Archive: Sports

Saturday, October 10, 2009 -- The SufferJets closed out the ’09 season with a 140 to 101 win against Greater Toronto’s Derby Debutantes, Saturday at Cass Park. Ithaca’s second International bout was characterized by hard hitting, a fast pack, and explosive skating by Jammers on both teams. The SufferJets’ opening lineup included Chairman Meow at Pivot; Summer Bludgeoned, at Jammer; Snarl Marx, Inside Blocker; Golden Diapers, Outside Blocker; and Amber Chaos, Back Blocker.  

Toronto established a slim lead early in the bout, but fell behind 27 to 21 after a successful jam by number 7-11, CamArrow. Despite frequent penalties, some of which left Ithaca with only two or three skaters on the track, Toronto never caught up. Lead Jammer, Sarabellum, closed out the first period with the SufferJets ahead 66 to 49.   

The second period showed blazing fast skating with fierce hits all over the track. Both teams accumulated 24 Major Penalties; one Toronto player was ejected. The record crowd at Cass Park cheered as Summer Bludgeoned whipped ahead of the pack time and time again. Other highlights included Sarabellum, weaving through Toronto players with the agility of a running back on skates; and Golden Diapers, racing onto the track from the penalty box. After fending off some crushing hits from Toronto, she closed out the game with a show of her fancy gilded namesake.  

After the bout, both teams enjoyed a few celebratory laps around the track to the chorus of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, played by the Ithaca High School Pep Band. The SufferJet’s Jeerleaders beat drums and formed primitive, albeit inspiring human pyramids. And the crowd showed its sincere gratitude to a group of women athletes -- who have given to us what just might be Ithaca’s most spectacular and enjoyable sporting ever.  

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