Recapping two weeks of action! Plus, get to know the rising stars of the Premier Ultimate League!
May 29, 2026 by Emilia Scheemaker and Rhea Patney in Preview, Recap
The WUL enters its last week before Championship Weekend, while PUL enters the back-half of its schedule! With all the excitement, we figure it’s time to highlight some of the PUL rookies who have been showing out on the field. Plus, recaps of the biggest games from the past two weeks and updated power rankings, all in this week’s edition of Four Quarters!
First Quarter: PUL Week 7 & 8 Recaps
Week 7
Atlanta Pushed in Rematch with Nashville
Atlanta Soul defeated Nashville Nightshade 18-14 in a rematch played in Knoxville, TN, but Nashville made it far more competitive than their Week 3 meeting (22-5 Atlanta), pushing this one to 13-12 entering the fourth quarter before Atlanta’s depth and execution created late separation.
The game played in runs on both sides, but each team showed the ability to absorb momentum swings without fully breaking. Nashville’s offense continues to trend upward, looking more settled and confident as rotations stabilize.
Nashville Nightshade was led by Holly Sillivant, who posted four goals, two assists, and two blocks in a strong all-around performance. For Atlanta Soul, Dena Elimelech tallied three goals and four assists, Quincy Booth added four assists, and Tori Taylor made a major defensive impact against her former team with three blocks — all coming in a single second-quarter point.
Atlanta’s trademark balance showed up again in the box score, with 13 different goal scorers and 10 players recording assists, a depth-driven attack that ultimately wore down Nashville late.
Raleigh Rights Ship with Comfortable Win
Raleigh comfortably took down Minnesota 26-14, with Minnesota fielding a short roster of just 16 players. Raleigh opened on a 3-0 break run and controlled the game from the start, taking half 13-6 and never looking back. Julia Hoffmann led the way with six goals, Claire Hackl added five, and Erica Birdsong contributed four assists and two goals; for Minnesota, Danielle Byers Simonelli finished with six goals while Mia Beeman-Weber added five assists.
Philly Surge Collect First Win Over New York
The Philadelphia Surge stayed undefeated with a 17-14 road win over New York Gridlock in Gridlock’s final home game of the season. In gusty conditions, the first quarter turned into a huck-heavy shootout with both teams struggling to consistently connect deep — Surge only connected on three of their huck looks in the game to Gridlock’s eight — before settling into a more patient small-ball style as the game progressed. New York led 6-3 midway through the second quarter, but Philadelphia closed the half on a 4-1 run to tie the game 7-7.
The defining sequence came late in the third, when Emilie Mohler launched a huge backhand huck to Neena Kashyap for a break that swung momentum fully toward the Surge. Philadelphia followed with another score to take their first lead of the game and carried that energy into the fourth quarter, holding Gridlock to just two goals while scoring five of their own.
Grace Maroon paced the Surge with five goals, one assist, and two blocks, while Lindsay McKenna continued her MVP-caliber season with two goals, one assist, and one block. For Gridlock, Abby Hecko posted five goals and one assist, Marié Weverka added four goals, and Sadie Jezierski contributed four goals and four blocks.
Week 8
Indy Secures Revenge Win over Milwaukee
After falling to the Monarchs by one point in Week 2, Indy Red got revenge Saturday with an 18-13 win over Milwaukee. Former Monarch Eileen Bequette starred against her old team, finishing with four goals, two assists, and three blocks, while Maketa Mattimore added three goals and four assists. Lina Montenegro anchored the defense with four blocks. For Milwaukee, Sarah Lipscomb led the way with three goals, two assists, and a block.
Milwaukee opened with a 3-0 run, confidently working through Indy’s zone behind scores from Austin Prucha, Allie Mueting, and Sydney French. Red answered after a timeout with a Bequette-to-Mattimore huck, then tied the game after rookie Nina Laser caught the deep shot from Bequette and launched an outside-in backhand to Lexie Thomas for a layout score. Montenegro later intercepted a centering pass to give Red a short field, and Rachel Mast converted to cap the quarter and tie the game.
Red took control in the second. A Monarchs miscue led to a short-field score from Sydney Loughran, and Bequette continued to torch Milwaukee deep, repeatedly coming down with contested hucks through contact. Milwaukee answered with a cross-field backhand from Sydney French to Dana Demmert, but Indy kept generating breaks, including a fast-break connection from Isabelle Deputy to Montenegro. Milwaukee still found success moving through Indy’s zone, notably on a Jacqueline Jarik assist to Prucha, but Bequette ended the half with a layout block as Indy took an 8-5 lead.
Red extended the margin after halftime as Bequette hauled in another deep shot from Rachael Graber. The teams traded clean holds throughout the quarter, including a beautiful around backhand from Shriver to Lipscomb for Milwaukee, but Indy maintained control and entered the fourth quarter ahead 13-9.
The Monarchs made one final push behind scores from Sadie Reding (off a back corner hammer from Prucha), Lipscomb, and Shriver, but Indy answered every challenge. Mast and Bequette added fourth-quarter goals before Deputy found Graber for a layout score to seal the 18-13 victory.
Milwaukee had several opportunities to swing the game, including possessions at the end of the second and third quarters that failed to convert, but Indy consistently capitalized on short fields and won the battle in the deep space. Both teams showed a willingness to attack downfield with blading flick hucks and cross-field backhands, but Red’s playmakers — especially Bequette — proved to be the difference.
Atlanta Cruise in Texas
Atlanta Soul took down Austin Torch 21-11 in Texas. Despite missing offensive center handler Quincy Booth to the College Championships (where she broke the record for all-time leading assist scorer at the tournament, by the way), the Soul pulled away 7-3 in the first quarter and never looked back.
Second Quarter: WUL Week 10 Recaps
Rematch: Seattle Tempest 16 – 11 Oregon Soar
The Seattle Oregon rematch was a game gone to seed, with a 16-11 Seattle win over Oregon. It wasn’t without its usual playmakers: Caitlin Fitzgerald (OR) had a set of high-flying bids, and a real heads-up play from Gemma Munck (SEA) started with a tip and ended with a Callahan.
San Diego 18- 16 Colorado Alpenglow
If you were looking for big shots and big plays this weekend, then this game delivered. The teams started out trading points, but it was Colorado that showed up with hucks fired from Ari Nelson (6A) or Abby Thorpe (2G/2A/1B) that captured the eye early in the game. Colorado completed 58% of their hucks, often finding Kennedy McCarthy in the end zone. McCarthy had a standout game with six goals and one assist.
Even with chemistry clicking into place for Colorado, they could not keep a lid on San Diego, and Super Bloom quickly pulled away. By the end of the first quarter San Diego had a three points over Alpenglow, a lead they would maintain for nearly the entirety of the match.
For Super Bloom it was Kaela Helton (1G/5A/2B) and Kaitlyn Weaver (2G/2A/3B) who topped the stats, but this team has solidified a strategy that makes them hard to compete with. It’s not just the top of the roster driving wins. Super Bloom spread their goals out across 12 players during their game against Colorado. That kind of balance across the roster requires opponents to step up on every match up in every point, a pace that is difficult to maintain for the most disciplined squads.
Both teams have one game left in the regular season to solidify their place in the standings and secure that championship spot. If things continue as they are, we could be seeing a rematch between these two teams in the semis.
Bay Area Falcons 17 – 15 Arizona Sidewinders
Bay Area Falcons secured a 17-15 win over the Arizona Sidewinders after converting only two of the 19 break opportunities. It’s a heartbreaking loss for the Sidewinders, who played a very consistent game, leading in the first quarter, but suffered from a scoring slowdown in the second period.
Third Quarter: Meet the Match Makers (PUL Rookies)
Edi Lam (New York Gridlock)
Edi Lam has already shown impressive versatility for Gridlock this season, recording three goals, four assists, and a block through three games. Lam began playing ultimate in 2021 at Tufts University and has played club with Boston Brute Squad since 2023. Off the field, they coach Tufts EWO and work at a bagel store, while on the field they seem comfortable doing just about everything — handling in the backfield, popping into space downfield, defending both handlers and deep cutters, and confidently attacking with athleticism and strong throws.
Rachael Kern (Milwaukee Monarchs)
Rachael Kern has quickly become a steady presence in the backfield for the Monarchs’ offensive line. Through four games, she has recorded 10 assists and two blocks while consistently helping the offense stay composed against different defensive looks. Kern played collegiately with Ramma Jamma at the University of Alabama and has also suited up for Heist in Wisconsin club. Off the field, she works as a Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic Systems — and on the field, she seems just as good at finding scoring solutions for the Monarchs’ offense. Always looking for the continue throw and comfortable directing traffic as a handler, Kern looks like a player with a very bright future in the league.
Zoe Costanza (Philadelphia Surge)
Fresh off winning D-III Women’s Player of the Year and the Donovan Award with the Haverford/Bryn Mawr Sneetches, Zoe Costanza has carried that momentum straight into the PUL with Philadelphia Surge. In college, she impacted every part of the game, from layout Ds to launching hucks, and on a deep Surge roster she has quickly become a consistent defender while making smart, well-timed cuts in the end zone. In just three games, Costanza has already scored 10 goals while adding an assist and a block, and is cool as a cucumber under pressure, all while playing in her trademark glasses (I still don’t know how they stay on, given she is everywhere on the field).
Isabelle Deputy (Indy Red)
In her PUL debut with Indy Red, Isabelle Deputy immediately made an impact with four blocks and an assist. She added three assists this past weekend versus the Monarchs. A senior at Case Western Reserve University and their Callahan nominee, Deputy is a relentless shutdown defender known for her closing speed and layout Ds. Though she has only appeared in three games for Red so far, the biomedical engineering student has already shown the athleticism and defensive instincts that could make her a key PUL player in the future.
Mia Beeman-Weber (Minnesota Strike)
Minnesota rookie Mia Beeman-Weber has quickly become one of the Strike’s most important backfield players. Fresh off a national championship game appearance with Carleton Syzygy, they bring size, composure, and excellent throwing ability to Minnesota’s offense. Beeman-Weber is a reliable decision maker in the end zone and is never afraid to attack deep with consistent, accurate hucks. They dished five assists in Minnesota’s recent game against Radiance and currently lead the team with 12 total assists, while also adding five goals and seven blocks this season.
Ellie Thomson (Atlanta Soul)
Atlanta’s roster is loaded with veterans, but rookie Ellie Thomson has still carved out an important role for the Soul offense. Through five games, Thomson has recorded six goals, three assists, one block, and 0 turns while primarily playing offensive points. A sharp cutter who excels at clearing space and staying disciplined within the flow of the offense, Thomson has brought steady, efficient play to Atlanta’s O-line. She previously played club with Tabby Rosa out of Gainesville, Florida.
Advika Basden (Austin Torch)
For a very young Austin roster, there were plenty of rookies to choose from, but Advika Basden stands out. Basden only started playing ultimate three years ago in Austin Ultimate’s 2023 winter league, yet already looks like a natural fit at the professional level. Currently pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin while also playing with Texas Melee, Basden has quickly developed into a dangerous deep cutter and lockdown defender with elite speed, strong spatial awareness, and the versatility to contribute on both offensive and defensive lines. Through Austin’s first three games, she recorded three goals and four blocks — an impressive start for someone so new to the sport. Given how rapidly she has developed, Basden looks like a player with an exceptionally high ceiling.
Lily Johnson (DC Shadow)
DC Shadow rookie Lily Johnson, a senior at American University and their Callahan Award nominee, has already made an impact in her first season at the pro level. A fearless cutter who is always hunting the next big play, Johnson consistently wins matchups with diving and rolling grabs, high-point skies, and aggressive attacks on the disc. In just two games with Shadow this season, she has recorded four goals and two assists with only one turnover, primarily playing on the O-line. She looks like another strong young piece in DC’s already deep roster.
Holly Sillivant (Nashville Nightshade)
Watching Holly Sillivant on Nashville’s O-line, you would not think she is a PUL rookie — she has become an immediate staple of the offense. Sillivant has been slicing up defenses all season with confident cutting and a knack for finishing points, including multiple layout scores in the end zone. Part of the Huntsville, Alabama contingent on Nightshade, she has developed strong chemistry with fellow Huntsville teammates Sara Mog and Savannah Sillivant (her sister-in-law, not sister, despite occasional broadcast confusion). Through the season, Sillivant leads the Nightshade in goals (15) and assists (10) while collective four blocks, emerging as one of Nashville’s most impactful contributors.
Sadie Cutler (Raleigh Radiance)
Sadie Cutler may be a PUL rookie, but she is no stranger to professional ultimate after previously playing for Utah Wild in the WUL. Playing primarily on Raleigh’s D-line, Cutler has recorded four goals, two assists, and a block through four games while establishing herself as a talented defensive cutter. She does an excellent job of dictating positioning defensively and using her athleticism to disrupt offenses. Cutler only started playing ultimate four years ago after joining the University of Utah team in 2022, and has also been a practice player for Dark Sky Ultimate. Given how quickly she has developed without even a full club background yet, her long-term ceiling looks incredibly high.
Fourth Quarter: The Weekend Ahead
PUL Week 9
New York Gridlock at Indy Red
Gridlock and Red have both lost to Philadelphia Surge. This game is the one that determines who lost worse and who deserves that second spot in the North Division. Gridlock have pulled together more wins so far, but things change quickly in the PUL. Indy will need to bring their A game to break through the packed NY roster and punch in a win, but if they’re both fighting for the same spot at Championship Weekend, then the trouble may be worth it.
Rematch: Raleigh Radiance at DC Shadow
DC Shadow have (so far) lumbered through the PUL season and taken home their winnings without too much trouble. But Raleigh has stirred up some good trouble in the past. A challenge from DC Shadow might be what it takes to get the spark back in this team. Then again, this isn’t the first time this season these two have come together. In Week Two, DC squeezed out a 21-17 win. Not an insurmountable difference for a Raleigh team that went to Champ Weekend only last year.
WUL Week 12
The final week of the WUL brings every team back to the field. Check out the last week of regular season games from the lineup below.
Seattle Tempest at Los Angeles Astra
The last regular season matchup between Seattle and LA brings together two teams that couldn’t have more different play styles. Seattle Tempest have leaned toward big hucks, athletic plays, and standout performances from the top of its roster. Meanwhile, LA Astra thrive on small ball, small spaces, and quick decisive cutting. This could be the hardest matchup for these two teams, adapting to a style that doesn’t suit. That said, we still expect to see Seattle at the top of the Northwest Conference when the dust settles.
Rematch: Colorado Alpenglow at Utah Wild
Colorado and Utah have had a chance to take each other’s measure. They met back in Week 9, and Colorado went home with more than twice as many points. But Utah could improve on that record; after all, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Oregon Soar at Bay Area Falcons
Likely the most interesting game on offer this weekend is the match up between Oregon Soar and the Bay Area Falcons. The Falcons have shown they’re hungry for the top spot in the Southwest Conference, although they haven’t taken it yet. And Soar have made some rumblings about upsetting Colorado for the second spot in the Northwest Conference. But it’s likely that only one of these teams will join the postseason. Oregon is sure to capitalize on the opportunity to show out in the last game of the season, but it’s Bay that needs the momentum as the Falcons move forward.
San Diego Super Bloom at Arizona Sidewinders
San Diego will make the trip down to Arizona to rehash their game from Week 5. The last time these two teams met, Super Bloom rounded up the win with a handy 23-10 scoreline. The win wouldn’t do much for the Arizona Sidewinders (besides bolstering that end-of-season pride), but for Super Bloom, this is a must-win game to keep them on top of the Southwest Conference. They need the win — and the point differential — to keep them trending above the Bay Area Falcons as they head into Championship Weekend.
WUL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Prior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bay Area Falcons | - | 1 |
| 2 | San Diego Super Bloom | - | 2 |
| 3 | Seattle Tempest | - | 3 |
| 4 | Colorado Alpenglow | - | 4 |
| 5 | Oregon Soar | - | 5 |
| 6 | Arizona Sidewinders | - | 6 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Astra | - | 7 |
| 8 | Utah Wild | - | 8 |
- Despite close battles from Arizona against the Bay Area and Colorado against San Diego, the pecking order remains.
PUL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Prior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DC Shadow | - | 1 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Surge | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | New York Gridlock | -1 | 2 |
| 4 | Atlanta Soul | - | 4 |
| 5 | Raleigh Radiance | - | 5 |
| 6 | Indianapolis Red | - | 6 |
| 7 | Minnesota Strike | - | 7 |
| 8 | Milwaukee Monarchs | - | 8 |
| 9 | Austin Torch | - | 9 |
| 10 | Nashville Nightshade | - | 10 |
- Just one swap this week, but it’s a big one: Philadelphia moves into second overall with a win over New York (in New York no less). Surge are in pole position in the North Conference, with no losses on the season and only one remaining game, a rematch against New York on home turf.
