Game Preview: CRG vs. Brandywine

The Cincinnati Rollergirls open their third home season at Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse at Xavier University this Saturday, March 23 with their annual Fan Appreciation Night — and they’ll be counting on the cheers of CRG’s loyal flock to carry them to victory against a higher-ranked opponent.

CRG’s Black Sheep, currently ranked 88th by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, will battle No. 80-ranked Brandywine Roller Derby in sanctioned play in the first game of Saturday’s double-header. These two teams last faced just over five years ago, with Brandywine taking the win in sanctioned play, 217-104.

Rankings and history aside, there are other factors that will play into Saturday’s outcome — not the least of which will be CRG’s home track advantage. (Will Saturday be your first CRG game at Schmidt? Read our game day tips here.)

Brandywine finished 2018 season with a 5-5 record, but this will be their first sanctioned game of 2019. CRG finished the 2018 season with a 6-2 record and booked an aggressive 10-game home and away schedule this year in the hopes of averaging out to a higher ranking by the time the season is said and done.

So far, the Black Sheep are 0-3 on the season after three tough losses against higher-ranked opponents: Gem City (Dayton) in a closed game at home and the Oklahoma Victory Dolls and Columbia Quad Squad at the March Badness tournament in Columbia, South Carolina.

For Saturday’s home season opener, the Black Sheep will be bolstered by a solid group of CRG veterans, including Nuk’em, who missed CRG’s 2018 season. Formerly best known as one of CRG’s hardest-hitting blockers, look for her in the jammer rotation this Saturday. Also likely to be wearing the star for the Sheep is up-and-coming jammer Loko (pictured), who was a standout on CRG’s B team, the Violent Lambs, last season.

Saturday’s Violent Lambs roster includes many skaters who are also rostered for the Sheep, plus two will be making their CRG debuts, Motley Crouton and Ursa Maimher. Gnarly Manson will also be making her return track after missing the 2018 season. Finally, Sailor Scary, usually a fixture on the Black Sheep roster, will be skating for the Lambs on Saturday after recently returning to play from an off-season injury.

And if these competitive matchups aren’t enough reason to come out and cheer for CRG on Saturday, the team is giving away free fanny packs to the first 50 fans in the door. Plus, fans can count on the usual refreshing fare of local craft beer, food from the Hungry Bros. food truck and Delicio Coal Fired Pizza, also this year’s after-party sponsor. Bring your appetites and your loudest CRG cheers.

Game info

Who: CRG vs. Brandywine Roller Derby
Where: Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse at Xavier University, 3900 Winding Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229
When: Doors open at 5 p.m. CRG’s Black Sheep play the Brandywine Belligerents at 6 p.m. and CRG’s Violent Lambs play the Brandywine Brawlers at approximately 8 p.m.
Tickets: Discounted presale tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets; additional tickets will be available at the door
Watch live: CRG YouTube (venue wifi permitting)

Rosters

CRG Black Sheep

13 Little Bull // 135 Jas Hubbard // 15 Mae Murder // 16 Garden of Beatin’ // 21 Ada Burnlace // 27 Poppy Chulo // 34 Jillian Dollaz // 4 Loko // 43 Wheezy // 533 Royal T // 6313 Ellie Stab’er // 79 Train N. Pain // 8 Doom // 86 Nuk’em // 89 Hustle // Alternates: 713 The Slayer // 626 Noah Pologies

Brandywine Belligerents

10 OLIVE Time and Space // 12 Evil Beauty // 18 ThumpHER // 23 Thresher // 55 KickAsh // 69 Ratkowski // 99 LEXecutioner // 321 Splatticus Finch // 426 Rolling Thunder // 564 Rocket Pop // 724 mayhEm // 727 Ballerinka // 906 Iron Butterfly // 1311 Thunder Crusher // 1776 mErica // Alternates: 289 Moulin Rude // 1869 Groot Force

CRG Violent Lambs

15 Mae Murder // 16 Garden of Beatin’ // 116 Ursa Maimher // 154 Crystal Whip // 21 Ada Burnlace // 27 Poppy Chulo // 34 Jillian Dollaz // 36 Motley Crouton // 4 Loko // 49 Gnarly Manson // 626 Noah Pologies // 6313 Ellie Stab’er // 79 Train N Pain // 713 The Slayer // 92 Sailor Scary // Alternates: 8 Doom // 89 Hustle

Brandywine Brawlers