A showdown with Motown is on the docket for the primary travel squad of the Arch Rival Roller Girls this Saturday night in its final home game of the season.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
St. Louis, currently ranked #11 internationally by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), hosts #21 Detroit at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO.)
The evening’s double header, which also features a “B-team” donnybrook with ARRG’s Saint Lunachix battling the Kansas City Roller Warriors’ Plan B, launches at 6:30 p.m.
Arch Rival, 11-0 in WFTDA-sanctioned play and 12-0 overall, topped #48 Naptown, 287-40, in late June to keep its undefeated historical streak at Queeny Park intact (18-0).
The agenda for the locals is concrete for Saturday’s match-up against the pesky opponents from the city nicknamed, “Hitsville, U.S.A.” For Arch Rival, it wants to supply its own version of hard-hitting punishment.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
“We are focused on controlling the game with consistent tenacity,” said Arch Rival co-captain Bricktator. “Knowing it’s our last home game of the season, we will bring 110% effort, a little bit of swag and a lot of trust in our teammates.”
Alongside Bricktator, jammers Brickyard, Mighty Mighty Boston, Annie Swanson and Harmony Killerbruise are set to offensively don the star and post points.
Co-captain Party Foul, Emily Rinehart, Mayor Francis Slayer, Shimmy Hoffa, Kayla Seiber, Chewblocka, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Jamheiser Bush, Shear-Ra Powers and The Ginger Assassin are on tap for blocking duties while Ninja Sass ‘Em, Grave Danger, Krista Grant, Cupquake and Party RockHer is also on the charter to assist the team.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Saturday’s visitors, the Detroit Derby Girls, has also had a solid season. After winning nine straight to start the season, Motown recently dropped games to #10 Philly (351-127) and #17 Stockholm (259-162) for its current 9-2 mark.
Don’t let those two setbacks fool you. Detroit has always been ultra-competitive against Arch Rival, 2-2 historically against the league, and they’ll be primed to potentially snag a rankings’ upset prior to the WFTDA Division 1 playoff tournaments later this year.
“They will be one of the toughest teams that we have faced this season,” assessed Arch Rival’s Bricktator. “I know they will show up on Saturday ready to play. Both teams are ramping up to prepare for the playoffs and will use this game to assess progress.”
The co-captain knows that a solid turnout for its final local game of the year would aid the team in racking up its twelfth-straight sanctioned victory.
“There is no better feeling than the energy of an entire crowd cheering you on,” she said. “Having a ‘6th-woman’ on the track is empowering. Also, this is a special game for some of the All-Star skaters as it is their last game at Queeny. It is important that they are surrounded by veteran and new fans alike.”
Admission for the double-header is $15 at the door, but one can save $3 by purchasing tickets online in advance AT THIS LINK. Children 10 and under get in free.
For more information on the Arch Rival Roller Girls, go to their official Facebook page.
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.
