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| Photo by Monica Wheeler |
Madness exploded at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports
Complex when the No. 34 seeded Louisiana State University (LSU) shocked
the No. 2 seeded the Lost Boys Quidditch Club 100*-90 in the Round of
32.
With the power of what seemed like the entire West Region
cheering on the Lost Boys, the first community team to ever win a North
American regional championship was tested by the resilient LSU beating
corps and star chaser Brad Armentor. Chris Seto, Michael Mohlman and
Peter Lee, considered to be the best beating corps in the country,
dueled with Jason Winn, Melissa White and Daniel DePaula, who brought a
heavy dose of physicality to the beater game. Tensions flared as Lee was
yellow carded for a hard hit that injured White. The LSU beaters opened
up the half court for Armentor, who repeatedly collided at full speed
with Lost Boys keeper Tony Rodriguez at the hoops and powered through
for goals. Rodriguez responded with goals and assists, pumping up the
strongly pro-Lost Boys crowd, but LSU forced the Lost Boys to play a
half court offense, preventing the Lost Boys from opening a lead through
dominant play in the transition game.
With the score tied at 50, Lost Boys chaser Vanessa Goh
took down Armentor at half court, forcing a fumble. Jake Tieman picked
up the quaffle and raced for a goal at the other end. Tieman added
another fast break goal on the next play for the Lost Boys to go up
70-50. After Missy Sponagle appeared to recover a missed LSU shot, a
scrum formed behind the hoops and players on both teams exchanged
shoves. LSU chaser Jordan Earls received a second yellow card and Lost
Boys chaser Mitch Cavender also received a yellow card.
Steve DiCarlo and Winn, who switched to seeker, pursued the
snitch, who raced around the edges of the pitch, avoiding lengthy
exchanges with the seekers. Beaters struggled to defend the mobile
snitch from the opposing seekers and there were several heart-wrenching
close attempts at snatches. Winn caught the snitch before a stunned
crowd, hoisting it above his head as the refs conferenced. Finally, the
catch was declared good and the Lost Boys, a tournament favorite, were
eliminated.
LSU advances to the Round of 16 where they will take on Texas State University.
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