The Philadelphia Surge, the city’s women and gender-expansive pro ultimate frisbee team hosted and played in its first ever postseason this past weekend at Drexel University’s Vidas Field.
The team lost in its Premier Ultimate League semifinal, 19-13, to DC Shadow on Saturday, but the nearly 700 people who braved the record heat for the game showed that the 2-year-old team enjoys Philly’s famed fanaticism.
“We know in Philadelphia we have an awesome ultimate community, but one of the things I was most excited about was that this would showcase that to the rest of the league,” said Jordan Rhyne, Surge co-owner and managing director. “To have a packed crowd and to see incredible, high-level play, and just the energy that our fans bring, I think was really special and something that maybe surprised [other teams and league leaders].”
Philly missed out on the playoffs last season, when a controversial league committee vote picked New York Gridlock for the final wildcard spot — the Surge had beat the Gridlock during the season and had one less loss than the New York team. The sport’s online community wasn’t too impressed .
Before the Surge’s game, Gridlock faced the Austin Torch in the first semifinal. The Surge had cruised past Austin, 22-7, in the regular season, so much of the home crowd was probably hopeful the 3-3 team could pull off a big upset against an undefeated New York side that handed Philly its only loss this year.
Surge player Grace Hodges dives to make a catch against the DC Shadow. (Matthew Brooks Images/@matthewbrooksimages)
That didn’t happen. Despite wind and heat wreaking havoc on both team’s throws and the Torch striking first, the Austin squad was outmatched and New York won easily, 20-9, to reach the final for the second year running.
By the 7:15 p.m. game start, the stands were packed, even though the temperature hadn’t retreated much from its 98-degree peak that day. Accommodations were made — each 12-minute quarter had a heat break in the middle of it and fans were encouraged to use the time to hydrate as well. Some spectators and security tried balancing small bags of ice on their heads.
The crowd for Saturday’s PUL Championship Weekend semifinal between the Philadelphia Surge and the DC Shadow at Drexel’s Vidas Field. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
The Shadow — also undefeated during the regular season — got off to a strong early start and used its physical, league-leading defense to slow the Surge in the first quarter.
“They did what we expected and it looked really good for them. I think we adjusted to it a little bit too slowly,” said Surge head coach Bobby Roos. “I think we added [our own defensive pressure] as the game went on and just never kind of capitalized offensively after our turnovers.”
The Surge kept the score within reach for most of the game, staying within five points at the end of the second and third quarters, but couldn’t find that rallying scratch to pull even. The game ended, 19-13, with Lindsay McKenna setting up Linda Morris for the Surge’s final goal right at the buzzer.
Andrea DeSababo leads other members of the Philadelphia Surge in high fives with the crowd after the game. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
This was the Surge’s first season at Drexel University. Like the South Philly Sports Complex last year, Philly consistently put up the highest attendance in the league, and the atmosphere remained raucous and lively even as the outcome became bleaker for the home fans.
“It was great to play that game in front of a home crowd,” Roos said postgame. “I think it’s pretty well known throughout the league that we have the best, loudest and most involved fan base. It’s also really cool for these other teams to get to see that and experience more of what a professional sports game can be like when the crowd is involved and maybe a little bit rowdy.”
The crowd celebrates a Surge goal during Saturday’s PUL Championship Weekend semifinal at Drexel’s Vidas Field. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
Reflecting on the season, Roos said it was a positive sophomore effort, adding and integrating new players to an already strong squad to make the postseason for the first time.
“We competed in all of our games throughout the regular season,” he said. “I think the two losses that we had — in the semifinal and in the New York game — people aren’t really happy with the way we played, but there are still a lot of positives and we played strong all season.”
Sunday’s crowd for the final at 2 p.m. was smaller than the day before. The heat was a smidge less oppressive.
A contingent of Surge players sat in the bleachers, along with members of Philly’s pro men’s team, the Phoenix, and others from club and rec teams that are part of the Philadelphia Area Disc Alliance . There wasn’t a clear rooting favorite for the group.
Gridlock, the league’s hottest offense, started off with three unanswered points and largely kept the Shadow in check on the way to a 16-10 victory and its first-ever title.
New York Gridlock after winning the PUL championship final against DC Shadow. (Matthew Brooks Images/@matthewbrooksimages)
For Rhyne, the big takeaway from the weekend was showing the talent and competitiveness of the sport, paired with a packed and loud crowd that will probably keep Philadelphia in the conversation for where to host next year’s finals.
“We’re really passionate about making women’s sports a worthy pursuit,” he said. “A lot of time, in any kind of amateur or semipro sport, people don’t get paid. So we want to continue to grow the sport and make the fan experience awesome, keep bringing more revenue so we can improve the player and coach experience.”
Members of the Philadelphia Surge pose after the PUL Championship weekend semifinal. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)