Will Orton, and Brian Smith.  IPA’s beaters held Bludger control for most of the game, and Chasers Derik Wagner and Jeremy Work took full advantage in moving up the pitch to score.  Seeker Jack Martin ended the game with a Snitch catch in his first ever Quidditch game, ending the game with a score of 150*-40 IPA.

 

 

 

 

For the second game, the Ridgebacks increased the intensity of their offense, but were unable to break through IPA’s players, who held off URI with great skill.  India Point’s Beaters gained even greater momentum during this game, making many effective Beats to hold off the URI chasers.  Even when they didn’t have Bludger control, they still made a formidable defense.  Meanwhile, IPA’s chasers found many scoring opportunities on the other side of the pitch.  On one such play, Keeper Amanda Richards took the ball down the pitch and set up the play for Chaser David Reich, who was waiting by the hoops for an easy score.  By the time the snitch reappeared on the field, IPA had opened up a significant lead.  Once again, Martin caught the Snitch to end the game, with a final score of 130*-30 IPA.

 

The third game featured even more opportunities for IPA’s chasers to score.  They quickly opened up a significant lead in an attempt to end the day with a perfect record.  Wagner literally led the charge with a goal on Brooms Up and three more as the Ashwinders raced to a 50-0 lead in just a few minutes.  He added three more during the rest of the game, finishing with a career high seven goals.  The rookie Chasers had their best game of the season as well, combining for five goals collectively.  On their own end of the pitch, attentive keeping by Nick O’Mara prevented URI from finding similar chances.  When URI was unable to close the score gap, their Seeker caught the snitch, ending the game with a score of 160-60* IPA.

 

The principle reason for the tremendous bounce-back was the Beater play.  They made fantastic plays all day with timely Beats when they didn’t have control or had little Chaser support.  Further, they have come a long way since last year in gaining back Bludger control.  Two notable plays were a juggling catch by Hasbun that protected the Quaffle and a last second dodge by Orton deep in URI territory that sent the Bludger hurtling to IPA’s zone.  Lastly, a strength of the team’s all season has been starting Beaters Carchedi and Orton on Brooms Up and that continued Sunday.  Rarely have the Ashwinders started the game without Bludger control.

 

IPA’s rookie Quaffle-players had by far their best day of the year.  Reich and Leah Jones scored the first goals of their careers and added a couple of nice assists.  Tyler Poole had three goals and the best tackle in India Point’s history.  O’Mara and Richards had a great day moving the offense and setting up scoring opportunities.

 

Chaser Jeremy Work surpassed Dave Kelvey’s record for most goals in a season with 42.

 

Next Sunday, the Ashwinders head to Cambridge to face the Harvard Horntails.