Austin outlasts Washington, makes seventh straight finals
Austin Outlaws chaser Mel Kite scored the winning goal against the Washington Admrials in game two on a solo effort for the ages.
In a rematch of their legendary quarterfinals clash last season, the Austin Outlaws outlasted the Washington Admirals, imposing their will during a 185-60 blowout in game one but needing to survive an energetic comeback attempt by the Admirals in game two. With the scoreboard at 160-155, chaser Mel Kite scored a dramatic highlight reel goal to clinch a seventh consecutive Benepe Cup finals berth for the Outlaws.
Austin dominated Washington in game one. US National Team beaters Daniel Williams and Jackson Johnson came out of the gate firing, putting the vaunted Admirals offense under heavy pressure from keeper zone to keeper zone. They ran a mark defense in the chaser game, a departure from their longtime preference for zone looks.
After a well-worked opening goal by chaser Rachel Heald, Washington appeared increasingly flummoxed. The combination of consistent full-court press dodgeball control and active hands by stalwart defensive chasers like Kaci Erwin for the Outlaws left few openings. Capitalizing on turnover after turnover, chaser Josh Johnson scored an early hat trick with a rapid series of ankle-breaking jukes on the fast break and keeper Miguel Esparza followed with three consecutive goals of his own in the middle portion of the contest. Seeker Pierce Wilson caught the flag runner to seal the deal for the Outlaws.
Although the final score was much closer, Austin started the second game not too differently than they started game one. Johnson calmly collected a pair of buckets off brooms up and though Washington matched Austin with two early goals, the Outlaws soon raced ahead to a 90-40 lead. Veteran chaser Andrew Axtell slotted two goals in the middle of a run that appeared to signal the end for Washington.
Yet the Admirals, with the crucial beating pair of Bernie Berges and Katryna Hicks having just arrived at the tournament, fought back with their fast-paced, hyper-aggressive style of play. Chaser Julia Rankin finished off two impressive goals during a resilient stretch for the Admirals offense. Still down 40 points after the furious rally though, it was the flag runner catch of seeker T.J. Generette that really made the contest competitive. The catch brought the score to 120-115 and suddenly put the result in doubt.
With the crowd on Pitch One at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex reenergized and the indoor atmosphere electric, the Admirals traded goals with the Outlaws for the first time in the series. They brought the game to a next-goal-wins scenario for both teams and needed a defensive stop to have a chance to complete one of the largest comebacks of all time. With all the momentum on the side of Washington, Austin chaser Mel Kite rescued her team with an individual effort for the ages. She pump faked and scored a solo goal from an impossible position deep behind the hoops.
Austin advances to the Benepe Cup finals, where they will try to complete a perfect season and win the first-ever three-peat in MLQ history against the North Division champion Chicago Prowl.