Could we be looking at back-to-back titles for Revo?
May 20, 2022 by Kelsey Hayden in Recap with 0 comments
The Premier Ultimate League takes center stage from here on out! The Western Ultimate League has concluded their 2022 season, with Seattle Tempest claiming the inaugural championship. RevoPro began their US road trip in the PUL as the season picks up steam and we barrel towards a still-uncertain postseason.
Results & Standings
PUL Results
PUL Standings
Weekly Storylines
Revolution Moves to 4-0 with Road Trip Wins
The reigning champions faced the defining stretch of their regular season: a three-game session against New York, Washington DC, and Raleigh over five days. The dates were circled, with RevoPro drawing three of the strongest teams in the league in a compressed window. But Medellín took care of business, earning three wins.
In their most dramatic game — the second of a five game tour through the US over just nine days — Medellín Revolution faced off against DC Shadow. This was a highly anticipated matchup as both teams have been impressive so far this season and boast star-studded rosters full of big-play athletes.
Revolution started the game slow, to say the least, as they went down 5-1 early in the first quarter. There’s no large, systemic failure to really point to for this modest start – DC Shadow’s high intensity defence made break side throws undesirable, and their downfield defense made sure Revo couldn’t just push it up the open side as easily as they usually can. With this combination of challenges, Revo eventually turned it on each point and DC Shadow just repeatedly capitalised to make for a very lop-sided first quarter.
Even though RevoPro stepped up their game through the game’s middle portion, DC was up to the challenge. There was a lot of contact under floaty hucks and plenty of fouls called as a result. Almost every disc that went up had multiple people champing at the bit, ready to catch it below. By the end of the third quarter it was all tied up 11-11, but the momentum still felt as though it was in Revo’s favor.
The final quarter was more of the same in the best way possible. More big throws, more tight defense, and more bids for every disc. Each team made sure that nothing was easy for their opponents. About halfway through the quarter, two DC Shadow players bid for the same disc in the end zone and both dropped it – with limited time on the clock and a couple point deficit, this felt like a big opportunity lost. With two minutes left, Revo had pulled ahead by three, the first time since early in the game that one of the teams looked comfortable. While Shadow managed to have a clean O hold, it was too little too late. The game ended in an unusual series of buzzer-beater calls, meaning the last 2 seconds took several minutes to complete. Though the outcome was decided, it was clear both teams wanted to give it their all until the last possible second. Claire Trop threw the final assist for DC to lock in the final score at 15-14 Revo.
Their battle against New York was almost as close, albeit less dramatic. New York hung tough, staying tied for most of the first half before the road team scored a break on a lengthy grinding point to go up 10-8. After a Gridlock hold, RevoPro also added a score in the half’s final possession to keep the lead at two. They held onto that lead to win 20-18.
Surprisingly, despite it being their third game and against the league’s most imposing opponent, Medellin had their best performance in Raleigh. The previously undefeated Raleigh Radiance matched the defensive intensity of their guests, in a manner similar to DC. But eventually they wore down against the RevoPro attack, and again the Colombians were able to pull away in the second half, this time to the tune of 16-12.
If they weren’t the favorite before this, Medellin has clearly established themselves as the team to beat for a title.
Around the League
Milwaukee Monarchs took care of business against young Atlanta Soul, led by Robyn Fennig and Jacqueline Jarik. The latter contributed four assists, one goal, and three blocks, while Fennig led the team with five assists and added a block.
Austin Torch struggled with the wind against Minnesota Strike, who liked much more comfortable in their Midwest conditions and confines. They held the visiting side to just six goals.
Portland Rising took early control against Columbus Pride, going up 5-1 before the Pride could get some traction. But Rising never let up on their way to a 17-11 victory.
Power Rankings
PUL
| Rank | Team | Change | Prior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medellín Revolution | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Raleigh Radiance | -1 | 1 |
| 3 | DC Shadow | -1 | 2 |
| 4 | Portland Rising | - | 4 |
| 5 | New York Gridlock | - | 5 |
| 6 | Minnesota Strike | +4 | 10 |
| 7 | Milwaukee Monarchs | -1 | 6 |
| 8 | Austin Torch | -1 | 7 |
| 9 | Columbus Pride | -1 | 8 |
| 10 | Indianapolis Red | -1 | 9 |
| 11 | Nashville Nightshade | - | 11 |
| 12 | Atlanta Soul | - | 12 |
Highlight of the Weekend
Manuela Cardenas just has a way to showing up and being superhuman. There were other great catches and throws for goals and assists, but this was the behavior of someone built different.
Up Next
Premier Ultimate League
Medellín (4-0) at Atlanta (0-4)
Atlanta (0-4) at Nashville (0-3)
New York (1-2) at Austin (2-2)
Indy (2-1) at Milwaukee (2-2)
Medellín (4-0) at Nashville (0-3)
