League News
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.
Oregon grabbed a crucial 19-16 win over a short-handed Arizona squad, keeping Soar firmly in the playoff hunt and tightening an already crowded postseason race. Meanwhile, San Diego barely escaped Los Angeles in one of the season’s wildest finishes, surviving Astra’s furious fourth-quarter comeback attempt to hold on for an 18-17 victory. With only a few weeks remaining before Championship Weekend, every result is starting to feel heavier — and Week 8 proved no lead and no playoff spot is safe.
Chip Yen earned Player of the Week honors with 5 goals, 328 receiving yards, and 4 assists in a dominant Week 7. Week 8 features a high-stakes rematch as Los Angeles Astra host San Diego Super Bloom, plus Game of the Week: Arizona vs Oregon—two rising teams looking to reshape the standings after winless 2025 seasons.
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.
Two one-point games. An overtime finish. The first crack in an undefeated season. The margins across the league are getting thinner—and the stakes are getting higher. Colorado Alpenglow proved they can go toe-to-toe with Seattle Tempest. Arizona Sidewinders showed resilience in a comeback overtime win. San Diego Super Bloom continued to look like a team that knows exactly how to weather pressure.
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.
Week 4 set a new benchmark. Seattle’s performance established a standard of execution that will challenge every opponent moving forward while Oregon demonstrated the ability to translate adjustments into results, securing a milestone win at home. Utah had a demanding doubleheader weekend on the road, but did not let their loss to Seattle define their entire weekend.
Three weeks into the 2026 WUL season, the numbers are starting to reveal each team’s identity.
San Diego continues to lead with efficient, low-turnover play, while Arizona’s improved D-line conversion has fueled early success. Bay Area and Colorado are finding rhythm after slower starts, and Oregon’s offensive growth has already led to a historic first win.
From efficiency gains to evolving roles, the stats highlight what’s driving teams—and what to watch next.
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.
Week 3 of the 2026 WUL season delivered breakout performances and a milestone win! San Diego Super Bloom continued their strong start with a composed win over Los Angeles Astra, while Bay Area Falcons defended home turf against Arizona in a high-energy matchup.
Oregon Soar secured their first franchise win since joining the WUL in 2025, and turned around less than 24 hours later to challenge Colorado Alpenglow in a tight rematch. Across the weekend, standout individual performances and disciplined team systems have begun to separate contenders from the pack.
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.
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.
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!
The All-WUL teams recognize the all-around top players in the league for the 2025 season. The teams were decided based on a combination of voting results for the Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards. The top seven vote getters are recognized on the All-WUL First Team, and the next seven are recognized on the All-WUL Second Team. The players on each team are listed in alphabetical order.
Georgia Cardosa (BAY)
On a Falcons squad returning much of the league’s top-ranked defense from 2024, it was almost inevitable that a Defensive Player of the Year finalist would emerge in 2025. What no one expected—at least outside the Southwest—was that it would be Georgia Cardosa. Entering the season with just a single game and two points played in her WUL career, Cardosa wasted no time making her presence felt: she racked up four blocks against Arizona in Week 1 and delivered three jaw-dropping foot blocks versus Seattle in Week 2. From there, she became a staple of the Bay Area D-line, locking down handlers and generating yards with aggressive under cuts after turnovers. Her breakout season earned her a DPOTY finalist nomination and a well-deserved spot on the All-WUL Second Team.
Jackie Riley (OR)
A product of Oregon’s storied youth scene, Jackie Riley brought exactly what the Soar needed in their inaugural WUL season: dynamic young talent with a high ceiling. From the first few games, it was clear Riley would be a force on Oregon’s D-line—jumpstarting break opportunities with big throws and clutch catches. They made an early statement with four goals and 299 receiving yards in Soar’s opener, followed by three goals and 327 receiving yards just two games later. But Riley’s biggest impact came on defense. Over the final three games of the season, they averaged a staggering three blocks per game, finishing with 12 on the year—tied for second-most in the league. That disruptive presence earned Riley a spot among the DPOTY finalists and a place on the All-WUL Second Team.
Kat Songer (UT)
One of the league’s steadiest and most reliable handlers, Kat Songer once again anchored the Utah Wild offense with unshakable poise and precision. While she may not dominate highlight reels like some of the league’s flashiest throwers, Songer quietly does everything right—hitting open receivers, making smart decisions, and keeping the offense humming. She’s the kind of player coaches should show their young handlers on film.
In 2025, Songer threw 11 hucks and completed eight—a 73% completion rate, second-best in the league among players with at least 10 attempts. And that efficiency is no fluke: she went 10-for-14 in 2024 and 4-for-5 in 2023. Her year-over-year numbers reflect remarkable consistency:
2023: 11 assists, 1,679 throwing yards, +3.2 completions above expected
2024: 15 assists, 1,539 throwing yards, +1.9 completions above expected
2025: 16 assists, 1,518 throwing yards, +3.1 completions above expected
The one major change in 2025? Even with a career-high in touches, Songer committed five fewer turnovers than in either of the previous two seasons. And she never let up—her 104 points played led the entire league. An iron-willed leader at the helm of the Wild O-line, Songer’s All-WUL Second Team nod is a testament to years of quiet excellence.
Kaitlyn Weaver (SD)
On a team as stacked as San Diego, even big-name signings can raise questions—how will they fit? Will they stand out? In the case of 2023 MVP finalist Kaitlyn Weaver, the answer was clear from the start: contribute everywhere, elevate the team, and make a deep impact on both sides of the disc. In her first season with Super Bloom, Weaver seamlessly stepped into a high-usage role, finishing second on the team in points played (95) and earning both a DPOTY finalist nod and a place on the All-WUL Second Team.
Weaver’s presence took pressure off San Diego’s longtime stars Keala Helton and Dena Elimelech, allowing them to thrive deeper into games. But make no mistake—Weaver wasn’t just a role player. She was Helton-esque in her all-around production:
942 receiving yards (3rd on the team)
12 assists (3rd)
8 blocks (3rd)
7 huck receptions (1st)
She routinely initiated the offense, whether by stretching the field with big cuts or grinding out yardage underneath. In the red zone, she was just as comfortable taking charge—often throwing the final pass to cap drives. With her versatility, stamina, and playmaking instincts, Weaver gave Super Bloom exactly what they needed to finally break through to a gold at Championship Weekend.
Kelli Iwamoto (SD)
Kelli Iwamoto’s shift from First-Team All-WUL and MVP finalist in 2024 to Second Team in 2025 isn’t a drop-off—it’s a reflection of just how complete and balanced the Super Bloom roster became this season. As San Diego evolved into a more cohesive, championship-caliber unit, Iwamoto remained the steady force at the heart of it all.
Iwamoto once again delivered the kind of poised, efficient handler play that doesn’t always make headlines—but absolutely wins games. Across just five appearances, she tallied 5 goals, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and over 1,000 total yards—despite logging 75 fewer touches than she did in 2024.
But Iwamoto’s impact can’t be measured in numbers alone. She remains a trusted leader—someone her team turns to in critical moments, whether for a key break throw or a possession saving layout on an overthrown dump – sometimes simply to reset the energy and execute under pressure. Her calm presence and elite decision-making helped guide Super Bloom through their most successful season yet—and her Second Team selection is a testament to the power of consistency, leadership, and knowing exactly what your team needs, exactly when it matters most.
Melissa Dunn (AZ)
Melissa Dunn broke through in a major way in 2025, becoming one of the most reliable and dangerous offensive threats in the league. She finished tied for 2nd in goals (14) and 2nd in receiving yards (1,265)—a massive leap from her previous career averages of just 3 goals and 420 receiving yards per season.
Her breakout moment came in Week 7, where she delivered a career performance: 4 goals, 4 assists, and a staggering 341 receiving yards—the most ever recorded in a single game by an Arizona Sidewinder. With that effort, she became just the sixth player in league history to register at least 4 goals and 4 assists in the same game, underscoring her emergence as a true all-around playmaker.
A versatile hybrid with the ability to fill any role asked of her, Dunn paired big-yardage performances with steady efficiency, posting an 89.7% completion rate and committing just 3.5 receiving errors all season—on a team that often had to battle through adversity. Dunn’s rise helped stabilize Arizona’s offense and showcased her evolution into one of the WUL’s most complete offensive players.
Paige Kercher (UT)
No player has defined consistent production in the WUL quite like Paige Kercher. This season, she cemented that legacy by becoming the first player in league history to surpass 10,000 career regular season yards—a milestone that speaks to both her longevity and her unwavering impact on the field.
Even as Utah experimented midseason by shifting Kercher to the D-line for three games, her yardage output never wavered. She continued to generate offense with her signature poise and precision, ultimately finishing the year with the fewest turnovers of her career. As a veteran leader on a young Wild squad, Kercher brought calm to chaos—running the offense with patience, connecting seamlessly with fellow Second Team honoree Kat Songer, and mentoring emerging talents like Lily Terpstra and Carly Atwell.
Whether she’s driving downfield with big unders or resetting the tempo as a handler, Kercher remains the rock of Utah’s backfield. And as long as she’s on the field, the Wild offense is in expert hands.
Note: Selections were based on voting results for the 2025 WUL Awards, but the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the WUL.
Contributors include:
Ben Sadis (he/him), WUL data collector and statistician
Noah Gumerman (he/him), WUL data collector and statistician
Kaetlynn Daoust (she/her), WUL Media Manager
Aly Steinfeld (she/her), WUL Marketing Director
The All-WUL teams recognize the all-around top players in the league for the 2025 season. The teams were decided based on a combination of voting results for the Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards. The top seven vote getters are recognized on the All-WUL First Team, and the next seven are recognized on the All-WUL Second Team. The players on each team are listed in alphabetical order.
Abby Thorpe (CO)
Each year Abby Thorpe has played in this league, she has been nominated for Most Valuable Player (including winning both MVP and the title in 2024). Thorpe is zeroed in by her teammates even if she is not open at that time, and there is a reason for this – she will make it happen. Thorpe scored a single game record of eight goals in Colorado’s 2025 semifinal against Bay Area, demonstrating that even in their toughest matches, Thorpe is the fuel that keeps Colorado chugging forward. She ran for almost 1000 receiving yards during the 2025 regular season (playing in just 5 of 6 games), then notched an additional 600 receiving yards over Championship Weekend. She was the only player in the league with over 800 yards in both receiving and throwing yards, and one of just three players in the league to finish top five on her team in goals, assists, blocks, throwing yards, and receiving yards . Her teammates say “Abby Thorpe makes the impossible possible.”
Ari Nelson (CO)
Ari Nelson followed up on their 2024 Offensive Player of the Year campaign with a perhaps even more impressive season this year, becoming the first player to win back-to-back OPOTY awards. During the regular season, Nelson led the league in nearly every notable stat – assists, throwing yards and total yards with 2,740 (300 more than the next highest). Those 2K total yards are also good for the third most in a single season, and the most by a player who played in less than eight games. Nelson averaged 417 throwing yards per game, but set a single game record in Week 1 with 622 throwing yards. With a league leading 20 assists and 2,506 throwing yards, Nelson has carried the Alpenglow offense to the postseason over the past two years, and opponents have not yet figured out how to slow down their powerful arm. An opposing coach said about Ari – “I can’t get over how much of the offensive load Ari takes on for their team, they are just a force with the disc”.
Dena Elimelech (SD)
One of the WUL’s preeminent receivers and block getters, Dena Elimelich completed yet another season in which she was a regular near the top of statistical leaderboards, finishing 2nd in the regular season in both goals and blocks. Perhaps most impressive this season was her throwing range, as she completed eight out of ten hucks, the highest completion percentage in the league among players who threw at least ten hucks. Now a 3x All-WUL First Team selection, Elimelech has been a regular on end-of-season Player of the Year awards lists as well, including a win for 2024 DPOTY. She is a force on either side of the disc with jaw dropping skies, full field hucks and unbelievable layout catches. Her teammates say “She is a game changing player on offense and defense” and her level of play throughout the 2025 season was one of the biggest factors in San Diego taking home their first championship.
Kaela Helton (SD)
The 2025 WUL MVP finally capped off a stellar pro season with a championship for San Diego Super Bloom. Helton, now a 3x MVP, has been the heart and soul of this Super Bloom team since its inception, and that was the case once again this year. Across five regular-season games, she had 772 throwing yards, 1104 receiving yards, 11 assists, 16 goals, nine blocks, and not a single receiver error – something no other player in her impact and usage stratosphere managed. Helton’s presence warped the defense towards her whenever she stepped on the field, and in doing so opened up more opportunities for her teammates than ever before. This was wonderfully exemplified in Super Bloom’s postseason run, where Helton turned in two dominant performances into San Dieg’s first-ever WUL title.
Robyn Fennig (BAY)
During our season preview, we anointed Robyn Fennig the Bay’s X-factor for the 2025 season, speculating how much control the Falcons coaching staff would hand to their prized signing. The answer was, of course, full control, which paid dividends right away as Fennig lit up the Arizona defense to the tune of 6 assists and 493 yards in her WUL debut. On the season, Fennig accumulated 2,471 yards - second in the league - and led the league with 18.7 completions above expected (the WUL’s throwing proficiency stat that measures the consistency and difficulty of a player’s completions to the average player). Her chemistry with cutters Malina Wiebe and fellow handler Han Chen grew throughout the season and played a big part in Bay Area’s semi-final victory over previously undefeated Colorado. In short, Fennig’s rookie season was incredible and her impact should only grow as she further integrates into the team in the coming years.
Rory Veldman (CO)
Every year she’s been in the league, Rory Veldman has taken big strides forward for Colorado Alpenglow. Last year, she was a critical piece in Alpenglow’s championship puzzle. This year, Veldman fully emerged as a superstar force on the best regular-season team in the league. Veldman set career highs in goals (12), receiving yards (785), throwing yards (1205), and tied her career high with 12 assists, not to mention adding six blocks for good measure. Veldman is a nightmare matchup on both sides of the disc, and forces opposing offenses and defenses to be operating at their peaks if they want to get anything done while she is around. A 2025 MVP nomination and first team All-WUL nod is the least she’s earned for breaking into the top players in the league in 2025.
Sadie Jezerski (SEA)
Months ago during the early weeks of the preseason, the WUL stats team discussed what Seattle’s floor and ceiling were this year for the 2025 season preview. And the consensus became clear very early that Tempest would go as far as Sadie Jezierski could carry them. While the season didn’t end with a title, Jezierski’s dominance on Seattle’s D-line was a huge reason they worked their way back into Championship Weekend. Jezierski led the league with a stunning 16 blocks in the regular season, to go along with 17 assists, five goals, and over 1,600 yards as the D-line anchor – and earning her the title of 2025 DPOTY. Time after time, Jezierski provided a spark on defense at a critical moment, only to turn around the throw a huge huck for a break that shifted momentum to Tempest during this 2025 season, and added another goal, four assists, and four blocks as Seattle secured third in the postseason as well.
Note: Selections were based on voting results for the 2025 WUL Awards, but the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the WUL.
Contributors include:
Ben Sadis (he/him), WUL data collector and statistician
Noah Gumerman (he/him), WUL data collector and statistician
Kaetlynn Daoust (she/her), WUL Media Manager
Aly Steinfeld (she/her), WUL Marketing Director
