Week 1 Recap: Defense, Depth & Roster Changes Define WUL Opening Weekend

Opening weekend of the 2026 WUL season showcased a mix of returning dominance and evolving team identities. San Diego Super Bloom continued their championship form with a statement win over Bay Area, while Arizona Sidewinders controlled their home opener behind defensive pressure. Across all matchups, roster changes—especially in the handler space—played a major role as teams worked to establish chemistry early in the season.

Game 1: BAY @ SD

San Diego Pulls Away from Bay in Championship Rematch

San Diego Super Bloom opened their 2026 season with a dominating 22–14 win over Bay Area Falcons in the highly-anticipated rematch of the 2025 Championship Game. In a matchup between two title contenders navigating roster changes, Bay Area showed potential behind a retooled handler core, but San Diego’s defensive pressure and offensive chemistry left no room for error from Bay Area. Returning stars Kaela Helton, Kaitlyn Weaver (4 assists) and Abbi Shilts (6 goals) were only a small piece of the story for Super Bloom as they seemed to pick up where they left off at the end of last season. Across the field, Bay Area experienced the opposite as they struggled to integrate their new collection of talent. 

San Diego wasted no time setting the tone, earning a first point break with tight defensive pressure and quick transition offense. A highlight grab from Lexa Stambaugh sparked the opening score, with Cam Helm finishing the sequence to give Super Bloom an immediate edge.

Bay Area responded with composure by scoring a clean hold after the initial break. Led by Robin Fennig (4 assists) and Alex Barnett (3 goals, 2 assists), the Falcons worked patiently through San Diego’s sagging defensive looks, relying on handler resets and short throws to stabilize early possessions. Despite San Diego generating early breaks, Bay Area’s steady offense helped keep the game level, closing the first quarter tied 4–4.

In the second quarter, San Diego’s defensive identity began to take control. Mixing sag looks, poaches, and strong end-zone positioning, Super Bloom forced difficult decisions and created multiple short-field opportunities. On offense, San Diego spread the disc efficiently across the roster. Helton, Weaver, and Kelli Iwamoto facilitated clean movement, while Sanam Rozycki-Shah (2 goals, 2 assists) delivered standout plays, including multiple contested grabs in her WUL debut. Their chemistry gave San Diego the edge at half, leading Bay 10-8.

While Bay Area generated defensive stops and transition chances, they struggled to convert into goals, notching only three breaks during the game (and one of those coming in the final point when the game was out of reach). Super Bloom, however, capitalized on their chances, turning turnovers into quick scores and logging eleven breaks during the game. Big plays from Stambaugh (3 goals) in the deep space and continued chemistry among Super Bloom fueled the run, with the handler unit confidently driving their fast tempo.

Bay Area showed flashes, including a layout score from Utah Wild transfer Kendra Miller and continued defensive pressure from Vicki Chen and Margo Donahue, but missed connections, particularly on deep looks, limited their comeback chances. By the end of the third quarter, San Diego had built a multi-break cushion.

Bay Area kept fighting into the fourth quarter, with Barnett demonstrating her prowess to drive forward motion from the handler space, and Lexi Zalk (3 goals) providing key scoring contributions. However, the deficit proved too large to overcome as San Diego maintained control through the final minutes and Bay Area gave up four breaks in the final minutes of the game.

As the Falcons find ways to integrate their new stars, they will have the opportunity to meet preseason expectations as title contenders, but during this game it was San Diego who showed they have the chops to become the second WUL team to win back-to-back championships.

Game 2: UT @ AZ

Sidewinders Surge Past Wild 

The Arizona Sidewinders opened their 2026 season with a commanding 23–14 win over the Utah Wild in the second game of WUL opening weekend.

In a matchup between two teams coming off difficult 2025 campaigns, Arizona leaned on defensive pressure and returning chemistry, while Utah showcased flashes of promise behind a young, athletic roster.

Arizona established control from the opening points, using tight defensive coverage and quick transitions to build an early lead. Former Colorado Alpenglow captain Kristen Reed (3 goals, 2 blocks) and an injury-free Kody Lippincott (3 blocks) made immediate impacts on defense for AZ, generating blocks and short-field opportunities. Once the Sidewinders got possession, they moved efficiently, capitalizing on Utah miscues.

On offense, Arizona looked composed, with mainstay handlers Paige Applegate (5 assists) and Chip Chang (3 assists) orchestrating clean possessions and finding open space across the field. Fourteen different players scored a goal for the Sidewinders, as they used their depth and chemistry to make easy work of the Wild defense.

After a difficult start, Utah began to settle into the game. Despite fielding a roster with many new players, the Wild showed confidence pushing the pace and attacking deep space. Returners Eva Bell, 2024 BPOTY Abbie Davis, and Cassie Williams helped lead a more fluid offensive approach, using quick-release throws and aggressive cuts to challenge Arizona’s defense. Bell and Davis had huge games and truly carried the load for the Wild offense, Bell finishing with 4 assists and 692 total yards (4th most all-time in a single game), and Davis totaling 5 goals and 356 receiving yards (tied for 3rd most all-time in a single game).

By halftime, however, Arizona maintained a comfortable 12–5 lead. Utah showed more composure in the second half, finding success with deeper looks and faster offensive movement. Their willingness to throw into space created several scoring opportunities and highlighted the team’s athletic upside.

However, every push from Utah was met with a response from Arizona. They continued to generate pressure defensively, lead by Kez Gesell, while maintaining efficiency on offense. Big plays from 19-year-old rookie Maya Melner (whose triplet Taylor Melner also made her debut on Utah Wild that night), including multiple deep scores in her debut, helped keep momentum firmly on Arizona’s side.

While the final score of 23-14  gave Arizona their first win in 10 games, Utah demonstrated clear potential. Utah’s aggressive style and willingness to attack downfield created opportunities throughout the game. Their first game after the losses of veteran handlers 2023 OPOTY Paige Kercher and Kat Songer showed obvious gaps, but also signs of hope as the team’s many rookies saw their first minutes of playing time in a pro league.

Game 3: Bay @ LA

Falcons Hold Off Astra 

The 2026 Western Ultimate League season continued with its third game of Opening Weekend as the Bay Area Falcons defeated Los Angeles Astra 15–12 in a dynamic, hard-fought contest in Burbank. For Astra, this marked their return to the WUL after a two-year hiatus—following a season competing in the PUL—while the Falcons were looking to rebound after a loss to San Diego the day prior.

Bay Area came out composed and efficient, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a 3–0 lead. Their offense flowed smoothly, with Robin Fennig and Alex Barnett (3 assists) driving possession and creating high-percentage looks. Defensively, Dawn Culton (3 blocks) made an immediate impact. Her ability to read the disc, generate blocks, and spark transition offense helped the Falcons establish early control.

After a shaky start, Los Angeles began to settle in. Led by players Madee Shade, Chip Yen, and Nadine Meister, Astra improved their offensive patience and spacing. The team showed strong chemistry despite the long absence from the league, working through resets and creating opportunities across the field. By halftime, they had trimmed the deficit, but Bay Area still held a 10–7 lead.

The second half saw a shift in momentum as wind conditions intensified and both teams tightened defensively. Clean offensive sequences became harder to come by, with longer possessions, layout attempts, and forced turnovers defining the pace. Astra’s defensive pressure—highlighted by standout plays from Malia Smith (2 blocks)—helped keep the game within reach but floaty throws and bumbled passes set Astra on their heels. 

Bay Area consistently capitalized on those key moments. Their ability to convert turnovers quickly and maintain composure under pressure allowed them to preserve their lead.

Despite the loss, Astra showed clear signs of potential for 2026. Notably, LA returner Karli Steiner (3 assists) commanded respect in the second half with pinpoint throws and a monster 40 yard cross field hammer score to Parissa Teli. Their ability to adjust mid-game, apply defensive pressure, and stay competitive against a top-tier opponent highlights a strong foundation moving forward.

Astra closed the game with a final score to bring it to 15–12, underscoring their resilience, while Bay bounced back from their San Diego loss to finish the weekend 1-1. 

2026 Season Preview

By Noam Gummerman
WUL Lead Writer

The 2026 Western Ultimate League season is just days away, kicking off with a 2025 WUL Championship Game rematch between last year’s winners San Diego Super Bloom, and runners-up, Bay Area Falcons. Both teams and the league as a whole have undergone significant changes over the past nine months. Between the return of Los Angeles Astra (and with them, an eight-team league), seismic cross-country roster moves, and everything in between, here is your primer on a very exciting fifth season of the WUL!

New This Season:

The biggest news of the offseason is the return of Los Angeles Astra to the Western Ultimate League. After a year away in the Premier Ultimate League (PUL), they’re back, bringing the number of teams in the WUL back to eight and re-introducing four-team conferences. The Northwest Conference will consist of Colorado Alpenglow, Oregon Soar, Seattle Tempest, and Utah Wild. The Southwest Conference will contain Arizona Sidewinders, Bay Area Falcons, Los Angeles Astra, and San Diego Super Bloom. Each team will play an eight-game schedule: two games against non-conference opponents on top of six games against their own conference (two against each team). The top two teams in each conference will qualify for Championship Weekend, June 13-14.

Arizona Sidewinders

State of the team: Sidewinders are coming into 2026 on the back of a 1-11 record across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. 2025 was especially rough, going winless with a league-worst -50 goal differential and generating just 12 breaks across six games. They return 21 players to the roster, though, so they will be banking on their chemistry and a few key additions to their roster to take a step forward in 2026.

Player to watch: Kristen Reed joins Arizona from Colorado Alpenglow, looking to make a big impact. In her one full year of action with CO, she scored 21 goals (top 3 in the league), recorded eight blocks, and racked up over 1700 yards. Reed is one of just three players in WUL history to score seven goals in a single game (Abby Thorpe (CO), Alex Diaz (SD)). A downfield threat like Reed could alleviate some of the pressure Sidewinders’ handlers have faced from opposing defenses and allow the Arizona offense to operate more cleanly.

X Factor: Kody Lippincott recorded 14 blocks in 2023, but has only been able to play two regular-season games since due to injury. Arizona sorely missed Lippincott last season, generating just 46 blocks, the fewest in the league by over 20. Like Reed, Lippincott’s downfield ability on both sides of the disc has the potential to make a big impact and help Arizona finally take a big step forward in 2026.

Bay Area Falcons

State of the team: The Falcons were just two points away from a first-ever WUL championship last year, on their home turf to boot. They could’ve taken the offseason easy, run it back with virtually the same roster, and trusted their ability to grow and improve as a team. Instead, the Falcons brought in a haul of new talent, including some big names from the East Coast and PUL. With those new additions to a strong returning foundation, they are the favorites to finally claim that WUL title in 2026.

Player to watch: While Dawn Culton may be the most decorated player making her debut for Bay Area Falcons (and WUL) in 2026, Alex Barnett is the player who may unlock the most for this Falcons squad. Barnett led the PUL’s Raleigh Radiance to an appearance in their Championship Game last season and finished in the top ten of the PUL for completions, assists, and throwing yards – all with a 98% completion rate. Barnett’s throwing prowess may only be outdone by her new teammate, returning Falcon and 2025 MVP nominee, Robyn Fennig. Pairing them will give teams playing Bay Area a rough day, no matter the conditions. 

X Factor: Malina Wiebe currently has the highest career goals-per-game average in the league, averaging 3.3 goals across 30 career games. She also racked up seven goals and 350 receiving yards at Championship Weekend. However, Wiebe has never played more than three regular-season games in a season. If she’s available for the full season, Wiebe will surely benefit from the extra attention getting paid to Bay Area’s new stars, and is a darkhorse candidate to lead the league in goals this year.

Colorado Alpenglow 

State of the team: After a 6-0 regular season in 2026, Colorado Alpenglow looked poised to become the second team to win back-to-back WUL Championships. Two disappointing games later, and they finished fourth instead of lifting the trophy once again. In the offseason, there has been some roster shuffling, but with the dust settling, Alpenglow looks set for another strong season this year.

Player to watch: Colorado has plenty of players who have put up big numbers in the past and will continue to in 2026. But one player who deserves some more attention is Bristol Lovoy, who put up one of the most dominant defensive cutting performances in 2025. Lovoy is one of an army of athletic Alpenglow players who routinely cause downfield matchup nightmares for their opponents. Last year, Lovoy tied for second in the league with 14 goals scored as a D-line player. She added five assists and over 1100 total yards with 15% usage as a cutter.

X Factor: Maggie O’Connor joins the Alpenglow for the first time in 2026, which marks her third team in the WUL. In 2022 and 2023, O’Connor was an OPOTY finalist with Astra. She is one of three players to rank in the top-10 single-season in both goals (18 in 2022) and assists (19 in 2023), but since those years has not recorded 10 goals or assists in a season. At her best, she is a field-warping offensive threat. Should O’Connor recapture her 2022 and 2023 magic, a pairing with Alpenglow’s strong handler core could rival the Falcons.

Los Angeles Astra

State of the team: Los Angeles Astra enters the season with a clean WUL slate. After halting operations in 2024 and a year in the PUL in 2025, Astra is largely an unknown quantity. They went 1-5 in the PUL last year, struggling against the cross-country competition. But they enter a Southwest Conference that has a San Diego team with some notable roster turnover, and an Arizona team looking to find its footing. Just about anything is on the table for this squad this year.

Player to watch: Avalon Igawa was a 2023 DPOTY Finalist and All-WUL Second Team selection in Astra’s last year in the WUL. In each WUL season she’s played, Igawa has averaged 2 blocks per game while primarily guarding handlers. In a conference that seems to be gearing up for a handler arms race, Igawa’s ability as a stopper in that space will prove critical for Astra in their return to the WUL.

X Factor: Chip Yen was Astra’s leading goal scorer last season in the PUL with 12 across six games. Yen also cashed in 11 goals in 2023, her last season in the WUL, good for a top-25 spot league-wide. Astra needs to find building-block players to center their play around to find sustained success this year, and if Yen can continue to be a consistent end-zone threat, it will open up more opportunities for her and Astra as a whole to succeed this season.

Oregon Soar

State of the team: Oregon Soar enters their second season in the WUL, still searching for their first win as a franchise after finishing 0-6 in 2025. Despite that, there was a lot to like from Soar’s first season. Nearly a full roster made their pro debut, and they hung tough and nearly pulled off several stunning comebacks against some of the league’s best teams. This year they bring back a solid core of returners, and some extra experience who played on Oregon Onyx in the first couple of years of the league. It’s a wide-open Northwest Conference. Oregon, Utah, and Seattle will all believe they can compete for a spot at Championship Weekend even if Colorado remains dominant in the regular season. Soar will have plenty of opportunities for that first win and more this year.

Player to watch: Noelle Takahashi was, without a doubt, one of the brightest spots on the season for Soar last year. Takahashi was a 2025 Breakout Player of the Year finalist in her rookie campaign, finishing second on the team in assists (nine) and blocks (eight). Takahashi’s aggressiveness as a thrower and defender led to highlight reel action on both sides of the disc. Takahashi’s long experience playing in the club division at a high level will also provide critical leadership for a team still lacking the same level of pro experience as many of the other rosters in the league.

X Factor: Captain Rachel Egan has played every pro season in Oregon’s history and brings meaningful contributions on both sides of the disc. Over the past two Oregon pro seasons, she has transitioned to playing a meaningful number of offensive and defensive points, rather than her earlier role exclusively on defense. Egan is an elite block getter, even when taking on the toughest matchups the other team has to offer. Given her ability to contribute goals, assists, and blocks (15/5/13 all-time), just a couple extra of each across the board in big-time moments would push the Soar to new heights.

San Diego Super Bloom

State of the team: San Diego Super Bloom finally got over the hump in 2025, winning the WUL Champions after three straight seasons falling just short. With the gold, has the pressure lifted for this group? Or will they be just as hungry to repeat as they were for their first title? Franchise cornerstone Dena Elimelech moved cross-country to the PUL’s Atlanta Soul, but Super Bloom brought in plenty of reinforcements to reload for another title charge. Their competition will be steeper than ever before, but this Super Bloom core has climbed the mountain more recently than any other group in the league, and will be able to lean on that experience when things get tough.

Player to watch: Abbi Shilts had one of the quieter statistically dominant seasons last year in just her second pro season in the WUL. Shilts put up five goals, eight assists, and five blocks with just two turnovers across four games of action last year. Shilts will have even more space to work on cutting with the departure of Elimelech. If she can achieve that level of efficiency across a full season’s worth of volume, Shilts could find herself in OPOTY conversations by the time the season comes to a close. 

X Factor: Kristen Pojunis was the league’s first Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, leading the league in blocks, and playing every single game on her way to that honor. In the years since, Pojunis has missed at least one game each year, and only managed three blocks in three games played in 2025. Matching the missing production from last year’s roster is the name of the game for Super Bloom in 2026, and return to 2022 form for Pojunis would go a long way to putting San Diego in championship conversations once again.

Seattle Tempest 

State of the team: Seattle Tempest have been in a transitionary period for a couple seasons now, and once again are experiencing some notable roster overhaul. Unlike last year, this year they get to build off a Championship Weekend appearance in the previous season and will set their sights even higher in 2026. In a crowded Northwest Conference, the program that always seems to find a way to be successful will surely be one of the favorites to make Championship Weekend for a fourth time in five years.

Player to watch: Cheryl Hsu will take on an even bigger role as a Tempest anchor with the departure of Sadie Jezierski to the PUL’s New York Gridlock. Hsu will likely add to her team records as the Tempest’s all-time leader in assists and yards with another season pulling all the strings on offense. She’s thrown for at least ten assists in three of her four seasons in the WUL, and had a career high 30% usage rate in 2025, a mark that could rise this year even higher. Hsu is the kind of player that can handle high volumes of work very efficiently, but just how efficient she can be at the center of the opponent’s game plans will dictate a lot about this team.

X Factor: Drea Baroma is the Tempest’s all-time leading receiver, increasing her output each and every year from 2022 through 2025. Last year she accumulated over 1000 yards for the first time across her regular and postseason output. Despite all that production, she still hasn’t had a monster breakout year to put her in contention for any end-of-season awards or All-WUL selections. If she continues her upward trajectory, especially in light of Seattle looking a bit thin with returning scorers, Baroma is poised for a big year.

Utah Wild

State of the team: Utah Wild had a rough 1-5 season last year, only finding a win against winless Arizona, and immense roster turnover heading into 2026. Just eight returners means Wild will be low on institutional knowledge of their identity and league play as a whole, but at the same time have the opportunity to start building something new that can take them back to Championship Weekend in years to come. While this will likely be a rebuilding year for the program, Utah has pulled off some Cinderella runs before and shouldn’t be slept on.

Player to watch: Abbie Davis had a huge rookie season in 2024, winning BPOTY, being named a DPOTY finalist and Second Team All-WUL, and finishing second in the league in blocks with 13. In 2025, she joined a Wild O-line that never really found their footing, and as a result, her statistical output didn’t match that of the previous year. But with a gutted Wild cutting core over the offseason, Davis will likely be option number one downfield for 2026, and will have a big impact once again this year.

X Factor: Eva Bell is coming off of a great rookie season in 2025. She recorded eight goals and five assists against just five turnovers, an impressive level of efficiency for a player so young. Coming into her second year, she could be primed for a star turn as an impactful cutter, following in the footsteps of Davis two years ago.

Los Angeles Astra Announces Return to WUL for 2026 Season

Los Angeles Astra Announces Return to Western Ultimate League for 2026 Season

Astra will rejoin the west-coast based league after one season in the Premier Ultimate League

[LOS ANGELES, CALIF., October 22, 2025] – The Western Ultimate League (WUL) is excited to welcome back Los Angeles Astra for the 2026 season. After competing in the Premier Ultimate League (PUL) during the 2025 season, Astra returns to the  WUL, where they previously competed in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Founded in 2019, Astra quickly became a staple of professional ultimate in Los Angeles, competing in two full seasons before joining the PUL under new ownership. Their return to the WUL ensures the team can once again compete on the West Coast, allowing players and fans alike to engage more closely with regional rivals.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Astra back to the WUL,” said WUL Board Member Aly Steinfeld. “Los Angeles has always been a hub for ultimate, and having Astra competing against West Coast teams again makes sense for players, fans, and the long-term growth of the organization.”

During their season with the PUL, Astra represented the west coast while competing primarily against east coast and midwest-based teams. While the team found success there, both leagues recognize that returning to a geographically aligned conference is a natural step forward.

“We are proud that Astra joined us this past season,” said PUL Representative, Janel Venzant. “Astra brought a great energy and competitiveness to the league that we look forward to seeing them carry with them to the WUL.”

For Astra, the 2026 season will mark not only a return to the WUL, but also a chance to build upon their legacy in Los Angeles.

“This next chapter is an exciting one for us,” said LA Astra Co-Owner Liz Gupta-Harrison. “We’re extremely grateful for our time in the PUL, but we're thrilled to be back at home on the West Coast” 

Astra will join established WUL teams in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and California. With eight teams in 2026, the WUL will return to conference play for the first time since 2023.

Don’t miss out - get your 2026 Los Angeles Astra gear from our Official Jersey Partner Breakmark!

About Western Ultimate League

Western Ultimate League was established in 2020 to advance the sport of ultimate frisbee by showcasing and amplifying women and non-binary athletes. Recognizing the privilege that got us here, our mission is to: Increase accessibility, promote the visibility of underrepresented athletes, cultivate a culture of inclusion and equity, and use our influence and platform to broaden the spaces where our sport grows and develops.

Interested in becoming a sponsor or supporter of Western Ultimate League? Contact marketing@westernultimateleague.com. 

About Los Angeles Astra

Los Angeles Astra is a professional women’s and non-binary ultimate frisbee team based in Los Angeles. The name Astra comes from the Latin word for star, reflecting both Los Angeles’s storied entertainment heritage and the team’s aspiration to shine brightly in the competitive landscape.  Astra’s goal is to champion the growth of ultimate as a premier sport by uplifting underrepresented athletes, inspiring fans, and connecting the game from grassroots to the professional stage. You can learn more about Los Angeles Astra at www.losangelesastra.com.