Six consecutive wins crescendoed to a Championship Weekend appearance for the Minnesota Strike in 2023, a season that seemed destined for the history books from the start. Without a single regular season loss, the Strike valiantly traveled to Washington, D.C. to take on the PUL’s best in single-elimination format. Unfortunately, the streak had to end somewhere, and it took the team traveling across the country for that to happen.
But it wasn’t for nothing. The 2023 Strike season was special. Minnesota’s professional ultimate team rose up from the ashes of a less-than-ideal 2022 and showed the league and the country what they’re capable of. And now, coming off a perfect regular season, with playoff experience under their belts and vengeance in their eyes, the Minnesota Strike are ready to do it all over again, only this time, better.
Finding the Right Formula
The makeup of the ‘24 Strike is fairly consistent with last season, but the turnover is just significant enough that it will be a driving factor of this season’s success.
One of the most notable changes is the coaching staff.
“In practice we’re mostly working on getting everyone on the same page,” said Strike’s new head coach, Donnie Wood. “Players are coming from different systems on their club teams, and with everyone being so capable, it’s more about learning how to play together during this sprint of a short season.”
Five new coaches will be slotting into major decision-making roles for the team this season, which is perhaps the most uncertain yet promising new start a team could ask for? (Trying to be optimistic here!) The capable crew consists of experienced ultimate veterans, including Donnie Wood as the head coach, Dooby Helm and Genghis Philip as assistant coaches, and Robin Kunze and Bridget Daniels joining as coaching consultants.
Wood and the rest of the staff have hit the ground running with their team:
“As a coaching staff, we’re still figuring it out,” he said. “None of us have coached at the semi-pro level and while we’re confident in our knowledge of the game and interpersonal management skills as coaches, we know we have a lot to learn. We definitely have an appreciation for what Strike achieved in the 2023 season and know we’re sort of standing on the shoulders of giants (shout out to Carlos and Pat).”
Taking to the Turf
Along with the new coaching staff, the Strike are adding a few new faces (and saying goodbye to a few familiar faces… for now, hopefully!).
First off, Robyn Fennig and Nariah-Bell Sims are both bowing out of the 2024 PUL season. Of course, this is a huge loss for the team, as both of them ignited the group with deft disc handling, huge plays, and contagious personalities that pumped up their teammates and powered through even the toughest of challenges.
One of the biggest drivers of success for the Strike last year was simply their chemistry. On all sides of the disc, every member of the team knew what their role was and how to contribute to help the team win. Week after week, it seemed like different players stepped up and had a moment to shine; the 2023 Strike were well-balanced and selfless.
If the Strike expect to take their division and make it back to Championship Weekend this year, they’ll likely need to take a similar approach. Their offense will look to keep up the incredible momentum built last year, finding open lanes and utilizing each player based on the team’s need at the moment. Adaptability and versatility were the keys to Minnesota’s offensive success. Without Fennig or Sims, a few other key players will likely be stepping up to keep this going.
It makes sense to expect some of the well-established Strike players filling these roles. Sarah Meckstroth, Danielle Byers, and Rachel Johnson immediately come to mind as offensive powerhouses who players can look to for guidance, confidence, and the right play call at the right time.
These anchors will be supported by an ensemble of strong Strike players who proved to be invaluable last year on offense. There is one player in particular, however, who is donning a Strike jersey for the first time but is by no means a rookie to the league or the sport: Julia Hill.
“Julia has a nonstop motor and is an absolute grinder,” said her coach. “When her matchup is keeled over sucking wind, she’s just gotten warmed up and is ready for a 5k. Athleticism aside, her experience with Indy Red is great to bring onboard. Being mindful of the clock is an adjustment for players and since Julia has that experience already, she’s ready to hit the ground running.”
Look for how the coaching staff uses Hill this season, and how her role may develop over time. It will be interesting to see if they build offenses around her or if she is used a bit more creatively. The talent she brings to this lineup will certainly help augment what the team has already established and are looking to keep building upon.
Keeping Up With Opponents
Lastly, I think it is important to remember that the Strike are not without their flaws. There were moments last year that their opponents seemed to take advantage of; moments of faltering endurance and trouble keeping the disc. Physical endurance is one thing, and one that should not be minimized by any means in this sport. Muscle fatigue and cardio conditioning can sometimes be the difference in the outcome of a game, and it did seem to play as a factor in some of the Strike’s closer games (and their single loss) last season.
But what is equally as important and as interesting, I think, is the mental endurance and fortitude required to stretch out long points, force and keep turnovers, and bounce back from adversity. In order for the Strike to truly be a force to be reckoned with, they need to maintain this key element to their game.
In games where a single break point can solidify a win or loss, the team will need to be hyper-vigilant and preserving. I’m reminded of the Drag’n Thrust Pro Championships Game in 2022, where the team (spoiler alert) came back from an 8-2 deficit to eventually win on Universe Point. That team, nearly half of which was made up of current Strike players, is the epitome of endurance and perseverance in the game.
Miraculous comebacks are one thing, but I think the Strike have an untapped potential that can give them the edge on any opponent regardless of the current score. If they can continue to sweat out longer points and not let turnovers keep them down, then their ceiling is going to be incredibly high this year.
The Road Begins Here
It won’t necessarily take another perfect season for the Strike to cement their name among the PUL’s best. Legendary streaks like that (seem to) only come once in a lifetime. What it will take, however, is enduring grittiness, a refreshed roster (and coaching staff!), and the ability to take a hit without getting knocked out in order to make it back to Championship Weekend in 2024. The new season is knocking on the door, and the Strike know it’s their turn this year.
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