a true contender coming into this season, but with a team filled with young and hungry players this is a team that will continue to be a matchup people want to avoid if they can earn a bid to MLQ championships. Their competitive ability relies heavily on the younger players continuing to learn but they still have the reliable 2018 East MVP Basem Ashkar (#12) coming out to remind everyone why he’s a USQ national champion. Ashkar serves as the heart and soul of this quaffle game for Rochester and they will go as far as he can take them (similar to another championship run... but I digress). Continuing through strong forces on this team, the emergence of Tommy O'Connor (#55) and his ability to step up and take the reins of this offense with a new level of comfort let him run the quaffle line at a high level just a few weeks of practice in post-COVID. 

Both of these teams are filled with exciting young talent and the future/potential of the players they will showcase tomorrow will be a great watch. While Rochester was able to play extremely competitive against Charlotte and New York- both of those teams don't have the Team USA caliber beater depth that Boston offers. As much as I love this Rochester team and the story they can create for themselves— I don't know that Hickmott, Keefer and Gominiak will be able to handle the number of beater pairs that will be thrown their way. If this Rochester team wins any game, it’ll have to be Game 1 in hopes of catching this Forge team still rusty after 18 months of no quidditch. As the night moves on though, and Forge finds their rhythm, I think Forge is strictly in the running for the top seed in the East.

Prediction: 3-0 Boston