 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
2006-2007 Season Wrap-up The Portland Pounders wrapped up their most successful season yet with a third place finish at the 2007 USQRA Division I National Championships. The Pounders compiled a 23-9 record while playing an ambitious schedule that included some of the most competitive tournaments in North America. The team also had more participation than ever as 17 players suited up during the season and three more attended practices regularly. Three members of the team spent last summer training with Team USA in preparation for the 2006 World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. Seth McBride and Will Groulx made us proud as they helped Team USA recapture the gold medal defeating New Zealand in the championship game. Ed Suhr was the Assistant Coach and helped guide Team USA to a 17-0 record enroute to the championship. Portland opened the season in early November at the Best of the West Tournament in San Diego, California. The Pounders opened strong as they won their first three games by large margins before falling to the Canadian champion, BC Bandits, in the semi-final. The Pounders had to settle for a 12-point win over the hometown Sharp Edge to take third place in the tournament. Will Groulx made the All-Tournament Team as best 2.5. The Pounders traveled to Seattle in December for a one-day tournament with the Seattle Slam and BC Bandits. It was a great opportunity for the team to try some new lineups and get players some game experience. It was also good to see a resurgence of rugby in Seattle, which bodes well for the future. The Pounders took their longest trip of the season in January when they ventured to Tampa, Florida for the Coloplast International Tournament. Portland opened up against the 5th-ranked team in the country, the Hoveround Gunners from Sarasota, and scored a convincing twelve-point win. The Pounders then took on the 3rd ranked Texas Stampede and lost an exciting one-goal game 44-43. Portland was only able to manage one more victory at this highly competitive tournament and finished in sixth place. Steve Pate and Will Groulx were both named to the All-Tournament Team. The next tournament took the Pounders to Phoenix, Arizona for the Heat Rave. Portland struggled in its opening game before finally defeating the up-and-coming University of Arizona Wildcats, 45-43. The Pounders played the Denver Harlequins next and lost a hard fought, 37-35, game. Saturday night brought a matchup with the defending national champions, the Phoenix Heat. The Pounders fell behind early but fought back from a five-goal deficit in fourth quarter to force overtime. Unfortunately, Portland was unable to complete the comeback and lost to the Heat 49-48, in overtime. On Sunday Portland secured 3rd place in the tournament by defeating Sharp Edge, 53-45. In early March, Portland hosted the Pacific Sectional Championship at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, Washington. The Pounders opened the tournament strongly as they soundly defeated Seattle and Las Vegas in their first two games. Game three pitted the home team against the improving Northridge Knights from California. Northridge gave the Pounders all they could handle before Portland was able to close out the Knights, 41-37. Portland gave the hometown a treat as they cruised through their last two games to win the tournament with a 5-0 record. Three Pounders, Max Woodbury, Will Groulx and Ian Chan, represented Portland on the All-Tournament Team. The Pounders finished out the month of March by attending the Vancouver Invitational in Vancouver, BC. The Pounders won their first two games before losing to a talented Quebec team 47-39. In the tournament semifinals, Portland outraced the BC Bandits in a run and gun affair, 51-48, to earn another shot at Quebec in the finals. The Pounders played a solid, fundamental game enroute to a 44-41 upset of the Impact. Max Woodbury was selected best class 1.0 and the Pounders went home with their first Vancouver Invitational Tournament title. The USQRA National Championships were in Louisville, Kentucky. The Pounders went into the tournament as the fourth seed. In what would turn out to be one of the most balanced Nationals ever, Portland split its first two games to set up a showdown with the second seed Lakeshore Demolition. The Pounders came out strong and held a lead throughout the game, staving off a furious Lakeshore rally to earn their first national semifinals berth. Portland got off to a rough start in the semifinal and fell to eventual champion Denver. Portland closed out the tournament with a satisfying 51-45 victory over the Phoenix Heat to finish 3rd in the country. The Pounders had an excellent year on the court but they took many opportunities to make an impact elsewhere. Team members made appearances at middle schools, high schools and colleges to educate people about wheelchair sports and disability awareness. Some of the Pounders spent time mentoring other individuals with spinal cord injuries and visiting local hospitals to encourage people with new injuries. The Pounders would like to thank all of our sponsors for making this season possible. We would also like to express our gratitude to our families, friends and community members who came out and supported us throughout the year. Tournament Records |
||
|
