They did it. The Minnesota Strike went undefeated and have earned a spot at Championship Weekend in Washington, D.C. from June 17 - 18.
For nearly two months, the Strike took on challenger after challenger, winning in a variety of ways. Their season started with a demanding double header road trip, where they beat Atlanta Soul and Nashville Nightshade. They faced New York Gridlock at home, forcing an overtime period and securing a win in dramatic fashion. They came back from early deficits, they held commanding leads, and they are ready for more.
By the Numbers
6: Games
6 Wins
98 goals and assists
69 scored against
27 Players, each contributing in their own way with a chance to shine in every game
0: losses
The Strike's 2023 season was vastly improved compared to 2022. With a few notable additions, particularly Robyn Fennig and Sarah Meckstroth, the team found early chemistry, confidence in themselves, and trust in one another. Every player contributed in big ways at different points in the season, which rounded out the team and enabled individuals to shine when they could without having to carry the team on their own. And if a particular player wasn't having the game they wanted to on any given night, they could rest assured that their teammates would pick them up and support them.
Talent and teamwork combined into the perfect recipe that pushed the Strike forward week after week. Offensive pillars like Fennig, Rachel Johnson, Carly Eckstrom, Gerene Taylor, and Alicia Carr moved the disc expertly around opposing defenses. The team faced a lot of challenging handler and cutter pressure, which forced handlers to be patient in the backfield, slowly working their way up before a cutter could find some open space. Downfield receivers like Nariah-Belle Sims, Danielle Byers, Sarah Meckstroth, and Steph Wood found room among defenders and enabled the disc to find its way into the end zone 98 times.
Watching the Strike play this season has been inspiring and awesome. Their confidence in finding receivers made for huge plays and exciting points. Defense forced opponents to constantly be on guard, letting no throw be guaranteed. The energy emitting from the Strike is palpable, their trust and confidence in one another is clear, and their pure talent and hard work with a disc in their hands should make any challenger shudder.
Looking Ahead: Championship Weekend
So far, DC Shadow and Raleigh Radiance are the only other teams to be announced who will be competing in the PUL’s Final Four. Minnesota will join them as the final Division representative, and a wild card spot is still open for the taking.
The Strike can’t slow down anytime soon, as both Shadow and Radiance have shown to be incredibly strong this season. No matter who they find themselves up against in a few weeks, they’ll have to pull out all the stops and keep playing the game they’ve been playing.
Where their strengths have been in 2023 that has led them to an undefeated season is primarily in their offense. However, it is difficult to go 6-0 by winning in the same fashion every time; it felt like every game for the Strike this season was won in different ways, giving them opportunities to use different tools they’ve had ready at every corner. Handler movement and patience was prevalent throughout the regular season, but cutters found creative ways to get open, and I would be remiss to forget about the defense’s ability to shut down opponents and get the disc back into their own hands.
This will be the Strike’s true strength when they step onto the Championship Weekend field. Their ability to adjust on the fly, switch strategies, and utilize every single player in various situations has rounded out the team and brought them to where they are now: undefeated.
Coverage of the Strike will continue through and beyond the PUL Championship Weekend. Stay tuned for interviews, recaps, and more. Kachow!
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