By: Chenxi Sun

Blaine, Minn. (Aug. 6, 2017) – Sunday competition began with a power match up between Seattle and Boston. Both teams had trouble finding their groove early in the game, but Seattle made the necessary adjustments in the second half and pulled away for a statement win over a strong Boston BUDA team. Seattle got contributions up and down their roster, but Jennifer Nguyen and Ally Constantino were standouts for the Seattle squad. On the flip side, Zoe Hecht was a dominant force for BUDA; she came down with several spectacular catches.

In the U-17 division, Seattle Eclipse and the Triangle Kitty Hawks squared off and showcased the bright future of women’s ultimate. With depth and crisp, patient offense, the Kitty Hawks gave Eclipse all they could handle. Grace Conerly and Calli Merron got open at will for the Kitty Hawks, while players like 12(!)-year old Harper Baer were generating blocks with huge layouts on defense. Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Kitty Hawks ultimately fell short against a more experienced Seattle team.

However, the biggest story of the day came from the U-20 division: D.C. Forge’s upset of Seattle. Despite making quick work of the rest of their pool, Seattle fell to a much-improved D.C. team in the quarterfinals. The game was the first Seattle lost in program history, ending a string of 12 straight championships. D.C. no doubt benefited from an infusion of talent after many girls from the two-time mixed champions, Swing Vote, decided to play single-gender at YCC instead this year.

Rogue will face Cincinnati Belle in the semifinals, with Boston BUDA and the Triangle Area Warhawks matching up in the other semi.

Three of those same communities are in the semifinals in the U-17 division. The first semifinal is also a Seattle-Cincinnati match up. The Triangle is still alive in the division as well. The Kitty Hawks will face 2016 finalists Maine Rip Tide in the semifinals on Monday morning.