Returning from Savannah, Ga. the members of Army of Darkness­ (AOD)-the men's ultimate Frisbee team-felt that despite the loss of five of their seven starters from last year, their odds of having a successful season were high. Indeed, they returned such formidable veterans as Nicholas Haslett '06, Amos Irwin '07, Alex Campbell '07 and Ben Abelson '08 and received a large influx of talented first-years eager to step onto the field. Chalking up a 4-4 record in Savannah, with all losses being close, the AOD knew that its new lineup was beginning to jell. What was unknown was whether the youth movement on the Frisbee team would be able to respond when called upon in key moments of competition. On Saturday, the team received a definitive answer.

The UMassacre Ultimate Frisbee tournament hosted several talented teams, including the Amherst Regional High School team, whose squad is considered one of the best at the high school and college level. The conditions on Satuday were unfriendly to a Frisbee team, with winds carrying the disk to unforeseen places, and the cold threatening to tighten its grip on the muscles of the AOD. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll on Saturday and Sunday when three starters were injured. Haslett, Irwin and Campbell were all downed for day two of the two-day tourney last Saturday and Sunday. Abelson has not played since dislocating his shoulder in Savannah. Of the four injured starters, Haslett, Campbell and Abelson are captains and provide veteran experience as well as dominant play. It could have been a demoralizing blow to the season, but fielding an all first-year squad in light of the injuries, Amherst received a boost from the enthusiastic rookies. "When the [first-years] came out for our first few practices in the fall, we were amazed not only by the numbers and skill that the '09s brought to the field, but also their excitement for the game," said Abelson. "Their excitement is what allowed them to rise to the opportunity this weekend."

The team came into the season knowing that first-years would have an immediate impact on their team; it wasn't aware, however, that their test would come on one of the most miserable days of the season.

"Towards the end of our game with Boston College on Saturday, I jokingly told another captain that I bet an all rookie line could close out the game on their own," said Abelson. "We barely beat BC in the fall, though we had put that behind us and were cruising to a decisive win. The rookies proceeded to establish themselves as a defensive force to reckon with by having block after block on spectacular bids. I was talking with another captain about how we need to figure out what they said to each other before that point to gather such energy. Apparently, they didnt say anything special, it was just the fact that they were so excited to be playing with each other and getting the chance to show us that in no way had they been riding on the skill of the upperclassmen for their success. I am glad I am only a sophomore so that I can stick around for another two years to watch this year's rookies grow into something unstoppable."

The AOD started the tournament with a 13-0 blanking of UMass Amherst's B side. It was followed up by a hard fought 8-13 loss to UMass Amherst's A side. A subsequent 13-3 victory over Boston College allowed Amherst to enjoy a fine record going into the night. However, the victories in the AOD's win column come with heavy losses due to injuries.

On the second day, with the elimination portion of the tournament beginning, Amherst lacked experience on the field. What AOD was lacking in career minutes, it made up for in cohesiveness amongst the first-years. "I thought we did well," remarked David Reinhardt '09. "This weekend showed we have some way to go. But that being said, we are progressing very well as a [first-year] unit, both offensively and defensively." True to his word, the scoreboard indeed showed the progressive comfort level with the subtleties of the game. AOD began Sunday with a 2-13 loss to Tufts University and subsequent 2-13 loss to Boston University. The AOD's struggles soon turned around as the first-years found their groove and began to excel defensively and offensively against McGill University. "We put seven [first-years] on the field and they were defensively dominant," said Max Calabro '06. The AOD often fielded an all-first-year lineup against McGill that more than held its own. The final AOD loss was a 10-13 battle against their Canadian adversaries.

In two weeks, the AOD will play in Western New England Sectionals, the first of three championship tournaments that will determine the ultimate success of this year's squad. Their success there will be determined by several variables, none more important than the health of their captains and starters. "We have a lot of very good teams in our section, including Middlebury and UMass," Calabro said. "If we stop getting injured, we will definitely have a chance to win some games."

However, this weekend proved to be a demonstration of The AOD's ability to adjust to adversity. When asked whether the first-years could continue their progress and provide the necessary support to make a run in the championships, Reinhardt said the following, "I think the [first-years] are ready to do what it takes, the captains are great, letting us get in on points when it really counts, forcing us to make catches and throws. I know we will be ready to step it up. Hopefully we can beat some teams [at regionals] that don't consider us contenders."

If injuries force their hand, and the first-years are forced to step on the field as a unit, it seems as if they feel comfortable that they can play with anyone.