SATURDAY NIGHT DERBY: D3 Aims For .500 In Season Closer Against Omaha

.500

For many teams this would be a sign of being merely average. For a first year team, it is a sign of success and gives prospect to a very hopeful future. And .500 is what the Des Moines Derby Dames will be attempting to accomplish tonight against the Omaha Rollergirls AAA squad tonight at 7 Flags Center in Clive.

There is no doubt that D3 has come a long way in their less than a year existence.

"I feel like this team has come such a long way," said D3 captain Elbow MacFearson. "Half of us could barely stay up on skates seven months ago. Now we’re a tough team. We play hard, we play smart, and we play together. We skate as a team, not as individuals."

Since its sizable defeat against Old Capital City, the Des Moines Derby Dames have gradually began rising in form, scoring both of the their two wins against Wisconsin River Valley, turning in an honorable performance against the Muddy River Nightmare, and came tantalizingly close to knocking off Old Capital City in their rematch in Clive.

Now, the final examination comes from Omaha.

"Omaha AAA is no joke," said D3 emcee ExploSean. "They may not be the all-star travel team, but that doesn't mean they aren't still a VERY strong competitor. They're likely to be the toughest team we face all season. The Omaha league is one that D3 aspires to be like some day. We have mad respect for them."

The one notable Dame out of action tonight will be Tatiana Torcher, who is currently in South Africa watching the United States Soccer team participate in the World Cup.

Elbow MacFearson said the key to D3's success tonight is defense, anticipating the moves of the other team, and teamwork. ExploSean emphasized that D3 blockers must be able to build effective walls and for jammers to keep themselves out of the box.

"The inaugural season jitters are behind us," Elbow MacFearson said. "We just need to be mentally prepared. We need to think about the fundamentals when we’re on the track. We need to be focused. We need to work together. We need to WANT this game – and we do."