2025 SSL Week 6 Recap
Week 6 delivered exactly what Richmond floorball is building its name on — real comebacks, tight benches, and late swings that prove no lead is safe. The Rough Riders rode an 11-goal outburst past the Polar Bears, while the River Dogs pulled off a stunner that left the Raptors stunned and skating off wondering how they let it slip.
Rough Riders 11 – Polar Bears 6
The Rough Riders turned in one of the most complete offensive performances of the season, putting up double digits against a Polar Bears side that couldn’t stop the bleeding when it mattered most.
Parker McQuillan set the tone for the Bears early with two first-period tallies, helped along by Teagan Bower and Tommy Johnson. But the Riders answered wave after wave. Courtney Cooke opened his hat trick night with a sharp finish off Jacob Doucette’s feed, Kyle Ficarella and Sam Leone buried chances, and Jeremy Sacra continued his rise up the goal chart with three of his own.
By the second, the Riders had found another gear. Sacra scored twice unassisted, Sam Leone added another from Courtney Ray, and John Kapp picked up a timely solo goal to swing momentum for good. Even when the Bears clawed back with late markers from Ondrej Adamek, Tom Hogan, and Brandon Loughen, the Riders held firm. Cooke sealed it with two more in the third to complete the hat trick and slam the door on any comeback.
Final Score: Rough Riders 11 – Polar Bears 6
🌊 River Dogs 7 – Raptors 6
Game 12 was everything floorball in Richmond is supposed to be — fast, unpredictable, and heartbreaking if you’re on the wrong side of the final push.
The Raptors looked ready to grab two points behind their familiar trio: Steve Foltz struck twice off Steven Jurkiewicz’s setups, and Murtaza Raza carved up the slot for his second hat trick of the year. By the start of the third, they were up 6–4 and controlling the pace.
But the River Dogs have made a habit of staying calm when the scorecard says they shouldn’t. Aylla DeSantiago — who still sits atop the SSL assist charts — snuck behind the Raptors’ back line for a much-needed goal. Samantha Rao, in her rookie season, netted her first SSL tally moments later off Nick Baldaino’s feed. With the Raptors still reeling, Baldaino leveled it himself with an unassisted dagger. Then Greg Gleichman, who’d been quietly buzzing all night, iced the comeback with a smooth finish off DeSantiago’s patient feed.
From down two to up one in the blink of an eye — the Dogs left no doubt that this squad knows how to close. The Raptors, meanwhile, skate into Week 7 with a lesson no stat line can sugarcoat: you have to play every second.
Final Score: River Dogs 7 – Raptors 6
Week 6 Takeaway
Another week, another reminder that in this league, no bench is deep enough to sleep on a lead. Jeremy Sacra and Courtney Cooke keep climbing the scoring charts, Aylla DeSantiago’s playmaking continues to unlock games, and the River Dogs’ rally shows there’s still plenty of floorball left to surprise us all.
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2025 SSL Week 5 Recap
Week 5 brought two games packed with big swings, gritty comebacks, and late drama. The Polar Bears and Raptors battled to an electric draw, while the River Dogs flexed their depth scoring to stay ahead of a scrappy Rough Riders push.
🦖 Raptors 5 – Polar Bears 5 (Draw)
This one felt like two games in one. The Polar Bears jumped out hot in the first period behind goals from Ondrej Adamek, Chris Bourne (including a solo effort), and Matt Sadarangani, with Parker McQuillan pulling strings up front. The Raptors managed one back through Steve Foltz from Karl Pereira, but still trailed 3–1 after one.
In the second, the Raptors dug in. Steven Jurkiewicz finished a feed from Victor Melendez Gonzalez, but the Bears’ McQuillan struck back to keep the gap. Down two entering the third, the Raptors showed the grit that’s becoming their trademark. Murtaza Raza and Jurkiewicz flipped the momentum, combining for two goals to tie it at 4–4. Karl Pereira then buried what looked like the winner, set up by Raza’s sharp vision.
But the Bears weren’t done. With just seconds left on the clock, Tom Hogan found space in the slot and buried the equalizer off McQuillan’s late feed — a last-gasp goal that snatched a point and left the Raptors shaking their heads at what might have been.
Final Score: Raptors 5 – Polar Bears 5 (Draw)
🌊 River Dogs 7 – Rough Riders 5
The River Dogs turned in another statement win, but the Rough Riders made them earn every bit of it. Sean Lucas and Nick Baldaino got the Dogs rolling early — Baldaino putting up two in the first period, one solo and one off Greg Gleichman’s setup. Courtney Cooke slipped one in for the Riders before the first buzzer, assisted by Jacob Doucette.
The second period was a scoring spree. Malachy Cole struck twice for the Dogs, with Vivian Sievers picking up an assist. The Rough Riders’ Sam Leone answered with a pair of his own — once unassisted, then again from Jeremy Sacra — before Sacra buried one, too, with Leone returning the favor. But Matthew Dillard’s goal from Dom Sadarangani gave the Dogs enough cushion to weather the storm.
Aylla DeSantiago, who now sits atop the league leaderboard in assists, added her own mark to the scoresheet in the third, finishing off a sharp setup from Greg Gleichman. That insurance proved crucial as the Riders made one final push — Brandon Witkop’s late marker from Courtney Ray made it interesting, but the Dogs’ early surge held up.
Final Score: River Dogs 7 – Rough Riders 5
Week 5 Takeaway
Two games, two lessons: no lead is safe, and no side is backing down easy. As the standings tighten, every goal, every last-minute push, and every gritty shift keeps raising the bar for what SSL floorball looks like in Richmond.
2025 East Coast Tournament - Cary, NC
Two Richmond Teams Compete in North Carolina Tournament, Spark Competitive Vision
June 21, 2025
The East Coast Tournament, hosted last weekend by Triangle Floorball Club in North Carolina, brought together six teams from across the region in a two-division, round-robin format followed by playoffs. It was a competitive showcase of national and regional floorball talent, featuring top-ranked programs including Colorado (#4), New York (#11), and Triangle (#27). Amid that field, Richmond entered two unranked but evenly balanced squads—Richmond Floorball Club and RVA—looking not only to compete but to measure themselves against some of the best in the country.
While neither Richmond team secured a win against other squads during the tournament, the experience was anything but empty. The Richmond Floorball Club team battled New York in a one-goal contest that stood out as a tournament highlight—an effort that demonstrated Richmond’s ability to challenge elite programs when structured and focused. The RVA squad, facing similarly skilled opponents, displayed resilience and teamwork throughout a demanding stretch of games.
Importantly, Richmond made the deliberate decision to split talent evenly across both teams, emphasizing balanced rosters and leadership on both sides rather than consolidating top talent. The outcome reflected not only parity between the two Richmond squads but also a wider commitment to development and cohesion. The weekend also revealed areas for growth—on and off the floor—as the club continues to evolve.
Richmond’s foundation remains rooted in inclusivity. Open play, community focus, and accessible pathways continue to serve newcomers, veterans, and weekend players alike. That foundation is not shifting—it’s expanding.
What emerged from the weekend was a clearer sense of direction. Richmond’s players are expressing a growing interest in pursuing more advanced competition, training, and national-level preparation. In response, Richmond Floorball Club plans to explore the formation of a dedicated competitive training environment. This initiative will remain optional and complementary—for those who choose to pursue it.
Players interested in participating in this next phase—not as a guaranteed roster spot, but as a commitment to higher expectations and structured development—are encouraged to express interest by filling out this form
As Richmond continues to grow, it may soon become a model for what’s possible in American floorball: a city where both community and competition are cultivated side by side, and where neither has to come at the cost of the other. Whether you're chasing medals or just chasing the ball, Richmond Floorball remains your home.
Written by RFC Media Hub in collaboration with a custom chatGPT from OpenAI.
All content © Richmond Floorball Club Inc.
2025 SSL Week 4 Recap
Game 7
Polar Bears 8, River Dogs 3
The River Dogs thought they’d found an early bite Tuesday night at Powhatan Ice Den, but the Polar Bears answered with their sharpest teeth yet. This one was all about Ondrej Adamek and Chris Bourne — a one-two punch that left no doubt who owned the rink when the final horn sounded.
It was Matthew Dillard who sparked things for the Dogs, slipping two goals past the Polar netminder in the first period. Brian Bondurant chipped in with an assist on the second, trying to steady River’s rhythm. But each lead was erased in an instant. Adamek responded to both with cold precision — first off Michael Filer’s smooth setup, then finishing a crisp feed from Bourne. By the end of twenty minutes, the score was even, but the ice was starting to tilt.
The second period was pure Polar. Bourne cracked it open with a snap shot on a Parker McQuillan feed. Adamek needed no help for his third — a solo breakaway that brought the bench to its feet — and then Bourne answered back with an unassisted snipe of his own. Even when Nick Baldaino clawed one back for the Dogs, fighting through traffic for his first goal of the week, the Bears hardly flinched.
McQuillan’s name kept popping up as the lines rolled. Todd Ice Den slipped Adamek a perfect pass for his fourth of the night, giving the Czech sniper his biggest performance yet this summer. Bourne polished off his hat trick — his second multi-goal game in as many weeks — while Michael Filer kept feeding looks from the wing. By the time McQuillan tucked away Polar’s eighth goal, assisted by Filer again, the Dogs were outpaced and out of time.
Final: Polar Bears 8, River Dogs 3.
Adamek’s four goals set a personal best for the season. Bourne’s hat trick and two helpers made sure the offense never sputtered. Dillard and Baldaino gave the River Dogs moments to build on, but this night belonged to the blue and white.
So the Polar Bears keep rolling — a team that can bury you in one period if you blink. And for the Richmond floorball faithful who packed the boards Tuesday night, Game 7 was a reminder that the Summer Sizzle League always finds a way to heat up, even when the ice stays cold.
Game 8
Polar Bears 8, River Dogs 3
The Raptors and Rough Riders didn’t hold anything back in Week 4’s nightcap, lighting up the Ice Den scoreboard with goals, grit, and a whole lot of familiar names.
The opening period was all Steven Jurkiewicz and Murtaza Raza. Jurkiewicz wasted no time, cashing in early off a smooth pass from Raza to get the Raptors rolling. John Kapp fired back for the Rough Riders with a solo strike that kept the benches chirping, but Jurkiewicz answered right back, this time fed by Victor Melendez Gonzalez. Before the first horn, Raza added one of his own — unassisted and all hustle — staking the Raptors to a solid lead.
In the second, Steve Foltz got in on the action with an unassisted snipe that had the bench banging sticks on the boards. The Rough Riders clawed one back when Kyle Ficarella tucked home a pass from Brandon Witkop, and Courtney Ray made sure the Riders stayed close with a tap-in from Ficarella. But the Raptors leaned on what worked — Jurkiewicz struck again, completing his hat trick with help from Foltz, giving the Raptors a cushion they wouldn’t give up.
The third period turned into a name-check highlight reel. Witkop and Kapp combined for another Riders tally, but Jurkiewicz wasn’t done yet — his fourth goal of the night, unassisted, sealed a statement performance. Raza joined him in the hat trick club with two more, one off a slick dish from Foltz and another from Jurkiewicz himself. The Riders had one last spark as Witkop and Ficarella connected again, but the Raptors’ nine goals were more than enough to close out Week 4 with a roar.
Final: Raptors 9 – Rough Riders 5
Jurkiewicz (4 goals), Raza (3 goals), Foltz (1 goal), Witkop (2 goals), Ficarella (1 goal), Kapp (1 goal), Ray (1 goal).
Assists sprinkled across Raza, Foltz, Witkop, Ficarella, Kapp, and Victor Melendez Gonzalez.
Week 4 wraps with the Raptors riding high on names they’ll keep seeing all summer — and a Rough Riders squad that knows they’re never far from turning the next one their way.
Written by RFC Media Hub in collaboration with a custom chatGPT from OpenAI.
All content © Richmond Floorball Club Inc.
2025 SSL Week 3 Recap
Game 5 - Raptors 9, River Dogs 8
For thirty minutes, the River Dogs had it. A 6–3 lead. Balanced scoring. Heavy possession.
But then came the Raptors—and the third-period flood.
Sparked by a go-ahead goal from Matthew Dillard (his third of the night), the Raptors went on a tear. Steve Jurkiewicz followed with back-to-back tallies—his second came off a brilliant read and return pass from Andrew Copley. Katie Marshall got on the board again too, this time with Victor Melendez Gonzalez threading the needle for her finish. Before it was all said and done, the Raptors' wild comeback totalled six goals all in that final frame—an avalanche.
The Dogs did all they could. Dillard completed his hat trick, Malachy Cole picked up another crucial finish, and Aylla DeSantiago fed two assists in the middle frame that helped keep the River Dogs ahead heading into the third. George Heflin and Sean Lucas both battled for crucial pucks and kept the flow moving through the neutral zone.
But the Raptors just refused to go away.
From Murtaza Raza's setups to the calming presence of the Raptors net minder Tony London, who made some great saves throughout, this was a Raptors squad that didn’t panic. They adjusted. They surged. And in doing so, they secured a statement win—the kind you circle later in the season.
Game of the week? Maybe. Comeback of the season so far? No doubt.
Game 6 - Rough Riders 8, Polar Bears 3
From puck drop to final whistle, this one felt settled.
The Rough Riders, already riding high at 2–0, kept their foot on the gas with another composed, methodical win—this time over a Polar Bears team still struggling to string three periods together.
Jeremy Sacra opened the scoring with a low, quick strike, and rookie James Ice Den followed minutes later with a cool finish off a rebound for his first RFC tally. But it was the second period where the Riders made their mark—four goals, each one more deflating than the last.
Jacob Doucette was everywhere. Two second-period finishes, both clean, both earned, and then a third in the final frame to complete the hat trick. Brandon Witkop fed him beautifully on one of them, and then added a goal of his own, putting a stamp on his best outing of the summer. Duane Cooke added late pressure with a power finish from close range, and Parker McQuillan quietly posted two assists—key touches that opened lanes before the Bears could collapse.
On the other end, the Polar Bears kept working. Matt Sadarangani buried a sharp wrister in the second, Tom Hogan cleaned up a rebound in the third, and Ondrej Adamek drove possession through the middle even if it didn’t show on the scoresheet. There were flashes. But not enough to stop the wave.
And behind it all was Conor Fogarty. Steady, smart, unshaken in net. A couple of pad saves in the second preserved the lead when the Bears looked ready to push. That was all the Riders needed.
Three games. Three wins. First place.
The Riders are doing more than winning—they're dictating how the game is played.
Written by RFC Media Hub in collaboration with a custom chatGPT from OpenAI.
All content © Richmond Floorball Club Inc.
2025 SSL Week 2 Recap
Game 3
Rough Riders 6, River Dogs 5
Tuesday night’s clash between the Rough Riders and River Dogs wasn’t just close—it was charged. The Riders came out swinging and nearly ran away with it, but the Dogs snapped back late to make sure every second counted.
The opening period delivered in waves. Jeremy Sacra wasted no time, striking early to give the Riders a jump. Previn Graczyk answered with poise, sniping in a setup from Aylla DeSantiago. But that tie didn’t last long. Kyle Ficarella got loose in transition, and Brandon Witkop capped the period with a sharp finish off Sam Leone’s feed. Malachy Cole clawed one back, again thanks to Aylla’s vision, keeping the Dogs within 3–2.
The second belonged to the Riders—and to John Kapp. The floorballer with just about a year of floorball under his belt hit stride with a pair of clean finishes, one fed by Brandon, the other by Mag Prete who entered the score sheet in style. Jeremy then added his second, and just like that, it was 6–2. But the real backbone of the period was Conor Fogarty. Fighting through what looked like a lower-body injury, he stonewalled the River Dogs in net. No goals allowed. No let-up. His presence gave the Riders the breathing room they needed to take command.
But the River Dogs don’t go quietly. The third was all fight—and all Dominic Sadarangani. Just like in Week 1, the keeper dialed up a clutch final frame, standing tall against a flurry of Rough Rider chances. He was, once again, the lawn chair at the beach—sprawled out and in the right spot at the right time. Nick Baldaino’s goal—off Aylla’s third assist—lit the match. Previn grabbed his second to make it 6–4, and Greg’s late strike cut it to one. The Riders bent. But they didn’t break. Holding on to a 6–5 victory.
Game 4
Raptors 10, Polar Bears 7
With both squads coming off Week 1 losses, Game 4 wasn’t just a matchup—it was a statement. And it was the Raptors who made theirs loudest, riding a scorching first period and steady finish to outlast the Polar Bears 10–7. This game had firepower and felt like heavyweights throwing haymakers, especially later in the game.
The Raptors exploded out of the gate. Steve Jurkiewicz pounced early, scoring twice within minutes—first from Will Souder and then off a heads-up strip and return pass from Katie Marshall. Steve Foltz unleashed a slap shot courtesy of Karl Pereira, who orchestrated much of the opening rhythm. By the time Katie, Mathieu Lippens, and Karl himself joined the scoring sheet, the Raptors had rattled off six of the game’s first seven goals.
The Polar Bears leaned heavily on their familiar connection: Ondrej Adamark and Brandon Loughren. Adamark’s pair of one-timers kept the Bears from falling out completely. The bears had looks—clean passes, good movement—but couldn't get any more shots passed Raptors netminder Tony London when it counted. He was composed, standing tall during a stretch that could've tipped the balance. So instead the Raptors continued to build. Karl’s unassisted blast from the point was followed by more chemistry between Foltz and Lippens.
To their credit, the Polar Bears found their stride again. Brandon struck twice in under four minutes, each time fed beautifully—once by Zak Koenig, once by Matt Sadarangani. Lippens answered for the Raptors to complete his four-goal night, and Mat Bika added insurance. The Bears pushed hard, and with under a minute left, Tom Hogan cleaned up a rebound to make it 10–7. It was the final goal of the night, but it came just a bit too late.
STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK!
Written by RFC Media Hub in collaboration with a custom chatGPT from OpenAI.
All content © Richmond Floorball Club Inc.
2025 SSL Week 1 Recap
Game 1:
Rough Riders 9, Raptors 7
Tuesday night marked the start of something new—and something worth remembering.
In the first-ever RFC Summer Sizzle League game, the Rough Riders clawed back from an early deficit to claim a 9–7 win over the Raptors in a contest that never stayed still for long.
Katie Marshall wrote her name into league history just minutes in, netting the first official goal of the RFC era. That early spark helped the Raptors race out to a 3–1 lead by the end of the first period. With steady movement and sharp passing, they looked composed. Confident.
But the second period belonged to Sam Leone.
Four goals. One period. A game tied at five. Leone’s run wasn’t flashy—it was relentless. Duane Cooke fed two of them. Courtney Ray added another assist. And just like that, the Riders had life.
Momentum carried over into the third. Jacob Doucette knocked in the go-ahead goal early, setting the tone for a final stretch that would tilt red. Jeremy Sacra followed with two goals and a helper of his own, showing the kind of command you want when the game’s in the balance. And with the Raptors pressing late, Courtney Cooke found the empty net to close it out.
Still, the Raptors had their own rhythm. Murtaza Raza dished out three assists with a calm playmaker’s hand, while Steve Foltz and Matthew Bika each netted two goals to keep the pressure on. They didn’t let up. They just ran out of time.
This game had all the ingredients: history, swings, and performances that mattered. If Game 1 is any indication, this league is about more than just floorball—it’s about the kind of effort that earns its own kind of story.
Game 2:
River Dogs 8, Polar Bears 6
The second tilt of opening week kept the energy high at the Powhatan Ice Den—and this time, it was the River Dogs who dug in and surged late to take an 8–6 win over the Polar Bears.
The Bears came out sharp, backed by a dialed-in Alex Henderson between the pipes. He turned away everything in the first period, while Ondrej Adamek and Brandon Loughren capitalized up front to give their side a 2–0 lead heading into the second.
But the River Dogs didn’t stay quiet for long.
Malachy Cole opened his account with two second-period goals, setting the tone for what would become a hat trick night. George Heflin added another, and Aylla DeSantiago dished two assists as the River Dogs clawed their way back to a 3–3 tie by the end of the second.
The third was all about execution—and effort.
Matthew Dillard struck twice in tight space. Malachy completed his hat trick. Aylla DeSantiago stayed active, capping her night with a goal and a third assist. Nick Baldaino got in on the playmaking too, feeding two key setups during the closing stretch.
And then there was the Sadarangani showdown.
The story cannot be written without mention of the matchup we’ll see at least two more times this summer. In his first-ever floorball game, Matt Sadarangani was able to shoot one just over the extended arm of his goalie-brethren. With intentions to bring the sport to the Crimson Tide of Alabama this coming semester, Matt spoke of his key to success after the game, "I honestly was just playing NHL in my head and moving to the open spots." Fortune favors the simple genius.
But the former Seattle Sockeye’s goalie and head of International Relations at RFC, got the last word. Dom anchored the River Dogs with a series of clutch third-period saves. One diving stop had teammates calling him a "lawn chair at the beach"—sprawled out and in the right spot at the right time.
The Polar Bears kept it close with a second goal from Ondrej Adamek and strong shifts down the stretch, but the River Dogs' late push proved too much.
Both teams showed flashes of identity: the Bears with structure early, the Dogs with rally legs late. Through two games, the Sizzle League is already living up to its name.
Written by RFC Media Hub in collaboration with a custom chatGPT from OpenAI.
All content © Richmond Floorball Club Inc.
Let's Help Two International Exchange Students/Floorball Players Find a Home
RFC is excited to share a potential opportunity for a few young international students with which this community can hopefully assist. Richmond Floorball Club has partnered with CIEE — the Council on International Educational Exchange — the oldest and largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to building bridges between people and cultures. For more than 75 years, CIEE’s mission has been simple but powerful: to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.
This year, two amazing high school students — Martina from Spain and Marek from the Czech Republic (hyperlinked) — have been accepted into CIEE’s exchange program. They’re brave enough to leave home for a year to study in the U.S. and share their culture — and they just happen to be passionate floorball players who want to keep playing while they’re here.
RFC’s role is to be an amplifier. We’re not placing them directly, but we’re opening our network because we believe every young player deserves a chance to belong. If they find host families near Richmond, they’ll get to join our floorball family too — practicing, competing, and connecting with our community for a true sense of home away from home.
This is the kind of thing that reminds us what RFC really stands for: an inclusive culture, open doors, and more ways for everyone to play floorball — here in Richmond, across Virginia, and across borders too.
👉 Here’s how you can help:
Please share this email with friends, family, or neighbors — you never know who might say yes.
Spread the word on social media or over a cup of coffee — sometimes it just takes one conversation.
If you’re interested in learning more or exploring what hosting looks like, you can reach out directly to info@richmondfloorballclub.com or visit www.ciee.org/hostfamily.
RFC and CIEE both believe in making cultural exchange more accessible, and floorball is our way to help make that happen. Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of community strong and for making it easier for these students — and many more after them — to experience what it feels like to belong.
If you have any questions, you can always reach out to me directly or our general email. Let’s keep building a floorball community that’s open, generous, and ready to grow.
Richmond Floorball Club