This was supposed to be the year that the San Francisco Dogfish were going to start winning again. A contingent of players were returning, a huge win against the Portland Stags last year had given the team a positive to build on, but instead the 2016 team finished 2-8, tied for their worst record in franchise history.
The team did lose players after their 2015 campaign. Free agents Nick Thompson and Andrew Hooker were picked up by the Boston Whitecaps and the Dogfish failed to sign their second leading scorer Jackson Stearns. Returning though, was their leading scorer and primary handler, Gabe Saunkeah and Taylor Cascino to their starting O-line with a balance of experience and youth in their defensive unit. Nearly half of the roster (14) came back this season.
With a solid amount of returners, particularly Saunkeah, the team was in position compete against the Seattle Rainmakers for the final playoff spot in the West.
The team did lose players after their 2015 campaign. Free agents Nick Thompson and Andrew Hooker were picked up by the Boston Whitecaps and the Dogfish failed to sign their second leading scorer Jackson Stearns. Returning though, was their leading scorer and primary handler, Gabe Saunkeah and Taylor Cascino to their starting O-line with a balance of experience and youth in their defensive unit. Nearly half of the roster (14) came back this season.
With a solid amount of returners, particularly Saunkeah, the team was in position compete against the Seattle Rainmakers for the final playoff spot in the West.
Record: 2-8 | Home: 2-3 | Away: 0-5 |
Getting a road win was going to be the major road bump in this season. Coming into the year the team had lost 11 straight road matchups, dating back to 2013 the longest in MLU history. Granted the Dogfish do more traveling than any team in the league. Their closest competitor, the Stags are 636 miles away, which is farther than Vancouver to Portland and even Boston to Washington D.C. As a result the team was scheduled two road doubleheaders this season.
Their road woes continued this year going 0-5 and extending their losing streak to 16 road losses in a row. The problems that plagued the team last year were consistent throughout this season, especially early on in the season. There were countless throwaways and plenty of 'what was he thinking' moments in the season. This prevented the offense from scoring when pressured.
The team was able to force more turnovers this season, increasing their defensive turnover efficiency to 58.6 percent this season. This was an eight percent increase from last year but only netted a three percent increase in defensive scoring (30.4 percent). Their defense has never been a problem but when their defense has to play offense they struggle to convert.
As a result the squad was forced to take timeouts to sub their offense in after a block rather than use a timeout for a midfield pull to cut into a deficit.
Their road woes continued this year going 0-5 and extending their losing streak to 16 road losses in a row. The problems that plagued the team last year were consistent throughout this season, especially early on in the season. There were countless throwaways and plenty of 'what was he thinking' moments in the season. This prevented the offense from scoring when pressured.
The team was able to force more turnovers this season, increasing their defensive turnover efficiency to 58.6 percent this season. This was an eight percent increase from last year but only netted a three percent increase in defensive scoring (30.4 percent). Their defense has never been a problem but when their defense has to play offense they struggle to convert.
As a result the squad was forced to take timeouts to sub their offense in after a block rather than use a timeout for a midfield pull to cut into a deficit.
vs. Vancouver Nighthawks: 2-1 PD: +9
vs. New York Rumble: 0-1 PD: -3
vs. Portland Stags: 0-3 PD: -20
vs. Seattle Rainmakers: 0-3 PD: -25
San Francisco had one of the strangest schedules in the MLU. With their two road doubleheader weekends, both being late in the season, no one knew how this team would shape out.
The team initially won over the Vancouver Nighthawks in Week 1 21-12 but then had a bye in only the second week. As a result they were one of only three teams undefeated going into Week 3. Following the win with an eight game losing streak, the longest in MLU history, the team was not eliminated from the postseason until Week 9.
The Dogfish got blown out by the Rainmakers this season, highlighted by a 29-16 drubbing in Week 7. With an 8 point loss the following week, the season series was already in the hands of Seattle. In Week 10 the Dogfish nearly shocked the Rainmakers but in turn the Rainmakers were the ones that shocked the professional ultimate world.
On the road the Dogfish were playing their best ultimate of the season, on top of the Rainmakers 15-9 at half. Reeling off eight breaks and Cascino on fire with two goals and four assists, the team was well on their way to a turnaround point in their season. That is until Seattle blanked them 8-0 in the third quarter and would go on to win 22-18.
The team initially won over the Vancouver Nighthawks in Week 1 21-12 but then had a bye in only the second week. As a result they were one of only three teams undefeated going into Week 3. Following the win with an eight game losing streak, the longest in MLU history, the team was not eliminated from the postseason until Week 9.
The Dogfish got blown out by the Rainmakers this season, highlighted by a 29-16 drubbing in Week 7. With an 8 point loss the following week, the season series was already in the hands of Seattle. In Week 10 the Dogfish nearly shocked the Rainmakers but in turn the Rainmakers were the ones that shocked the professional ultimate world.
On the road the Dogfish were playing their best ultimate of the season, on top of the Rainmakers 15-9 at half. Reeling off eight breaks and Cascino on fire with two goals and four assists, the team was well on their way to a turnaround point in their season. That is until Seattle blanked them 8-0 in the third quarter and would go on to win 22-18.
Team MVP: Gabe Saunkeah
(15G, 23A, 5B, 298/319 throws, 1.163 TPOP)
Two years in a row Saunkeah has led the Dogfish in total scoring and assists. He completed 60 more passes than any of his teammates even attempted and always was around the disc when the offense was on the field. Saunkeah played in all 10 games on the season for San Francisco, one of the few players to do so with an intricate road schedule. Without his presence on offense, the team's scoring opportunities would have diminished. At 34, Saunkeah's experience helped spread the disc around and position someone, possibly Thomas Lassetter, to fill in his role in the future. In doing so, six of the team's top seven offensive players touched the disc more than 100 times this season.
Team Star: Gabe Saunkeah (3 weeks)
Saunkeah can still get it done on the field. In four games he totaled five points (goals and assists) and in seven games he got at least four points. His ability as a thrower makes him extremely dangerous at the handler position but his expertise of the game allows him to cut deep when given the opportunity. As a result big performances for Saunkeah and a must have in MLU Fantasy on doubleheader weekends.
Rookie of the Year: Devon Williams
(4G, 3A, 12B, 57-67 throws, 0.504 TPOP)
This was a tough choice, either the offensive specialist Daniel Nauro or defensive phenom Devon Williams. Impossible to go wrong with either choice, but Williams was all over the field defensively with 12 blocks in 110 defensive points played. Similar in stature to Sportscenter favorite Delrico Johnson, expect Williams to be making many more highlight reel plays going forward.
Trend: Downward
Definitely this was not what Dogfish fans were hoping for heading into the season. The team has had three straight years below .500 with their best record being 3-7 (2015). The team had strong moments on the season but not enough consistency from game to game. With aging stars, new roles are going to have to be filled or adapted in the off-season in addition to the normal roster turnover. The team needs to address their issues before the next season begins, otherwise the only team they will have a chance to beat will be the Nighthawks once again.