The Saint Anselm Hawks Ultimate Frisbee team faced fierce competition over the weekend at the annual Lobster Pot Tournament, held at the Wainwright Field Athletic Complex in South Portland, Maine. The two-day tournament on October 19th and 20th drew an impressive 87 teams from across New England, all vying for victory on one of the 40 fields spread across the complex. For the Hawks, this tournament marked their first away competition of the season and proved to be a challenging yet exhilarating experience.

The Hawks kicked off their weekend with a triple-header. Their first match against Connecticut College set a tough tone as they fell 4-15 to a strong opponent. The Hawks regrouped quickly and, in their second game, demonstrated resilience and skill, defeating the University of New England 12-7. This win highlighted the team’s ability to adjust strategies and come together as a unit after a difficult start.

Their final game on October 19th against the University of Massachusetts proved to be another hurdle, with the Hawks ultimately succumbing to a 5-15 loss. Despite the scoreboard, captains Nicholas Longo, Vincenzo Scicchitano, Gracie Atkins, and Jason Collopy remained steadfast in encouraging and motivating their teammates, focusing on teamwork and tactical adjustments for the next day.

Day two brought fresh energy and determination for the Hawks as they entered into three more competitive matches. The morning began with a challenging game against Springfield College, where the Hawks faced another loss with a final score of 9-15. However, their focus on coordination and spirited play was not smothered by the loss as they moved into their second game of the day against Clark University.

In a thrilling showdown with Clark University, the Hawks pulled off a nail-biting victory in overtime. The highlight of the game—and arguably the entire tournament for Saint Anselm—came from Daniel McAdams, who made an extraordinary catch in the endzone, securing an 11-10 win for the Hawks. McAdams’ remarkable play sent a wave of excitement through the sidelines giving the Hawks their second win of the weekend.

The Hawks concluded their tournament experience with a match against Hamilton College, which ended in a hard-fought 8-15 loss. The team’s efforts throughout the day showed the progress and determination of the team as they tested new strategies, learned from each game, and showed steady improvement in both offensive and defensive plays.

The Lobster Pot Tournament was not just an opportunity to compete but a formative experience for the Saint Anselm Hawks. With captains Nicholas Longo, Vincenzo Scicchitano, Gracie Atkins, and Jason Collopy at the helm, the team displayed strong leadership and camaraderie, which proved essential during this tournament. Their guidance was instrumental in rallying the team, especially during the pivotal game against Clark University.

The Hawks’ performance at the 2024 Lobster Pot Tournament sets an exciting foundation for the remainder of their season. With valuable experience gained from competing against top-tier teams and taking home two hard-earned wins, Saint Anselm’s Ultimate Frisbee team is well-poised for future challenges. The Lobster Pot proved to be a rigorous test, but the Hawks emerged with new skills, stronger unity, and a renewed drive to improve.

As the season continues, the Hawks look forward to building on the momentum from this weekend.