OLD BETHPAGE, NY, September 4, 2011 – The Hellions of Troy Roller Derby League earned a top three finish at the 2nd Annual New York State all-female flat track roller derby tournament Empire Skate Showdown, hosted by the Long Island Roller Rebels in Old Bethpage, NY on Saturday, September 3, 2011. Nine New York teams participated in a total of seventeen thirty minute challenge bouts during the double-elimination tournament.
The Hellions scored their first win over the Hudson Valley Horrors (Kingston, NY) with a score of 67 – 40. Their next match was against Roc City Roller Derby of Rochester, NY. The Hellions took a strong lead in the first 15 minutes, but after calling a team time out, Rochester rallied to shorten the gap to under 10 points. The Hellions held strong in the remaining minutes and held onto the lead with a final score of 74-71.
Two wins secured a spot in the quarter finals, where the Hellions faced Central New York Roller Derby (CNYRD), from Utica, NY. The Hellions have worked closely with CNYRD in the past two years, making it a meaningful bout for both leagues. CNYRD opened the bout strong by scoring over 25 in the initial minutes of the game, which the Hellions were not able to make up for over the remainder of bout. The game ended with a final score of 86 – 32 and hugs shared between both teams. Their first loss of the tournament sent the Hellions down to the lower bracket, where they would face the Wall Street Traitors (New York, NY), who had faced one loss earlier in the tournament, to the Ithaca League of Women Rollers (Ithaca, NY).
The Traitors, who ended on top at last year’s tournament, are part of New York’s premier roller derby league, the Gotham Girls, who are currently ranked number one in the eastern region of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA). Hellions vs. Traitors was the fifteenth game of the day, the fourth for the both teams, taking place eight hours after the first game of the tournament. It was apparent that both leagues were fatigued, but the Hellions opened strong to keep pace with their opponents in the initial minutes of the game. Never giving up, the Hellions continued to push themselves harder than ever, but were unable to keep up with the might of the Wall Street Traitors. The final score of the game was 23 Hellions to 115 Traitors. This loss placed the Hellions in third place of the tournament overall. The Traitors went on to face Central New York in the final match up of the day, where they ultimately secured the win. Central New York placed second in the tournament overall.
After placing last in the 2010 tournament, the Hellions are proud to have earned a space at the top this year. So far in 2011, the Hellions have a record of 8 wins and 4 losses to various teams in the eastern United States and Canada. They attribute their success this year to quality recruiting and training efforts, the hard work of their coaching staff, and the dedication of their players.
The Hellions are winding down their 2011 season, with a game against Maine Roller Derby on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Rollarama Skating Center in Schenectady, NY at 7:00pm. Check the website for details on the final bouts of the season.
Individuals interested in joining the Hellions and playing roller derby can attend an informational recruitment night on Sunday, October 9 at Rollarama Skating Center at 7:00pm.
Short Temper was featured in print and online as a Times Union newspaper blogger. Blogging for the Times Union since September 2010, this feature sneaks up on her 1 year anniversary as a blogger with the TU.
