NUT entered the Illinois Conference Championships at the familiar Rantoul, Illinois. With only 8 teams in the Illinois section this year, winning the Saturday pool would put NUT in the 1st place game Sunday morning.
In pool play, NUT squared off against Loyola, UIC, and Illinois State. Breaks were abundant, and NUT claimed victories over all three opponents on Saturday with the closest game at 10-8 against Illinois State. With a pool sweep, NUT earned their way to the 1st place game against the other pool winner, Illinois on Sunday. Illinois broke NUT on the first point, but NUT recovered the break a few points later. Though NUT was close with many break chances, NUT and Illinois continued to trade holds until 12-12 with a game to 14 after cap with NUT on offense. NUT cut through the Illinois zone going downwind to make the score 13-12. NUT got a deep D and was able to work up the field to break for the win and for an Illinois Section first place finish for the third year in a row! Final score 14-12.
And for the second year in a row, Northwestern Ultimate Women’s Team GungHo also claimed first place in the Illinois section to top off a successful weekend for the Northwestern Ultimate Program.
NUT looks to continue their success in the series with Regionals at Fair Oaks, Indiana the weekend of May 6th and 7th!