The primary travel squad of St. Louis-based Arch Rival Roller Girls (ARRG) looks to keep its current unblemished mark intact this weekend at home against another undefeated league.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The ARRG All-Stars, currently ranked #20 internationally by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), hosts unranked Des Moines United Roller Derby this Saturday at Midwest Sport Hockey in Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO.) First whistle blows at 6:30 p.m.
Since the launch of its travel team season, Arch Rival (4-0) has certainly made waves within the derby community with dominant victories over comparable WFTDA Division 1 squads. After posting a 309-point win over #41 Nashville in March, the ARRG All-Stars collected a three-game sweep at April’s “Skate To Thrill” invitational in St. Charles. Triumphs over #28 Arizona, #30 Naptown and #42 No Coast saw the locals collectively outscore their opponents, 1071-240.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
At this stage of the season, optimism is high because of the many layers of depth this squad possesses. Jammers Brickyard, Bricktator, Mighty Mighty Boston and Annie Swanson have each posted high individual scoring outputs. Even better, in each of the four contests this season, a different skater has topped the ledger in points. A possible jamming layer this weekend could be added with recent transfer Harmony Killerbruise from the Minnesota Rollergirls.
Most imposing, the squad has kept its opponents to an average of 69 points per game, which is impressive for Division 1 play. This achievement was gained with the solid walls built and the stubborn defense supplied by co-captain Party Foul, Emily Rinehart, Mayor Francis Slayer, Shimmy Hoffa, Kayla Seiber, Chewblocka, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Jamheiser Bush, Shear-Ra Powers, Cloak N’ DragHer, Ninja Sass ‘Em, Grave Danger and Julie Gray.
“Our defense has improved so much this year,” assessed Foul. “It’s so tight. Way tighter than it has been in previous seasons. Everybody has been taking it up to the next level by just focusing on the track. Our walls are so tight and they are just so impenetrable.”
This arguably might be the most intimidating roster the league has ever fielded in its eight years of WFTDA-sanctioned travel team play. ARRG looks to post its fifth straight win Saturday, and keep its undefeated streak at Queeny Park (16-0) intact, against a competitive squad that looks to maintain its own unblemished record.
Des Moines United Roller Derby Photo Credit: DMURD
Established in 2013, Des Moines United Roller Derby (2-0) became a WFTDA-chartered league last October. The team has sanctioned wins over #65 Old Capital City (240-87), #42 No Coast (162-153) and a non-sanctioned upset over #11 Windy City (153-138) on April 18.
Although the league is new to WFTDA-sanctioning, the team contains numerous veteran skaters. Lolli Pop ya and Lolo Gunz are jammers to watch while blockers Thundercat, Violent Grimm, Snot Face and a host of others will be looking to set up the walls.
Heading into Saturday’s match-up, Des Moines United has a 1-0 edge on ARRG written in the history book. One year ago, the Iowans posted a 181-81 victory. Arch Rival looks to even the ledger with victory Saturday.
The twin-bill event also features a highly-competitive “B-team” match-up with ARRG’s Saint Lunachix (1-1) against Team United’s Blue Ribbon Bullies (2-1).
Tickets at the door are $15 while children 10 and under get in free. Go to THIS LINK to save $3 off with a ticket purchased in advance online.
For more information on the Arch Rival Roller Girls, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
