Two weeks ago, the San Diego Growlers made program history by winning the West division and making it to the playoffs for the first time ever. Now, this Saturday, they’ll have to defend the title in their first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Aviators. San Diego will be looking to earn their spot at Championship weekend later in the month, where they’ll face off against the best teams from across the nation. They can’t set their sights that far ahead, though. First, they’ll need to take down L.A. on their home fields.
To say that this game is a grudge match would be an understatement. This will be the 5th time this season the two teams will face off against each other, with the Growlers holding a 3-1 lead in the series. Against any other team, that would be an encouraging sign for the Growlers, but L.A. is one of only two teams that has been able to beat them this year, and has a penchant for close games no matter the outcome. Three of the four games in the series were decided by two points or less. This weekend’s game should prove to be no different.
One of the reasons these games remain so tight is that the Aviators match up really well against the Growlers. On offense, L.A.’s Tyler Bacon, Sean McDougall, and Danny Landesman have given San Diego trouble all season. Those three players alone combine for an average of 11 goals and 6 assists per game against San Diego. Defensively, L.A. has been able to match San Diego’s size, and have put pressure on the Growlers like few teams can. Another reason these games stay close is that the two teams play a very similar style of ultimate. Most of the players on either roster have been on the same team at some point in the past, and know each other’s preferences. They can’t trick each other out when they’re so familiar with each other’s players, schemes, and strategy.
The good news for San Diego is that they get to play on their home turf, and have the crowd behind them, along with their history of wins against the Aviators. Jonathan ‘Goose’ Helton always performs well in front of a crowd, as does Travis Dunn and Sean Ham. And while those three have been putting up all-star caliber stats all season, they’ll perform well no matter the circumstances. Still, it’s San Diego’s backfield that will feel the most pressure. Tim Okita and Michael Tran have been holding it down for the Growlers all year, but when the lefty-righty pair have an off game, it can greatly change the speed at which the team can play.
If things go San Diego’s way, they won’t have to play much offense. Defensive pressure has been the Growler’s calling card all year, with standouts like Will Turner, Scott Radlauer, and Steven Milardovich being the scourge of the West division. Unless injuries get in their way, San Diego’s defense will be the key to this game.
There’s a lot at stake with this game. Championship Weekend looms large, and it would be the Growlers first chance at testing themselves against the rest of the nation’s best. They’ll need all the support they can get to help them make it past Los Angeles. The game starts at 7pm PST in Pacific Beach at Mission Bay High School. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.
