The Incredible UCSB Burning Skirts went 5-1 at the 2008 Ultimate National College Tournament in Boulder, CO. Their performance over the weekend garnered them SECOND place nationally, their only loss coming in the Finals to University of British Columbia. Amazingly, for the second year in a row, the Skirts finished second at nationals. Even sweeter: for the second year in a row, they beat arch-rival UCLA in the semi-finals!

The 2008 UPA College Ultimate Championships are hosted by the Ultimate Players Association.  Over 10,000 student athletes on more than 600 college teams from across North America entered the UPA College Championship Series in early April (300 men's teams; 300 women's). Two months later only the top college Ultimate teams from across North America were left. 

Ranked 8th nationally this year, the Skirts were seeded 5th in this battle of the top 16 teams. All schools at the National tournament had to place high enough in their Section, then proceed to Regionals, and win there.

Seeding before play started:

In Friday's pool play, the Skirts triumphed over MIT, Wake Forest and Ottowa. The win over Ottowa was significant in that they were previously undefeated all season.  Finishing first in their pool at 3-0, the Skirts were automatically guaranteed a spot in the top 8 bracket.

On Saturday, UCSB beat Wisconsin in the Quarterfinals, and then UCLA in the Semis, in a very close and hard-fought battle.

On Sunday, UCSB lost in the Finals to UBC, this year's Canadian national champion. No, we don't know why Canadian teams also get to play in the US Nationals, but they do. In this particular scenario, losing to a Canadian team in the finals means that UCSB is still the top team in the US!

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