Austin sweeps Chicago in Benepe Cup finals, completes first-ever three-peat
The Austin Outlaws hoist the Benepe Cup for the third consecutive season after defeating the Chicago Prowl in two games.
Against an upstart Chicago Prowl franchise coming off a shocking upset of the New York Titans in the semifinals, the Austin Outlaws secured their third consecutive Benepe Cup title, completing an undefeated season and the first three-peat in league history. They survived a tough challenge in game one by a score of 155-100 thanks to a flag runner catch by seeker Michael Parada and claimed a more comfortable victory in game two, 195-80.
Chicago came out confident in the opener, looking to give Austin everything they had. Byron Ng, who had a spectacular weekend behind the hoops, proving to be one of the best young chasers in the country, converted an assist from Emma Vasquez, herself a standout contributor the entire season for the Prowl. The Outlaws responded with 40-10 run, but the Prowl fought back with two quick goals of their own, including a jaw-dropping pump fake from Vasquez.
In the middle portion of the game, Austin tried to create some separation behind a vintage performance from keeper Augustine Monroe, the undisputed GOAT of the sport. Monroe finished with three goals and three assists, including two dimes to chaser Mel Kite. But Chicago hung with the Outlaws and tied the game at 80-80 shortly after the 20-minute mark.
With Chicago playing to parity with Austin before flag runner on pitch, the difference ultimately was the dodgeball control around the seekers of beaters Daniel Williams and Jackson Johnson, a virtual constant throughout the weekend for the Outlaws. They formed an indefatigable tag-team with unmatched chemistry and unfailing instincts.
When the rest of the Austin seeker rotation was unable to take advantage of the windows, the decorated veteran Parada subbed into the game at seeker. It was a moment of the highest drama. Parada, who won the US Quadball club national championship in the spring as a player with The Warriors and the IQA World Cup last month as head coach for the US National Team, was grasping for the Triple Crown. Additionally, the Benepe Cup was the only trophy that he had not yet claimed during his long and illustrious career. Against experienced finals flag runner Adil Abdalla, Parada secured the grab and ended the game in favor of Austin.
After spending so much of their energy to knock off New York in three games and giving their best effort to steal game one from Austin, Chicago did not manage to keep game two as close. Keeper Ryley Andrews, perhaps the single breakout quadball carrier of the summer, shouldered a heavy two-way burden. He finished the game with four goals to lead the way for the Prowl on offense and also served as their most dependable source of flawless hits.
It was not enough though, as chaser Josh Johnson scored six goals and Kaci Erwin added two more as she toggled between chasing and beating. Johnson in particular turned in a second consecutive dominant performance at the MLQ Championship, reaffirming that there is no better chaser in the world right now. After experienced seeker Eric Reyes caught the flag runner to bring Austin within a goal of the title, Johnson converted on a pass from Monroe in a poetic passing-of-the-torch play.
The Outlaws finished the season with an 18-0 record, defeating the Boston Forge, the Washington Admirals, and the Chicago Prowl en route to the title.