2026 Semi-Finals Preview: Every Team Has a Case. Only One Gets the Trophy.

Meg Manning, Abby Thorpe, Abbi Shilts and Bridget Wipfler are all poised to make a big impact for their respective teams at Championship Weekend in Portland this weekend.

Championship Weekend brings together a field with very little separating it. Every team in attendance spent the regular season proving they belong, and now each has a legitimate path to the title. A combined record of 25-7 shows both their dominance and is proof that anyone can win. Each team at this event has only lost to other teams in attendance. Will San Diego have the firepower down the roster to take home a repeat title? Can Seattle prove they’re back to being the best with some new additions? Will Colorado buck the regular season narrative and punch above their weight? Or will this year finally be the year Bay Area breaks through to bring home their first WUL Championship? 

Catch the action on the WUL YouTube page or even travel to Portland, OR to cheer your team on in person!

Semifinal 1 - June 13 @ 2:00pm PT
Seattle Tempest vs Bay Area Falcons

These two teams haven’t played since the regular season in 2025, when Seattle eeked out a 12-10 win on the road. Now, both teams have added key components to their roster and had a full season to build chemistry. Three of the five OPOTY finalists (Cheryl Hsu for Seattle with Robyn Fennig and Alex Barnett for Bay Area) will be playing in this game, so fans can expect dynamic offensive lines that can work through different defensive looks.

This year, Tempest has scored more goals (177 to 149), earned more blocks (130 to 116), and earned almost 30% more breaks than the Falcons (85 to 64). However, most of that difference can be accounted for from a single blowout Seattle had against the Wild. One differentiator we can trust is Seattle’s tendency to huck. On offense, you never know if Hsu (17/20 on hucks this season) is about to unleash a full field throw with plenty of star receivers downfield including BPOTY finalist Gemma Munck (21G, 7A), returning star Kaitlynne Roling (threw a record nine assists in a single game), and athletic mainstay Drea Baroma (10G, 9A). Additionally, while MVP finalist Jamie Kauffman (24G, 29A - led the league in both categories) and DPOTY finalist Meg Manning (19G, 9A) have primarily played defensive points this season, they both have crossed over to the O-line plenty of times and had success. Seattle has plenty of firepower they can throw out on offense if the game gets tight.

Bay Area, on the other hand, plays more of a small-ball type of offense, often relying on their star handler duo of Barnett (13G, 12A) and Fennig (3G, 18A) to work the disc up the field. During the regular season, they averaged 7.8 completions per scoring possession - the highest number in the league - while Seattle averaged the lowest at 6.0. The contrast between Seattle’s high-paced offense and the Falcon’s more deliberate attack will be fascinating to watch. First year Falcons like Dawn Culton (4G, 6A, 11B) and Bridget Wipfler (12G, 9A, 14B) bring energy to an already veteran defensive line including Eliza Pugh (3G, 12A, 4B), Eliza Chang (4G, 1A, 4B), and Lily Steponaitis (1G, 5A, 6B) who have the chemistry with years of consistency for the Falcons.

Why Seattle will win:

Seattle has played this entire season with no fear and a deep, experienced roster. They boast a finalist in every end-of-season award category, and they have even more players who have shown up in big ways. Lauren Page and Anna Pettee are two of the best lock-down defenders in the league. Ciona Antolin (a former gymnast) has exploded onto the scene with high pressure defense capped with athletic bids and a big vertical. Brogan Jones is the maestro of Seattle’s D-line offense off the turn - she’s completed all 10 of her huck attempts this season.

Why Bay Area will win:

Bay Area also is the only team this season to have bested San Diego, showing they have the depth to match a team like Seattle (who suffered an at home loss to San Diego). If the Falcons can keep up their patience to chip away at yards with smart decisions, they boast the second best Red Zone Efficiency in the league and could demonstrate the discipline to convert possessions into points and points into a semi-finals win.

Semifinal 2 - June 13 @ 5:15pm PT

San Diego Super Bloom vs Colorado Alpenglow

Every MVP crowned in WUL history comes from either Super Bloom or Alpenglow and they’ve taken home the most recent WUL Titles - San Diego in 2025 and Colorado in 2024 (just their second year as a team). Each of these teams has strong foundations and top talent, as well as a knack for utilizing a horizontal stack to stretch the depth of the field (San Diego threw the most hucks of any team in the regular season).

San Diego started this season without missing a beat from their title win in 2025, this time stunning the Bay Area with an eight point victory. Throughout the season, San Diego has remained almost perfect, their only loss to Bay Area when they rematched later in the season. Helton has been relatively quiet, playing with an injury throughout only six games, but still has played the third most points on the team at 114, behind only Katilyn Weaver and Kristen Pojunis (133 and 126, respectively, with MVP finalist Abbi Shilts only playing 106 points over the season). These three represent some of the highest two-way talent on Super Bloom, which seems to be their preferred method of play, shirking traditional offensive and defensive lines when they have the personnel. Super Bloom have shown the ability to rely on over a dozen players, allowing whomever happens to be open on any given point to take over. Eight different players have scored three or more goals in a game, and seven different players have thrown three or more assists. Helton (7G, 16A, 8B), Pojunis (4G, 22A, 10B), Weaver (9G, 16A, 7B) and Shilts (16G, 7A, 9B) are only the loudest parts of San Diego’s success. Kelli Iwamoto (2G, 6A, 4B) and Rebeca Ellis (6G, 9A, 5B) rank for the top two most throws on the team, showing their ability to possess the disc through any difficulty. Super Bloom again and again relied on these veterans to find a way to keep possessions alive (including no look backhands and lefty scoobers from former OPOTY Iwamoto). 

On the other side of the field, Colorado seems primed to match San Diego’s penchant for the deep game. The rest of the league has caught onto Ari Nelson’s absolute cannon of an arm, and through deliberate handler and cutter defense, limited their ability to punish other teams this season. They still easily lead the team with 28 assists (plus 4G and 2B). Nelson’s partner in crime, Abby Thorpe, sits second in assists with 20 (plus 22G and 9B). Even if San Diego manages to limit these two, Colorado adds new threat and BPOTY finalist Kennedy McCarthy (20G, 13A, 10B) to their offense along with veterans Allysa Dixon (4G, 16A, 2B) and Sarah Levinn (7G, 3A, 2B). Colorado’s chemistry includes their ability to seemingly throw to no one and come up with a positive result. Their offensive firepower is only half the story, as their defense has leveled up this year with the addition of DPOTY finalist Sarah Itoh (15G, 3A, 19B) moved over  from the offensive line, plus newcomers Alexandra Guy (8G, 2A, 7B) and Maggie O’Connor (5G, 7A, 3B). Colorado can match the top end of San Diego, but can they meet their energy and depth for a full four quarters?

Why San Diego will win:

Recent history. These two teams have played each other already this season in an 18-16 Super Bloom win back on May 16 in San Diego. Colorado was able to compete for 44 of the 48 minutes played, but Super Bloom took advantage of a few miscues late in in the first quarter, and once they took the lead, they stayed there comfortably. San Diego’s depth of roster should scare every team heading into this weekend, but it is a particularly tough matchup for Colorado who relies more on their top talent. If San Diego comes into Championship Weekend with a healthy roster and a focus on possession, they’re easy favorites to move forward into the final.

 Why Colorado will win:

Colorado has not looked as consistently dominant as San Diego has, and will have to overcome the odds to pull off the win this weekend and return to the Championship Game. Colorado has lost to every other team at Championship Weekend - does that give them an advantage? In Alpenglow’s regular season loss to San Diego, they went just 2/17 on break opportunities, despite posting a respectable 35% conversion rate on the year. It seems deeply unlikely that Colorado will perform as poorly as the first time around against Super Bloom. And while they may be entering the game as underdogs, Colorado has the weapons to compete with any team out there. They are led by the most dynamic offensive duo in the league at the helm of Nelson and Thorpe. Nelson and Thorpe took their game to the next level this year, finishing first (Thorpe) and third (Nelson) in total yards, with Thorpe having over 40 combined goals and assists, while Nelson finished with nearly 30 assists. Additions of McCarthy and O’Connor, backed by veterans Itoh and Dixon, have had huge impacts on Alpenglow this season. It’s brutally difficult to beat a team twice in a short period of time, and an offense that is just a fraction more efficient on O and D points could very well mean Colorado is headed to the final instead.

Speagle Has Breakout Game in Week 12; CW Teams Rest Up To Prepare For Finals

Arizona's Madison Speagle earns Week 12 Player of the Week honors after a career-high 5-goal performance against San Diego Super Bloom, adding 3 blocks and 0 turns in a dominant two-way showing.

This weekend brings a league-wide bye, giving teams one final chance to recover, regroup, and prepare for Championship Weekend as the race for the 2026 WUL title reaches its conclusion.

WUL Week 12 Player of the Week:
Madison Speagle (Arizona Sidewinders)

Madison Speagle (AZ) is all smiles as she takes the field in Arizona. (Photographer: Nathan Brodie)

In Arizona’s battle with San Diego Super Bloom, Madison Speagle was everywhere, accounting for 5 of the Sidewinders’ 8 goals while adding 3 blocks and committing zero turns. Her 5 -goal performance marked a new career high, while the 3 blocks matched her personal best, making it one of the most complete two-way performances of the season.

When Arizona needed a playmaker, Speagle delivered. When they needed a defensive stop, Speagle delivered that too.

The breakout game was the latest milestone in a rapid rise for one of the Sidewinders’ most reliable contributors. Speagle finished the season as the team's second leading goal scorer and tied for the lead in blocks.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

No Games June 6-7 | Championship Weekend Ahead

The regular season is in the books, and the WUL schedule takes a brief pause before the league's biggest weekend arrives.

With Championship Weekend set for June 13–14, the league's final four have one last opportunity to rest, recover, and fine-tune their game plans before chasing a WUL title. Months of work have led to this moment, and the road to a championship is down to just two days of high-stakes ultimate.

Whether you're making plans to be there in person or tuning in from afar, now's the time to secure your Championship Weekend tickets or make plans to stream every game live.

Outside Looking In: What Separates the Top Four From Everyone Else?

Los Angeles Astra, Oregon Soar, Arizona Sidewinders and Utah Wild did not qualify for 2026 Championship Weekend.

By Noam Gumerman
WUL Lead Writer

The 2026 Western Ultimate League Championship Weekend field is set! All four teams that qualified for 2026 Championship Weekend (Bay Area, Colorado, San Diego, and Seattle) are repeats from 2025, and finished undefeated against the four who did not (Arizona, Los Angeles, Oregon, and Utah). So what’s kept the bottom four teams in the league a step or two behind? Which of these four teams has the easiest path to Championship Weekend in 2027? What should each group work on in this offseason to take them there?

Arizona Sidewinders (3-5)

Three wins in 2026 are a huge success for Arizona, eclipsing its combined total of wins in 2024 and 2025. Despite their success this year, this roster had the potential to achieve more.Two games stick out for the Sidewinders, which, if a handful of points had gone differently, could have ended up with Arizona still in contention for Champ Weekend rather than having nothing to play for in their 20-8 blowout loss to San Diego in Week 12. Those games were a 19-16 loss to Oregon in Week 8, and a 17-15 loss to Bay Area in Week 10.

In Week 10, Sidewinders traded blows with the Falcons the entire game. They had the disc with a 13-12 lead in the fourth quarter and missed on an open huck to take a late two-goal lead. Falcons equalized immediately after and then forced a short field turnover on the next Sidewinders possession that resulted in a break and put away the game for good. Short field turnovers were the big killer, with Arizona turning this disc over five times inside their own brick mark, while Bay Area did so just once. In their tight loss to Oregon a few weeks prior, they also had more turnovers in their own red zone than Oregon did. Had Arizona played the field position game just a little better over those two games, it’s possible they’d have been in the hunt for a playoff spot. They’ve proven this core is capable of more than they demonstrated in 2024 and 2025. But their prospects in 2027 depend on their ability to grow into playing a full four quarters of ultimate on both sides of the disc, and to avoid the mental lapses that give other teams short fields. 

Overall, Arizona showed their chemistry throughout the season after returning the most players of any 2026 roster. This was on full display in their home opener where they soundly beat Utah Wild by 9 points. Back this year after injury were stars Kez Gesell and Kody Lippincott, helping give Arizona some of the punch they needed. Next year, Sidewinders will need the middle portion of the roster to step up and deliver the consistency they’ll need to earn a win against the top half of the league.

Los Angeles Astra (1-7)

Despite a 1-7, last-place finish in the Southwest Conference, and being out of the playoff hunt for most of the season, there are some positive signs suggesting Astra could improve their record significantly next season. For starters, they haven’t been blown away by any teams to an extreme extent so far, unlike their last-in-conference counterparts in Utah. In fact, most of the league has been beaten equal to or more than Los Angeles with Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and Bay Area all losing a game by at least eight points (Astra’s worst loss) on the year. Not to mention that Los Angeles pushed each of their conference rivals very hard in one of their two meetings this year, losing by one goal to each Arizona and San Diego, and by three to the Bay Area. Not bad results for a team just returning to WUL play. 

It’s clear that this team has the talent to compete for a spot at Championship Weekend if a couple more things go their way. Most notable on the list of things to improve is their D-line offensive efficiency. Perhaps no metric is as indicative of a team’s overall success as their ability to efficiently punch in break opportunities, and it was a real struggle for Los Angeles to do so in 2026. In their one-point loss to Championship Weekend qualifiers San Diego Super Bloom, Astra converted just three of 17 break opportunities in the game. Over the season, they converted only 21.4% of their break opportunities – second to last in the league. That being said, Astra came into the season with a roster largely made up of rookies. Now that they have a year under their belts, their experience should lead to better execution and more chemistry in 2027.

Oregon Soar (3-5)

Like Arizona, Oregon was just a couple close games away from being in the Championship Weekend conversation. Their two-game swing that would’ve changed the course of the season was their series against Colorado Alpenglow, where they lost both games by a combined six points. There weren’t any glaring weaknesses in the Soar’s game in either of those contests. Just small moments around the edges that allowed Colorado to pull away late in both games. In fact, looking at the Soar’s inaugural season to this season, there’s improvement in nearly every statistical area. They’re scoring 60% points more than they did in 2025, giving up about one fewer goal per game, holding nearly twice as often, gaining more yards, and turning it over less. 

One of the only numbers they haven’t improved on is break percentage. They’re sitting at that same ~28% mark they were at last year, and their inability to convert opportunities they generate is part of the equation that kept them out of Championship Weekend this year. The Soar remain one of the more inexperienced teams in the WUL with half the roster new to pro, and it has shown at times. They remain near the middle or towards the bottom of the league in most statistics (although, interestingly, they lead the league in huck completion percentage). Most concerningly, despite a big increase in their hold percentage, they are still second-worst in the league this season. Additionally, they also held the second-to-last O-line Defensive Efficiency in the WUL, indicating a struggle to regain possession of the disc once it’s lost. But as they build continuity and comfort playing together at the pro level, we can expect bigger and better things, like the strides Arizona has made over the last year or so.

Utah Wild (0-8)

Not much has gone right for Utah this year, as they were the WUL’s lone winless team in 2026. Wild had the deck stacked against them from the jump, replacing more than half of their roster from last year and starting fresh with a team full of pro ultimate rookies. Utah Wild were notably on the wrong side of WUL history earlier this year, when they were decimated by Seattle in that 37-10 game that saw the Tempest set several league records. The closest game they’ve been in all year was a 19-14 loss to Oregon early in the season. While they are generally the league-low number in most stats this year, the worst was break percentage, sitting at just over 12%, one of the lowest marks recorded in WUL history. With just 12 breaks total across eight games played, they’ve posted an all-time low number of breaks recorded per game across an entire season.

Despite the rough season, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom. Despite their inability to finish break chances, it’s not for lack of opportunity. Utah has forced opponents into the second-most errors while running multiple zone looks this year. WUL teams that can master a good zone have proven that it can be part of a winning formula in this league (see San Diego in 2025). If the Wild can figure out a way to lower the sheer numbers of offensive points played, and return their handler core, it’s possible that’s all Utah will need to find more success in 2027.

Week 12 Preview: Nothing Left To Clinch. Plenty Left To Prove.

Seattle Tempest, Colorado Alpenglow, San Diego Super Bloom, and Bay Area Falcons have all punched their tickets to Championship Weekend, turning the final Saturday of the 2026 regular season into something rare: a week where teams can breathe… while still having plenty left to fight over.

Seeding remains unsettled. Rivalries are still simmering. A few teams would love nothing more than to end someone else’s regular season on a loss. With four games spread across one final Saturday night, the regular season still has a few twists left in it before the postseason arrives.

---

sea @ la

Seattle Tempest already locked up the Northwest’s top playoff spot, which makes this matchup one of the weekend’s more interesting wild cards.

With Championship Weekend ahead, Seattle suddenly has options. Rest players? Tighten rotations? Experiment with lines? After grinding through another elite regular season, Tempest can afford to absorb a loss here and still hold onto the conference’s top seed.

Astra have spent much of 2026 chasing consistency, flashing explosive offense one week and struggling to string together a complete performance the next – but overall they’ve played teams tighter than expected. LA’s tenacity and Seattle’s possible roster rotation on the road could open the door for Astra to make things uncomfortable.

co @ ut

Colorado Alpenglow head into the final weekend with their playoff spot secured and very little urgency in the standings.

Like Seattle, Colorado can likely survive a loss here without damaging their postseason position. But with nothing to lose, Utah Wild will come hungry in front of a home crowd.

Utah’s physical defensive pressure and willingness to grind possessions could make Colorado’s trip to Salt Lake into a much scrappier contest than the records suggest. If Alpenglow takes their foot off the gas even slightly, Wild have enough firepower to make this interesting quickly.

And for Utah, knocking off a playoff team in the final week would be a statement worth carrying into 2027.

or @ bay

Bay Area Falcons enter the weekend with a playoff berth secured and a real shot at climbing even higher in the postseason picture. Oregon Soar has developed a habit this season of making games closer than expected.

Several teams have entered matchups expecting comfortable wins against Oregon only to find themselves dragged into close matchups and momentum swings that refuse to disappear. Soar’s defensive energy and intelligence have kept them competitive in stretches all season long, even when results haven’t always followed.

Bay Area still controls the matchup on paper. Their offensive depth, transition pressure, and ability to generate quick runs make them favorites for a reason.

If the Falcons want a shot at overtaking San Diego Super Bloom for conference positioning, they’ll need to notch this win.

sd @ az (gAME OF THE WEEK)

San Diego Super Bloom enters the weekend as the Southwest’s top seed, but it’s not a guarantee. If Bay Area handles business earlier in the evening, pressure could shift squarely onto Super Bloom for the final game of the WUL regular season.

And Arizona Sidewinders suddenly look like one of the league’s most dangerous spoilers.

Arizona have played some of their best ultimate this season, turning close games into genuine battles and steadily building confidence week after week. A win here would mark the most successful season in franchise history and give Sidewinders a massive statement moment heading into the offseason.

If Bay Area secures a victory, that puts pressure on San Diego to also win in order to keep their top seed at Championship Weekend. Unfortunately for Super Bloom, they won’t know the result of the Falcons game before their first pull.

Unlike some of the weekend’s earlier matchups, this one feels unlikely to drift into cruise control. The energy should be playoff-level from the opening pull, with San Diego trying to protect positioning and Arizona chasing a defining win in front of a home crowd.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Gesell's Return Hits Full Speed in Week 10; Eyes Turn to the Season's Final Weekend

Arizona captain Kez Gesell earns Week 10 Player of the Week honors after a career-best all-around performance that highlighted one of the league's best comeback performances.

Week 11 brings a league-wide bye, giving contenders one last opportunity to reset before the race for Championship Weekend enters its final stretch.

WUL Week 10 Player of the Week:
Kez Gesell (Arizona Sidewinders)

Kez Gesell (AZ) looks to advance the disc upfield in her career-defining performance against Bay in Week 10. (Photographer: Nathan Brodie)

The Arizona Sidewinders captain put together a career day in Week 10, stuffing the stat sheet with 2 goals, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 307 total yards. The six combined goals, assists, and blocks marked a career-high +/- for Gesell, while the 307 yards represented just the second 300-yard game of their career.

The performance also capped off an impressive comeback season. Gesell was named the WUL's Breakout Player of the Year in 2023 before injuries largely sidelined them throughout the 2024 and 2025. In 2026, they've reestablished themself as one of Arizona's most important players. Gesell currently leads the Sidewinders in total yards and stands alone as the only Arizona player this season with at least five goals, five assists, and five blocks.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

League Wide Bye Week | Memorial Day Weekend

The WUL schedule hits pause this Memorial Day weekend before the final regular season push begins.

With all four Championship Weekend spots officially locked up, teams now get a rare chance to reset, recover, and sharpen things ahead of the season’s final stretch. Seattle Tempest, Colorado Alpenglow, San Diego Super Bloom, and Bay Area Falcons have all officially punched their postseason tickets — but plenty still remains on the line as all eight teams head into the last week of regular season play on Saturday May 30, including playoff seeding and a few lingering rivalry scores waiting to be settled.

All Four Championship Weekend Spots Claimed In Week 10 Sweep

Seattle Tempest, Colorado Alpenglow, San Diego Super Bloom and Bay Area Falcons all clinched their 2026 Championship Weekend spots in Week 10.

The Championship Weekend picture snapped into focus on Saturday.

Seattle Tempest clinched first spot out of the Northwest with a win over Oregon Soar and simultaneously sent Colorado Alpenglow through for the second spot. San Diego Super Bloom locked up the Southwest’s first spot with a win over Colorado later that day, and Bay Area Falcons closed the door that night on Arizona Sidewinders' playoff hopes in a thriller that stayed within reach until the final minutes. 

Final Scores:

SEA 16 - 11 OR
SD 18 - 16 CO
BAY 17 - 15 AZ

Every Championship Weekend berth is claimed. The four teams (Seattle, Colorado, San Diego and Bay Area) headed to 2026 Championship Weekend are the same four teams that qualified in 2025.

The only thing left? Seeding.

The final weekend of the regular season is about positioning and momentum heading into the biggest weekend of the year.

The WUL takes a break over Memorial Day weekend. Join us Saturday, May 30 for the final day of regular season play for all 8 teams play to determine records and establish seeding for Championship Weekend in Portland, OR on June 13-14, 2026.

McCarthy Does It Again In Week 9; Championship Race Hits Boiling Point in Week 10

Colorado’s Kennedy McCarthy earns Week 9 Player of the Week honors after delivering another all-around performance: 5 goals, 3 assists, 416 total yards in a dominant showing that further cemented their breakout season.

Now the playoff picture tightens heading into Week 10. Seattle Tempest, San Diego Super Bloom, Bay Area Falcons and Colorado Alpenglow all have a chance to clinch their spot in the championships this weekend, while Arizona Sidewinders and Oregon Soar fight to stay alive.

WUL Week 9 Player of the Week:
Kennedy McCarthy (Colorado Alpenglow)

Kennedy McCarthy (CO) is all smiles after another all-around performance in Week 9.

Colorado’s Kennedy McCarthy finished Week 9 with 5 goals, 3 assists, 1 block, and a staggering 416 total yards while only posting .5 errors all game. Every Colorado run seemed to start — or end — with McCarthy touching the disc.

After becoming the first player in WUL history to post a 3G/4A/4B game back in Week 2, earning her first Player of the Week win, McCarthy delivered another all-around masterpiece in Week 9 — this time overwhelming opponents with big catches under pressure and precise hucks into the wind.

McCarthy has tallied huge numbers in her first WUL season with 14 goals, 12 assists, 10 blocks, and 1650 total yards so far this year.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 10 Preview

SEA @ OR (GAME OF THE WEEK)

 Seattle Tempest heads into Portland carrying the clearest playoff path of any team in the league: win, and they officially clinch a spot at 2026 Championship Weekend.

But Oregon Soar stands directly in the way — and for Oregon, the stakes are high. A loss would eliminate Soar from postseason contention entirely, turning Saturday into a full survival game in front of their home crowd.

Tempest enters the matchup still looking to respond after last week’s 20-16 loss to San Diego Super Bloom tightened the race at the top of the standings. Even in the loss, Seattle’s offense continued to produce behind Cheryl Hsu’s massive throwing workload and the cutting duo of Jamie Kauffman and Meg Manning. The Tempest offense remains one of the most explosive units in the league when it finds rhythm early.

Oregon Soar, meanwhile, has spent much of the season proving they can hang with contenders for long stretches. The challenge now becomes sustaining consistency against a Seattle team that knows exactly what’s on the line. If Oregon can generate early pressure and sustain their runs of efficiency, they have a chance to disrupt the playoff picture in a major way.

If Seattle Tempest handles business, they become the first team to officially lock in Championship Weekend — and Colorado Alpenglow automatically qualifies as well, regardless of the outcome of their game later in the day.

CO @ SD

Saturday evening’s showdown between Colorado Alpenglow and San Diego Super Bloom could easily feel like a Championship Weekend preview before either team officially gets there.

Colorado enters the weekend looking like one of the league’s most complete teams after rolling past Utah Wild in Week 9 behind dominant defensive pressure and efficient downfield offense. Rose Bransford, Kennedy McCarthy, Abby Thorpe, and Ari Nelson have powered an offense that can overwhelm teams quickly once Colorado starts generating break chances.

But San Diego Super Bloom arrives with plenty of momentum of their own after delivering one of the biggest statement wins of the season against Seattle Tempest in Week 9. Super Bloom showed poise under pressure throughout that game, extending possessions, limiting mistakes, and capitalizing on key break opportunities late.

A San Diego win clinches a Championship Weekend berth outright and keeps pressure on the race for the top overall seed heading into the final weeks. Colorado’s path is slightly more flexible — if Seattle Tempest wins earlier in the day, the Alpenglow clinch regardless of this result against SD.

Still, neither team will approach this matchup cautiously. With two explosive offenses and major postseason implications attached, this has all the ingredients to become one of the biggest games of the regular season.

BAY @ AZ

Everything is on the line when Bay Area Falcons travel to face Arizona Sidewinders in the final game of Saturday’s loaded Week 10 slate.

For Bay Area, the equation is simple: win and clinch a spot at 2026 Championship Weekend. After keeping their postseason hopes alive with a strong win over Los Angeles Astra in Week 9, the Falcons now control their own path heading into one of their biggest games of the season.

Bay Area’s defense has become increasingly dangerous over the last several weeks, led by playmakers like Lily Steponaitis, while the offense continues to lean on the throwing prowess of Robyn Fennig and scoring production of Malina Wiebe and Bridget Wipfler.

Arizona Sidewinders, however, still have a chance to reshape the playoff race. A loss would officially eliminate Arizona from contention, but a home upset would throw the standings into chaos heading into the final stretch of the season.

Depending on earlier results, Bay Area could also end up helping San Diego Super Bloom clinch alongside them if the Falcons win and Colorado defeats Super Bloom earlier in the evening.

By the time this game ends, the entire Championship Weekend field could already be decided — unless Arizona or Oregon have one more surprise left.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Belkin Shines in Week 8; SEA & SD Eye Championship Clinch in Week 9

LA’s Sabrina Belkin earns Week 8 Player of the Week honors after helping power Los Angeles Astra’s furious comeback push against San Diego, finishing among the league leaders in both assists and throwing yards.

Now the focus shifts to a massive Week 9 slate. Seattle Tempest can become the first team to clinch a Championship Weekend berth with a win over San Diego Super Bloom, while Super Bloom can secure the same spot with a victory over Seattle and a Bay Area loss.

WUL Week 8 Player of the Week:
Sabrina Belkin (Los Angeles Astra)

Sabrina Belkin (LA) throws around Abbi Shilts (SD) in LA’s near upset of San Diego in Week 8. (Photographer: Robert Hanashiro)

In just their third professional game, Sabrina Belkin delivered one of the most impressive performances of Week 8 and nearly powered Astra all the way back against San Diego.

The current UCLA senior and 2026 Callahan nominee finished with three assists, one block, and a game-high 495 total yards while completing 93% of their throws. Belkin also connected on both of their huck attempts and led Los Angeles in both assists and throwing yards — by more than 200 yards.

Belkin finished top five in the league this week in both assists and throwing yards (432), serving as one of the engines behind Astra’s furious fourth-quarter comeback push in Sunday’s one-goal thriller.

With confidence, composure, and big-play vision throughout the game, Belkin looked every bit like a rising star ready for the moment.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 9 Preview

UT @ CO

 Colorado has spent much of the season proving it belongs among the league’s contenders, while Utah continues searching for a win. Both teams thrive on defensive pressure and transition offense, meaning breaks could come in bunches.

If Colorado controls tempo, Alpenglow should have the edge. But if Utah can force chaos and win short fields, Wild has a chance to make things uncomfortable.

SD @ SEA (Game of the Week)

Seattle Tempest can become the first team to officially clinch a Championship Weekend berth with a win Saturday. Super Bloom, meanwhile, can clinch if they beat Seattle and Bay Area loses to LA.

Beyond the standings implications, this game feels like a possible preview of what fans could see again in June. Seattle Tempest and San Diego Super Bloom have looked like two of the league’s deepest, most disciplined contenders all season long, and both teams know this matchup could carry weight later down the line.

Seattle’s transition offense remains one of the most explosive attacks in the league when it gets rolling. San Diego counters with full-roster depth, patience, and the ability to grind opponents down over four quarters.

LA @ BAY

Los Angeles heads into Week 9 carrying real momentum after nearly completing a stunning comeback against San Diego. Astra looked dangerous, fast, and fearless down the stretch — and now gets a Bay Area team facing enormous pressure.

The stakes are simple for the Falcons: keep pace in the playoff race and avoid opening the door for San Diego to clinch early. Bay Area still controls plenty of its own postseason path, but a stumble would dramatically raise the pressure entering the final weeks.

For Astra, this game feels like an opportunity to prove last week’s fourth-quarter explosion wasn’t a one-off. If Los Angeles can sustain that energy across four quarters, they’re fully capable of disrupting the playoff picture.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Yen Owns Week 7; AZ–OR Showdown Headlines Week 8

Chip Yen put together a statement Week 7 to earn Player of the Week honors, leading the league with 5 goals while adding 328 receiving yards (2nd in the league) and 4 assists in a do-it-all performance against Utah.

Week 8 brings a little bit of everything: a rematch that might not look anything like the first meeting—and a brand new matchup with real weight. Game of the Week features Arizona and Oregon, two teams that went winless last season and now find themselves firmly in the mix. Arizona’s disciplined, defense-first approach meets an Oregon squad that’s steadily closing the gap, setting up a matchup that could reshape the middle of the standings. Los Angeles Astra get another shot at San Diego Super Bloom after a tough Week 3 loss, but this version of Astra is different—more settled, more dangerous, and playing with momentum as they return home.

WUL Week 7 Player of the Week:
Chip Yen (Los Angeles Astra)

Chip Yen (LA) battles for a disc against Jaycee Jones (OR) in LA’s first win of 2026 on 4.25.2026 (Photographer: Marcus Johnson)

Chip Yen didn’t just have a big Week 7—she bent the entire stat sheet in her direction.

Against Utah, Yen led the league with 5 goals while piling up 328 receiving yards (2nd in the league) and adding 4 assists, tying for third across the week. She filled in the margins, too, contributing defensively to round out one of the most complete performances of the season. Simply put, Yen had a full-field impact for LA.

Yen now leads LA in goals, receiving yards, and blocks—ranking 4th, 5th, and tied for 5th in the league in those categories, respectively.

Yen has already surpassed her career highs across every major statistical category, while cutting her turnover rate nearly in half compared to her career average. More touches, more responsibility, fewer mistakes.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 8 Preview

SD @ LA

 San Diego Super Bloom handled business in Week 3 against Los Angeles Astra, taking an 18–10 win and controlling the game from early to late.

But that version of Astra isn’t the one showing up now.

Since then, Astra have found something—offensive rhythm, defensive pressure, and most importantly, belief. The breakout win over Utah showed what this roster looks like when it clicks, and even in a both losses to Arizona, they proved they can hang in tight, physical games.

Now they get San Diego again but this time at home.

The question isn’t whether Astra can compete—it’s whether they can sustain it. Can they match Super Bloom’s discipline over four quarters? Can they limit the runs that buried them in the first matchup?

AZ @ OR (Game of the Week)

For the first time in WUL history, Arizona Sidewinders and Oregon Soar square off—and it doesn’t feel like a novelty matchup. It feels like timing.

Both teams are coming off winless 2025 seasons. Both teams have flipped the script. And both teams  are still in the playoff conversation for their respective conferences.

Arizona (3–2) comes in with new identity. They’ve leaned into strong defense, controlled pace, and the ability to win in less than perfect conditions—something they proved again in their sweep of Los Angeles Astra. They don’t need perfect flow. They just need enough.

Oregon (2–3) brings a different kind of pressure. They’ve been building week over week, finding ways to stay competitive and push games deep. Their record doesn’t fully capture how dangerous they’ve become.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Hsu Controls The Game; Week 7 Sets Up LA's Road Gauntlet

In Week 6, Cheryl Hsu delivered a takeover performance for Seattle Tempest to earn Player of the Week honors, piling up 486 throwing yards, 5 assists, and a block while stretching Oregon’s defense beyond its limits. In Week 7, the spotlight shifts to a high-stakes road doubleheader for Los Angeles Astra, who face both Utah and Arizona—where something has to give between two winless squads in the Utah matchup, while Astra look to flip the script after a one-point loss to Arizona just two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Game of the Week heads to altitude as Bay Area travels to Colorado in a clash that’s a possible preview of Championship Weekend semis.

WUL Week 6:
Cheryl Hsu (Seattle Tempest)

Cheryl Hsu (SEA) throws a flick upfield in Seattle Tempest’s big win over Oregon Soar on 4.18.2026 (Photographer: Melissa Levin)

No space is safe when Cheryl Hsu has the disc—and Oregon learned that the hard way.

Hsu put on a clinic in Week 6, racking up 486 throwing yards, 5 assists, and a block to power Seattle Tempest to the win. But the stat line only tells part of it. Every touch felt like a threat. Every reset had teeth. And every turn flipped instantly into offense.

That’s the Hsu effect.

She doesn’t just move the disc—she detonates possessions. Where others reset, Hsu attacks. Where defenses think they’ve recovered, she’s already launching the next break. Transition moments don’t slow down in her hands—they end in the end zone.

And this isn’t a one-off.

Through five games, Hsu is in the middle of a career-best 2026 campaign:

• 1,788 throwing yards (already past her 2025 total)

• 16 assists

• 91.7% completion rate

• 75% on hucks

She’s been a driver of Seattle Tempest offense since day one of the league, and this year feels like the clearest expression of that identity: fast, fearless, and relentlessly aggressive.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 7 Preview

BAY @ CO (Game of the Week)

Bay Area Falcons head to Colorado to face Alpenglow for Game of the Week in a cross-division clash that feels bigger than a regular season matchup. This has all the markings of a Championship Weekend preview—two contenders, both coming off wins that turned heads across the league.

Bay Area Falcons finally broke through against San Diego Super Bloom, proving they can close against top-tier competition. It wasn’t just the win—it was how they did it. Defensive pressure late, disciplined offense, and punishing mistakes.

Colorado Alpenglow made a statement of their own, taking down Seattle Tempest and reinforcing that they belong in the contender conversation. Physical, confident, and opportunistic, Alpenglow showed they can match up with anyone when they’re clicking.

Now they meet. The intrigue here is simple: which version of each team shows up? Was last week a breakthrough—or something lasting?

Cross-division games always carry extra weight, and with playoff positioning looming, this one could matter more than it seems. Style-wise, this has the potential to be a grind—two teams that generate pressure, force mistakes, and punish them quickly..

LA @ UT

Los Angeles Astra and Utah Wild enter Saturday still looking for their first win—and with each passing week, the pressure only builds. This isn’t just another regular season game. It’s a turning point waiting to happen.

Both teams have had flashes of great play. Both have been close. But neither has been able to put together the performance needed to close. That’s what makes this matchup so compelling.

For Los Angeles Astra, it’s about converting. They’ve already proven they can hang in tight games, including an overtime battle just two weeks ago. The question now is whether they can finish one.

Utah Wild, meanwhile, has the advantage of home turf and a chance to dictate terms early. In games like this, starts matter. Confidence matters. And whoever finds rhythm first could force the other into playing catch-up—never a comfortable place for a team still searching for answers.

LA @ AZ

Los Angeles Astra heads straight from Utah into a rematch with Arizona Sidewinders—one that already delivered one of the tightest finishes of the season. Their last meeting? A 16-15 overtime thriller that could’ve gone either way.

Arizona gets the advantage this time—home field and rest. Los Angeles Astra, on the other hand, arrives on tired legs after a full game the day before, with travel layered in.

Sidewinders already know they can go toe-to-toe with Astra. Now they get a version that may not have the same legs, the same sharpness, or the same margin for error. Expect them to push pace, test depth, and make this game as demanding as possible.

For Los Angeles Astra, it’s about resilience. Can they manage the travel turnaround, control tempo, and stay disciplined enough to avoid letting the game slip?

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Steiner Goes Off in the Wind; Week 6 Sends Super Bloom and Soar on the Road

In Week 5, Karli Steiner delivered a record-setting performance to earn Player of the Week honors, posting 7 assists and 516 throwing yards in a windy showcase while rewriting the Los Angeles Astra record book. In Week 6, San Diego Super Bloom travels to face Bay Area Falcons for a 2025 Championship Weekend rematch with Bay hunting for redemption; Oregon Soar heads north to take on Seattle Tempest in a game with heavy playoff implications.

WUL Week 5:
Karli Steiner (Los Angeles Astra)

Karlier Steiner (LA) gets ready to throw a hammer against Arizona’s zone defense in Astra’s overtime loss against the Sidewinders on 4.12.2026 (Photographer: Robert Hanishiro)

Karli Steiner owned the toughest throwing conditions of the weekend and turned a windy game into a statement performance. Steiner set career highs with 7 assists and 516 throwing yards, tying Los Angeles Astra’s single-game assists record while setting new franchise marks in throwing yards and total yards. She also led the entire league in assists, throwing yards, and total yards (608) in Week 5 — the kind of backfield control that dictates everything, maybe fuled with a little extra motivation against her former teammates.

Vote for POTW every week on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 6 Preview

OR @ SEA

Seattle vs Oregon is always a rivalry—but this time, it’s about more than pride. For Seattle, it’s a chance to respond. After dropping their first game of the season against Colorado, Tempest will be looking to reassert control in the Northwest and remind the league who they are.

For Oregon, it’s urgency. Soar have shown major improvement this season, but their path to Championship Weekend is narrow. They need a statement win—and Seattle is the opportunity.

Oregon must slow down one of the league’s most efficient offenses. They’ll need to convert their chances when they get them and they’ll have to do it against a team looking to bounce back.

.

SD @ BAY (Game of the Week)

This one has been circled since the schedule dropped. Bay Area Falcons vs San Diego Super Bloom is more than just a matchup—it’s a rematch of the 2025 Championship Game. And if that wasn’t enough, Super Bloom already handed Bay Area a loss in Week 1. Now, the stakes are even higher for this week’s Game of the Week.

San Diego enters undefeated, looking every bit like the defending champions. They’ve shown they can absorb pressure and adjust mid-game. 

Bay Area, meanwhile, is trending up. After a slower start, the Falcons are beginning to find rhythm—integrating new pieces, building chemistry, and sharpening their offensive identity. This is their opportunity to prove it’s real.

Three storylines, one game: Can Bay Area finally break through against San Diego?

Can they avenge both a championship loss and a Week 1 defeat?

And can anyone stop Super Bloom’s undefeated run?

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Egan Controls the Game for Oregon; Week 5 Heats Up For Seattle & Arizona

In Week 4, Rachel Egan delivered an outstanding two-way performance to earn Player of the Week honors, leading Oregon Soar with control on both sides of the disc. Across the league, early identities have emerged as teams begin to separate in the standings and point differentials. In Week 5, the schedule intensifies—Seattle Tempest and the Arizona Sidewinders hit the road for doubleheaders across three days of action, as four games from Friday through Sunday start to put real pressure on depth, endurance, and early playoff positioning.

WUL Week 4 Player of the Week:
Rachel Egan (Oregon Soar)

Rachel Egan (OR) catches a disc upline in Oregon’s Week 3 game against Colorado Alpenglow. (Photographer: Sloth Jackson)

Rachel Egan of Oregon Soar stuffed the stat sheet with 2 goals, 6 assists, 4 blocks, and 345 total yards this week, all without a single turnover. That’s not just a big game—that’s historic. Egan becomes just the second player in WUL history to hit the rare 8+ goal contributions and 4+ blocks mark in a single performance.

The Oregon Soar team captain wasn’t just productive in her game against Utah Wild in Week 4—she was everywhere. Egan finished 1st in blocks, 2nd in assists, and 2nd in receiving yards across the league this week, anchoring both sides of the disc. On defense, she took on top matchups and delivered, generating stops that flipped momentum. On offense, she operated as a surgical small-space cutter, constantly resetting flow and punishing tight windows.

It’s the kind of all-field dominance that defines a captain—and Egan has now done it across every era of Oregon professional teams, suiting up for all three iterations of the franchise. In 2026, she’s firmly in the league’s elite tier, ranking in the top 2% in goals, receiving yards, and blocks.

Vote for POTW every Tuesday on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 5 Preview

SEA @ UT

Seattle Tempest arrives in Utah riding one of the most dominant performances the league has seen, but replicating that on the road is a different challenge.

Utah Wild continues to build, showing flashes of a fast-paced, aggressive offense that can create opportunities in bunches. The next step is consistency—turning those stretches into full-game pressure.

Seattle will look to control pace and limit mistakes. Utah will look to speed things up and create disruption.

.

SEA @ CO (Game of the Week)

Seattle Tempest and Colorado Alpenglow headline the weekend in a Game of the Week matchup with control of the Northwest Conference on the line.

Seattle enters riding historic momentum, but this is a very different test: altitude, a quick turnaround, and a Colorado team that thrives on energy and pressure at home. Alpenglow has already shown it can hang with top competition, and this is exactly the kind of game where they can make a statement. Colorado is looking to combat the narrative from their earlier loss to Seattle and prove they are contenders at Championship Weekend.

For Seattle, the challenge is sustaining discipline across a doubleheader. Clean execution and depth will matter, especially on tired legs.

For Colorado, it’s about seizing the moment. If they can generate pressure and capitalize on short fields, they have a real chance to flip the scrip

AZ @ SD

Arizona Sidewinders head into San Diego looking to turn progress into results.San Diego Super Bloom has been one of the more consistent teams early, combining efficient offense with timely defensive pressure. They don’t need big runs, they build leads steadily, making them a favorite to qualify first for Championship Weekend.

On the other hand, Arizona has shown the ability to generate chances, but execution in key moments will be the difference here.San Diego will aim to stay composed. Arizona needs to stay within reach—and strike when it matters.

AZ @ LA

Sunday brings a reset—and another challenge. Los Angeles Astra continues to develop chemistry and identity, showing flashes of a team that can stretch the field and create quick scoring runs. At home, they’ll look to dictate tempo.

For Arizona, this is about endurance and adjustments. After San Diego on Saturday, can they regroup and execute? Do they have the conditioning and mindset to beat LA?

This one may come down to which team adapts faster—and finishes stronger.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Fitzgerald Dominates for OR; UT Faces Crucial Doubleheader in Week 4

In Week 3, Caitlin Fitzgerald delivered a dominant two-way performance across Oregon’s doubleheader to earn Player of the Week honors, leading Soar to a historic first win and continuing to drive their early-season identity. Across the league, momentum began to build as teams found rhythm and separation. In Week 4, the stakes rise—a UT doubleheader and playoff positioning start to take shape as teams look to turn early flashes into consistency.

WUL Week 3 Player of the Week:
Caitlin Fitzgerald (Oregon Soar)

Caitlin Fitzgerald (OR) lays out for a score in Oregon Soar’s game against Colorado Alpenglow. (Photographer: Sloth Jackson)

Caitlin “Fitz” Fitzgerald delivered a standout doubleheader performance for Oregon Soar, making her mark on both sides of the disc.

Against Utah, she posted 4 goals, 3 blocks, and 273 total yards, setting the tone with relentless defensive pressure and efficient offense.

She followed it up against Colorado with 2 goals, 4 assists, and 394 yards, showcasing her versatility and ability to impact every possession.

Already leading Soar in goals and blocks while ranking top five across multiple stat categories, Fitzgerald has quickly become a centerpiece of Oregon’s early-season success.

And it’s no surprise—her pedigree speaks for itself. A former Callahan nominee at the University of Kansas and a veteran of Portland Rising (PUL), Fitzgerald brings elite experience, leadership, and intensity every time she steps on the field. Whether laying out for blocks or driving the offense, Fitz is setting the standard for Soar in 2026.

Vote for POTW every Tuesday on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 4 Preview

UT @ SEA

Utah’s doubleheader weekend starts in Seattle, where the Tempest will be waiting—rested, prepared, and dangerous. Seattle’s ability to generate turns and convert quickly could pose a major challenge for a Utah team still finding rhythm.

Utah Wild is still searching for their first win of the 2026 season, despite flashes of high-level play. With both teams hungry, this Friday night matchup carries early-season weight and momentum implications.

UT @ OR (Game of the Week)

After securing their first win in franchise history last weekend against Utah Wild, Oregon Soar returns home aiming to turn that milestone into sustained momentum. For Utah, the key will be energy and adjustments after Friday’s battle against Seattle, as they look to carry momentum or reset quickly depending on the result.

For Utah, this is about resilience. Whether still chasing their first win or building off a breakthrough, Saturday presents another opportunity to define their season —while Oregon looks to defend home turf and make their own statement.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

McCarthy & Thorpe Break Records; Big Opportunity Ahead for OR & AZ

In Week 2, Kennedy McCarthy delivered a historic performance to earn Player of the Week honors, despite a tough road matchup in Seattle. Colorado split their Pacific Northwest doubleheader with a win over Oregon and a loss to the Tempest, while standout performances and record-setting moments defined the weekend. In Week 3, teams look to build momentum as early-season identities continue to take shape.

WUL Week 2 Player of the Week:
Kennedy McCarthy (Colorado Alpenglow)

Kennedy McCarthy lays out for a Callahan score against Seattle. Kennedy topped the leader board in Week 2, becoming the first player ever to record a 3G/4A/4B stat line in a single game,. (Photographer: Henry Jensen)

In a statement performance against the Seattle Tempest, Kennedy McCarthy delivered one of the most complete games in WUL history.

McCarthy finished with 3 goals, 4 assists, and 4 blocks—becoming the first player ever to record a 3G/4A/4B stat line in a single game, and just the fourth to reach the 3G/3A/3B milestone. Her impact was felt across every phase of the game, generating turnovers on defense and immediately converting them into scores on offense.

The highlight of the day? A layout Callahan that brought the sideline to life and punctuated an already dominant individual performance.Vote for POTW every Tuesday on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 3 Preview

AZ @ BAY (Game of the Week)

All eyes are on the Game of the Week as Arizona heads to the Bay.

Arizona enters with momentum after a strong Week 1 showing—but the challenge ramps up on the road. Meanwhile, Bay Area looks to prove why they were preseason favorites, defending home turf and continuing to establish themselves as a championship contender. With early positioning in the standings on the line, this matchup could set the tone for both teams moving forward.

LA @ SD

The SoCal rivalry is back.

With Los Angeles Astra returning to the league, this matchup reignites a familiar battle in the South. San Diego, however, enters in strong form and will look to continue their dominant start while protecting home field. For Astra, it’s a chance to make an early statement. For Super Bloom, it’s about maintaining control.

OR @ UT

Oregon gets its first of two chances this weekend to make history. Facing Utah Wild, this game projects to be one of the most evenly matched contests of the weekend. Both teams are looking to find their footing early in the season, making this a prime opportunity for Oregon to secure their first win as a franchise. Expect a competitive battle where execution in key moments could make the difference.

OR @ CO

Sunday brings a quick-turn rematch as Oregon faces Colorado for the second straight week.

After a narrow loss in Week 2, Oregon will look to make adjustments and flip the result with another shot at the Alpenglow. Colorado, coming off a split weekend and a tough loss to Seattle, will be aiming to reassert their edge and prove their consistency. With familiarity high and motivation on both sides, this rematch could deliver one of the most compelling storylines of the weekend.

Catch all games live and FREE on the WUL YouTube!

Shilts Dominates Stats for San Diego; CO Doubleheader Coming in Week 2

In Week 1, Abbi Shilts lead San Diego Super Bloom to their first win of 2026 earning her the title of Player of the Week. In Week 2, Colorado Alpenglow faces Oregon Soar (Game of the Week) and Seattle Tempest in a pivotal PNW doubleheader.

WUL Week 1 Player of the Week:
Abbi Shilts (San Diego Super Bloom)

Abbi Shilts skies her opponent for one of her 6 goals in the first game of WUL Opening Weekend. Shilts broke her own scoring record and was top of the league for goals scored in Week 1. (Photographer: Abe Shklar)

As San Diego dominated the opening game, Abbi Shilts demonstrated that she’s ready to join the Super Bloom stars. 

Shilts scored 6 goals on Saturday, beating her regular season totals from 2024 and 2025 (4 and 5, respectively), and consistently gained ground for San Diego, leading the team with 271 receiving yards. She capped her performance with one assist and one block on only a single turnover, giving her a team-best plus/minus of +7. Shilts also becomes only the 7th player in league history to notch 6 goals in a single game.

At only 23 years old, Shilts is a member of two gold-winning Team USA U24 delegations in 2023 and 2025 and is poised to help drive San Diego toward their goal of a second WUL Championship in 2026.

Vote for POTW every Tuesday on the WUL Instagram!

WUL Week 2 Preview

CO @ OR (Game of the Week)

Week 2 Game of the Week is the opening game for both Colorado Alpenglow and Oregon Soar as CO travels to the Pacific Northwest for a double header weekend. Colorado will be looking to redeem their 2025 post season 4th place finish, and Oregon is still seeking their first franchise win. Colorado brings back stars Abby Thorpe, Ari Nelson, and Jade McLaughlin along with new addition Maggie O’Connor, but will have to play without 2025 defensive contributors Rory Veldman and Megan Maxfield as they look for a win on the road. Oregon has had more roster turnover, but boasts the return of Noelle Takahashi and Rachel Egan, as well as adding some big WUL names including Murl Hammond and Caity “Yeti” Winterbottom, plus New England transplants Caitlyn Fitzgerald and Emily Pozzy. Oregon showed flashes of great play last year, including out-scoring Colorado in the second half of their home match in 2025. This game will also be an opportunity for Oregon fans to show up for their team as the organization gets ready to host Championship Weekend this year. Catch the game live in Portland at 4pm PT 3/21 or stream on the WUL YouTube channel!

CO @ SEA

Colorado Alpenglow will complete their road trip with a game in Seattle against the Tempest on Sunday afternoon. This rematch of the 2025 3rd place game is a chance for both teams to show they’ve improved after some roster change-ups. Seattle brings back Kaitlynne Roling after losing 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Sadie Jezierski to the PUL, but returns major contributors in Cheryl Hsu and Drea Baroma. This game could be a harbinger of things to come for each former champion as they fight to get back to the top of the league. Catch the game live in Seattle at 1pm PT 3/22 or on the WUL YouTube channel!

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.