Fast Takes from Fast Break: INDY vs MPLS
Get ready for a seriously exciting series of the week! This matchup will feature the strongest teams in the North division with both the Indianapolis Intensity and the Minneapolis Monarchs coming off of series-sweeps of their opponents from previous weekends. This three-game series will make or break these team’s chances at a North division title. With so much on the line, will the Monarchs be able to #RiseUp to meet the defending 2019 North division champions, or will Indianapolis claim their crown for the fifth time? Each team relies on a pass-heavy offense--could the pressure from Indy’s supremely physical defensive threats such as Nathan Digmann and Nick Kaufman be enough to shake the Monarch’s composure? Or will the speed and chemistry (their ability to find their teammates anywhere for a pass is INSANE) between the Monarch’s primary line of Max Meier, Alex “OB” Obanor, Emma Persons, and Henry “HBB” Baer-Benson give the Monarchs the edge they need to take down the Intensity?
From current season scores, over three games, both the Intensity and the Monarchs have averaged just over 12 quaffle points per game. It’s clear that both teams have some serious scoring threats such as Max Meier and Emma Persons from Minneapolis and Nathan Digmann from Indianapolis. The Monarch’s scoring ability and grit truly shone through in their second game against Detroit where they came from behind a 30 quaffle point deficit and a snitch catch from the opposing team to still clinch the win. Minneapolis’ quaffle lines were incredibly persistent-- their hustle on offense to recover shots allowed them multiple opportunities as they tried to penetrate the Detroit defense. If each game is coming down to a ‘next goal wins’ scenario, my money's on the Monarchs to come out on top, even if Indianapolis is intent on keeping their #double ii’s on the prize.
These games will likely be very close in quaffle points which makes the snitch-on-pitch (SOP) time extremely important. If we’ve learned anything from these first few weekends of MLQ games, it’s that catching the snitch is very important. Those 35 points are no joke; for the leading team to have to score only three goals instead of six makes an incredible difference, especially as players get tired as game time wears on. Smart teams will dedicate their beater pairs to defending their seeker. Indianapolis found great success during SOP beating using the fast and physical duo of Tad Walters and Tim Kwan. This weekend, however, Walters is noticeably absent from the Intensity roster which will undoubtedly be a blow to their beating game. However, speed and strength aren’t necessarily the end-all-be-all of SOP beating. Nicole Nelson and Sean Pagoada from Minneapolis are an extremely smart and field-aware beating pair that rely on their brains just as much as their arms to dominate the pitch.
While both team’s beaters will be hard at work during SOP, be sure to pay attention to the seeker game as well. The Monarch’s main seekers are younger players, Joe Goulet (rising Creighton junior) and HBB (rising Tufts senior) but have proven that they are just as much of a threat in the college game as they are at the MLQ level. On the other hand, Intensity has found success with more veteran seekers such as Jeff Siwek and Matt Melton as well as their team’s strategy of quickly subbing multiple seekers to get a variety of well-rested matchups against the snitch. With Joe Goulet and HBB also being key components to the Monarch’s quaffle lines, the Monarchs will have to make some tough decisions as to where to best utilize these players during SOP.
You’ve already read his name multiple times, but if you’re looking for a player to watch, Henry Baer-Benson from the Monarchs is one to keep your eye on. An extreme double-threat as a keeper and seeker, HBB had an absolute standout performance in his first-ever MLQ games. He shone as the Monarch’s starting keeper, one of the leading scorers for his team and he still had enough gas in the tank to complete two snitch-catches. HBB represents a really strong future for the Monarch’s franchise #RiseUp.
No matter the outcome, these will be exciting games to watch with lots of fast-paced play, exciting seeker-snitch matchups, and smart beater interactions. Be sure to tune in to this featured series on the MLQ Facebook and YouTube pages!
Prediction: Intensity 2-1
