Mary Gilmore, Staff Writer
SUNY Oneonta’s ultimate frisbee team (SOFA) attended the Batavia, New York D3 Men’s Conference Championships. They competed against other New York teams to try and win a bid to regionals.
At the very beginning of the tournament, it was obvious that SOFA would experience a disadvantage. While other teams had upwards of thirty members, Oneonta’s team had a simple thirteen players. Since seven people play on the field at a time, SOFA players would get very few breaks during the games, exerting more effort than any other team.
In the first game of the tournament, SOFA lost to Ithaca with a devastating score of 15-0. Captains Emmett Bird, Sami Ali, and Josh Hardesty gathered the team and offered words of encouragement before the next game against SUNY Geneseo. As this tournament marked Hardesty’s and Bird’s final one representing Oneonta, they reminded the team that college passes by quickly and encouraged everyone to give it their all.
While Bird couldn’t play in this tournament due to an injury, he still dressed up and showed up for the team. He rallied the players, making strategic moves and acting as a coach for SOFA. Even Captain Stephanie Gomez, who was unavailable due to undergoing an intense ACL surgery, sent her best wishes and words of encouragement from home.
The SUNY Geneseo game commenced, and tensions were high. Geneseo had 25 players who continually subbed out, which contrasted with the exhausted SOFA players. By halftime, Oneonta was losing.
Spirits were low, but the team leaders would not let SOFA lose without a fight. Hardesty advocated for players to keep their heads up, no matter what the outcome of the game was. Mia Cooper, community service chair for the team, helped to hype up the team with chants and cheers from the sidelines. Oneonta entered the next half of the game planning to hustle and work hard.
Oneonta showcased remarkable plays, but despite their efforts, they found themselves trailing 13-10. Geneseo was on the brink of victory as one more point by them would end the game. But, Oneonta refused to back down.
The intensity on the field surged as players, exhausted but fueled by adrenaline, gave their all. Oneonta scored once. Then again. And again. Suddenly, the score was tied.
The atmosphere was electric. SOFA was on edge, knowing the next point would determine the winner. As the point progressed, Ryan Farley was near the endzone and caught the disc by jumping above his opponent. Farley looked for a throw and saw Purdy open. Farley threw the disc, and Purdy dove to secure the game-winning point with an incredible catch.
The field was instantly filled with joyous chaos as SOFA stormed onto the grass to celebrate Purdy, who lay there triumphantly. Against all odds, Oneonta had defeated SUNY Geneseo 14-13.
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