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.
Game 1: AZ @ OR
Soar Capitalize, Hand Sidewinders Costly Loss
Facing an Arizona team missing several key pieces — including Cynthia Thomas, Lauren Pisani, Mel Dunn, and captain Kez Gesell — Oregon attacked early, stayed aggressive, and closed out a critical 19-16 win that could reshape the playoff race.
Both teams fought through early nerves with the first point lasting over half of the first quarter. Arizona struck first behind Kristen Reed, whose deep cutting stressed the Oregon defense all game, but Soar quickly settled in once Geli Boyden found rhythm in the backfield.
Boyden dictated the tempo all afternoon, piling up 6 assists and 460 throwing yards while repeatedly opening space for her cutters, particularly Rachel Egan, downfield. Egan turned those opportunities into a monster outing, finishing with 6 goals and 253 receiving yards, as Arizona struggled to contain Oregon’s timing and pace.
Noelle Takahashi added another layer to the attack with 4 four assists and 305 receiving yards.
Even without several stars available, Arizona still punched hard. Reed was everywhere, finishing with 5 goals, 3 blocks, and 283 receiving yards. Madison Speagle added 4 goals and 256 receiving yards of her own, while Chip Chang worked on both sides of the disc, racking up 3 blocks and 340 throwing yards.
Game 2: SD @ LA
Astra’s Furious Rally Falls One Goal Short Against Super Bloom
Super Bloom survived Astra’s massive fourth-quarter comeback attempt Sunday afternoon, escaping with an 18-17 win after watching a comfortable 5-point lead nearly disappear in the closing minutes.
San Diego’s formula looked familiar early: pressure defense, quick-strike offense, and relentless deep looks. While both teams traded points in Q1, San Diego broke away in the middle quarters behind Kristen Pojunis (6A) and Kaitlyn Weaver (4G).
Aggressive transition offense helped San Diego gradually build separation, and by the second half, the game felt dangerously close to slipping away from Los Angeles entirely.
But Astra refused to go quietly. Sabrina Belkin racked up 432 throwing yards and 3 assists, while Chip Yen was consistently open downfield, finishing with a weekend-best 426 receiving yards.
In the fourth, Los Angeles tightened up defensively, converted short-field opportunities, and started scoring in bunches. Every Astra goal ratcheted up the pressure on Super Bloom, and what had looked like a comfortable San Diego win suddenly became one of the wildest finishes of the season.
In the final moments, Astra forced the turnover they needed and worked it to the redzone before 3x WUL MVP Kaela Helton stopped the score attempt in the endzone. With only a few seconds left, San Diego preserved the one-goal lead for the victory, though Astra’s late surge showed WUL fans that LA is not to be slept on.