(ST. CHARLES, MO) Following a February that netted a pair of wins, the St. Chux Derby Chix, ranked #63 internationally by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), embark on a Hawkeye State trip Saturday to face #81 Old Capitol City in Coralville, IA.
After posting a 67-point victory over #69 Omaha on February 1, SC/DC’s Pack In Black notched a non-sanctioned win against Arch Rival two weeks later at its home opener. The 187-183 exhibition triumph was determined on the bout’s final jam.
With momentum on its side, SC/DC (1-0 sanctioned, 2-0 overall) looks to collect another important WFTDA-sanctioned victory that could potentially propel itself up the rankings’ hierarchy.
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
St. Chux needs to position itself within the WFTDA Top 60 come July in order to qualify for the WFTDA Division 2 playoffs. A win this weekend helps maintain the upward push for the five-year-old, St. Charles County-based league.
“Seventy percent of our qualifying bouts will be played over the next six weeks, so every game matters,” said Pack In Black blocker Ninja Sass ‘em. “We have the onus of getting our ranking as high as possible in the hope that we can hang on to a Top 60 spot through June 30.”
Jamming will be paced by veterans Flash, G.I. Jamie, Jedi Knight-N-Gale and Vixen Ta Getcha. Blocking will be paced by Sass ’em, Whip L’Ash, Pixie Dust-ruction, SlaughterHaus, Zo D. Axe, Bobbie Slamher, Tara Eyes, Zombie F-Bomb, Jane Error and Stabby McCutcha.
SC/DC collected a pair of 2013 wins against Saturday’s opponent, but fully acknowledges that the challenge will be difficult and that the team cannot rest solely on its undefeated start out of the gates.
“Old Cap is not a team to be taken lightly and we are going into this game not even thinking about those two (February) wins,” said Sass ‘em. “Teams change quickly sometimes over a few months and we haven’t played (Old Cap) since last May. St. Chux is looking to play hard, clean and aggressive.”
The mindset is the same for the Old Capitol City Roller Girls (0-0 sanctioned, 1-0 overall), who look to sustain its respective traction in Saturday’s bout. Iowa City’s finest on quads thumped #129 Babe City 262-171 in a non-sanctioned bout on February 9.
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
“Our Babe City win was a good morale victory for us to start off the season, and a good indicator of where our team work is at,” said OCCRG coach Left 4 Deadwards. “Going into this bout, I feel like it’s a new season and our team is feeling refreshed.”
OCCRG brings comparable derby experience to the table. Alongside Deadwards, starters include veterans Jenna JAMisON, Ima Goldiggah and Red Tribution.
Although the journey for the WFTDA Top 60 is further for Old Cap, they know that they can potentially make rumblings within the division with its improved play.
“Division 2 tournaments have been an exciting addition to the WFTDA tournament season, and knowing that it is closer to our reach is very motivating,” said Deadwards. “This season, I definitely want to see us move towards that level, but I also know it’s going be hard work. I want to strive first to nail down the fundamentals on the track, and then I hope upward movement in the rankings will follow.”
Deadwards has first-hand knowledge of the complexion of the Missourian visitors. She personally witnessed SC/DC’s road win over Omaha five weekends ago.
“St. Chux plays a very good defensive game,” the OCCRG multi-position specialist said. “A lot of teams ride on the backs of their jammers, but SC/DC keeps a very well-rounded team. They are looking very strong and hungry to make the Division 2 playoffs.”
The tale of the tape leans slightly to the hostesses, as Old Cap has consistently fielded a taller line-up compared to St. Chux in prior meetings.
“In contrast, they do have some larger blockers,” said SC/DC’s Sass ‘em. “Every team does because we are a smaller team. But they are no bigger than the (St. Louis) GateKeeper guys that we regularly scrimmage against.”
And the St. Chux lynchpin knows that solely focusing on an individual skater on the other side of the ledger is never a good strategy.
“We don’t distract ourselves with a particular jammer or blocker,” she said. “St. Chux always focuses on playing ‘our game.’”
Saturday’s 7 p.m. tussle will be played at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Those in attendance will see a pair of squads with similar depth, skill sets, and respect for the team donning opposing colors.
“We have been playing a wide range of teams and I feel like we’re on par and can play a good competitive game (against) each other,” said Old Cap’s Deadwards. “They aren’t to be underestimated, and I hope we can keep it much closer this time.”
For more information about SC/DC, go to stchuxderbychix.com.
For more information about OCCRG, go to oldcapitolcityrollergirls.com.
