Welsh Family's hopes for a successful season came to an abrupt halt on Sept. 25, before it really even got a chance to begin.
The team looked to redeem itself after a brutal loss to Pasquerilla West in the season opener. The 4 p.m. game against McGlinn was sure to be a new beginning for the Whirlwinds.
There was only one problem — the game was really at three.
After a phone call from the McGlinn coach inquiring whether the Whirlwinds were forfeiting, the Welsh Fam squad rushed to the field, ready to play even without their traditional pre-game warm-up. Nonetheless, they were late.
The referees then offered McGlinn two options: play the game, or force Welsh Family to forfeit. The Shamrocks chose the forfeit.
"We were all pretty heated," sophomore center Kaitlyn Cole said. "One girl's parents changed their flight just to see this game. It was beyond frustrating."
After Welsh Family was assessed the loss, the two teams then proceeded to scrimmage — without referees and without keeping score.
"We didn't go in with the right mindset because, really, (the game) didn't matter," Cole said. "It got pretty intense. Girls were playing in positions they shouldn't have been. The whole thing was ridiculous."
