The fifth and final round of pool D’s pool play featured number 4 seed UBC versus number 5 seed Harvard. This game would determine which team would have a bye in to quarter finals and which would have to battle through pre quarters. When the first pull went up it was apparent Harvard was ready to play. On the flip side, UBC did not start out quite as well, and a sloppy throw allowed Harvard to score the first point. UBC quickly snapped into focus and traded points with Harvard until a monster D by Harvard’s Devon Williams allowed Wes Mann to sprint down field and come down with it just inside of their end zone. Harvard up 6-5. The Thunderbirds made an attempt to shut Harvard’s quick offense down with a loose three man zone, but it was not enough to stop Red Line from taking half 8-5.
Both teams played with great intensity, and there were huge bids from each side. One player worth mentioning is Callahan winner George Stubbs. Stubbs played great all game while displaying his great leadership as well as his skills as a handler. His throws were perfect, and he never made his fellow players run down a stray disc.
UBC started the second half receiving the disc. Thunderbird MVP Aaron Liu dished it back and forth between his fellow handlers, and finally put in the goal. UBC went on and earned several more breaks putting them ahead for the first time all game at 10-9. When the hard cap came on it was game to 14, with UBC ahead 13-12. A huge snag by Harvard’s Chris Behrer kept Red Line’s drive alive and Andrew Vogt connected with Whitt Virgin-Downey to make it universe point. UBC received the disc and was eager to put in the final goal and win the game. It appeared that all hope for Harvard was lost, but George Stubbs single handedly changed the game with a magnificent D, and a great throw to a streaking Devon Williams to give Harvard the win. In a game where each team was able to move the disc and was very rarely shut down, it was Harvard’s smart decision making and big players are what earned them the game.
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