(A CORUNA, SPAIN) St. Louis-based Arch Rival Roller Derby, ranked fifth internationally by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), topped Philly Roller Derby, 357-58, in the quarterfinal round of the governing body’s playoff in A Coruna, Spain Friday.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
ARCH, the top seed in the twelve-team bracketed tournament, advances to Saturday’s semifinal to face the winner of the Rainy City/Helsinki quarterfinal. The game takes place at 6 p.m at PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES DE RIAZOR. (11 AM St. Louis time).
The game was highlighted by ARCH’s stubborn walls that smothered the Liberty Belles and resulted in St. Louis’ 74-0 run that finished the first period.
After a scoreless first rotation, Arch Rival jammer Annie Swanson’s nine-pointer resulted in a 9-0 edge. Psychokid D’ Freakout’s 15-9 rotation in Jam 3 pushed the score to 24-9.
As the period progressed, the differential widened. Reptar added a baker’s dozen in Jam 12 that expanded the score to 62-13 halfway through the period.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
A 20-20 push in Jam 15 made the score 110-33 with 9:30 left in the half, but then came the aforementioned scoring streak. Propelled by blockers Shear-Ra Powers, Smarty McFly, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Vicious Van GoGo, LuxFurious, Bolt Action, Kayla Woodward, Grant, Pegassass and Fletcher, St. Louis held a 184-33 lead at intermission.
ARCH jammer Bricktator launched the second with a nine-pointer that continued the run as the lead widened to 193-33.
St. Louis broke the bi-centennial mark five minutes into the period as Van GoGo collected an eight-pointer in Jam 3 that made the score 206-39.
ARCH eclipsed the tripe-century mark with Bricktator’ 23-pointer collected with nine minutes left that made the score 303-54.
ARCH outscored Philly, 173-25, in the second half en route to the 299-point quarterfinal win.
Arch City Media will have continuous updates throughout the weekend.
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.
