Seattle Tempest erupts in celebration following the 2026 WUL Championship Game, beating San Diego Super Bloom by 5 points to earn their 3rd title. Photo credit: Griffin Stotland, WUL

SEATTLE TEMPEST CLAIMS THEIR 3RD TITLE WITH 13-8 WIN OVER SAN DIEGO

The heat and wind once again forced teams to earn every possession, but Seattle handled the conditions when it mattered most, pulling away for a 13-8 championship victory over San Diego and capturing the franchise's third WUL title.

Seattle wasted no time taking control, racing out to a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter despite the blustery conditions. Even then, San Diego found ways to keep the game within reach. The final point of the first quarter stretched nearly five minutes, featuring turnover after turnover as both offenses battled the wind. With time expiring, San Diego's Kaitlyn Weaver came up with a huge block on 2026 MVP Jamie Kauffman to deny Seattle another break and keep the deficit manageable.

That stop proved to be a turning point. San Diego clawed their way back in the second quarter, erasing the early deficit and tying the game at 6-6 with just over three minutes remaining before halftime. The teams entered halftime tied 7-7 after one of the game's most memorable moments: on a high-stall huck from San Diego's Kaela Helton intended for another receiver, Abbi Shilts exploded into the play with an incredible athletic grab for the score, electrifying the sideline.

The third quarter was a weather-driven grind. Wind altered throws, possessions stretched on through repeated turnovers, and clean offensive holds were hard to come by. Seattle thrived in the chaos, holding San Diego to just a single goal while slowly rebuilding separation to carry a 10-8 advantage into the fourth.

The knockout blow took time to arrive. Neither team found the end zone for nearly eight minutes to open the final quarter before Seattle's Kaitlynne Roling changed everything with a run-through block that immediately flipped into offense. Seconds later, Roling uncorked a huck assist to Julien Manzo for a break that broke the stalemate and all but broke San Diego's hopes.

From there, Seattle slammed the door shut. Their defense kept San Diego scoreless for the entire fourth quarter while the offense piled on the finishing touches, turning a tense two-goal game into a convincing 13-8 victory. In conditions that demanded patience and resilience, Seattle found another gear when it mattered most—and finished the season by lifting the championship trophy once again.