Washington D.C. teams secure titles at Pro Championships
Women’s Division Dominance
The final day of the Pro Championships saw significant outcomes across all divisions, including a dominant performance by Washington D.C. Scandal in the women’s division. Scandal secured their second Triple Crown Tour stop with a decisive 15-3 victory over Seattle Riot in the final. This win marked their third major trophy of the season, following earlier successes at the U.S. Open and a world title just weeks prior.
Scandal’s path to the championship included a 15-11 win against Riot in pool play and a strong showing against BENT in the semifinal. The team’s offense, featuring players like Kira Flores and Anna Cauchy, demonstrated precision and efficiency. Flores was noted for her assists and goals, while Cauchy consistently found open space. Other key offensive contributors included Sami Smalling, Tyler Smith, Kat McGuire, and Malisa Dang. Marie Perivier also made a significant play in the final.
Defensively, Scandal proved to be formidable, forcing numerous turnovers through strong fundamental play and effective marking. Ashleigh Jentilet and Jordan Sorenson were highlighted for their defensive contributions. This consistent performance has led to an undefeated 17-0 record in USAU play and a 9-0 record in international play for Scandal this year.
Beyond the championship match, Pittsburgh Parcha earned a third bid for the Mid-Atlantic region by performing well in consolation play. Parcha defeated Washington D.C. Agency and secured a 15-8 victory against Phoenix in the fifth-place match. Key players for Parcha included Miya Liang and Linn Bjanes, whose speed and agility were instrumental. This outcome means Parcha’s qualification for Nationals depends on outperforming Agency and Grit, both of whom Parcha defeated during the weekend.
In other women’s division results, Denver Molly Brown claimed third place with a 15-13 win over BENT. Molly Brown had previously played a close 15-14 semifinal game against Scandal at the U.S. Open. Phoenix showed signs of improvement during the tournament, securing wins against DC Grit and Agency.
Men’s and Mixed Divisions See Close Contests
In the men’s division, Washington D.C. Truck Stop achieved a comeback victory, defeating Raleigh Ring of Fire for the Pro Championships title. Truck Stop overcame a 12-10 deficit to score five of the next seven points, securing the championship. A block by Louis Betrancourt and a subsequent turfed throw were critical in their late-game surge. Truck Stop’s undefeated weekend included wins against Philadelphia Pacmen and Atlanta Chain Lightning.
Ring of Fire’s Matt Gouchoe-Hanas was a significant contributor in the final, recording six goals and three assists, including a callahan. Ring of Fire reached the final after a universe point victory over Austin Doublewide in the quarterfinal and a win against Pacmen in the semifinal. Doublewide, in a crucial fifth-place matchup, secured a 15-14 victory over Montreal Mephisto, which could help the South Central region earn a second bid for Nationals.
The mixed division saw an upset as Austin Disco Club defeated Ann Arbor Hybrid 15-13 in the final, preventing Hybrid from winning a second consecutive Pro Championships title. Disco Club’s victory marked their first Triple Crown Tour win. Reese Bowman was a key offensive player for Austin, with five goals and one assist, while Jaime Estes provided four assists.
Disco Club’s strategy involved rotating two main lines, using approximately 15 players on both offense and defense, which complicated defensive matchups for Hybrid. Hybrid, despite being undefeated until the final, had previously won the U.S. Open and a World Ultimate Club Championship. Their path to the final included two wins against Fort Collins shame.
Minneapolis Drag ‘n Thrust secured third place in the mixed division by defeating Fort Collins shame. Drag ‘n Thrust had a varied tournament, including a 15-14 win over Boston Slow. Boston Slow was later defeated by fellow Boston team Sprocket in the fifth-place final. Sprocket’s 4-2 record, with all losses by two points or fewer, may contribute to the Northeast region earning a third bid.
Postseason Outlook
The Pro Championships served as the final opportunity for teams to influence rankings before the postseason. Final championship bid allocations and regular season rankings are expected to be published by September 9, 2026. The postseason will commence with Sectionals, where teams will compete for spots in their respective regional tournaments and a chance to qualify for Nationals. Teams that participated in Nationals last year and met the requirements for the Triple Crown Tour will receive a direct bye to Regionals.
The tournament, held in Maryland over Labor Day weekend, featured 24 top club teams across three divisions. Most of these teams were ranked among the top 25 nationally. The event offered an exciting conclusion to the regular season, with significant implications for National Championship bid allocations.
The women’s division saw Washington Scandal, with their undefeated regular season record, solidify their position for a potential first-ever Triple Crown win in the women’s division. Other teams like Denver Molly Brown, New York BENT, and Raleigh Phoenix are in secure postseason positions. Pittsburgh Parcha’s strong showing helped the Mid-Atlantic region secure a third bid, potentially impacting the South Central’s bid allocation if Dallas Dimes‘ 14th place ranking is affected by shifts in the final regular season rankings.
In the men’s division, teams like Montréal Mephisto and Austin Doublewide were motivated to maintain their rankings to secure strength bids for their regions. Doublewide’s victory over Mephisto in the fifth-place match was crucial for the South Central region’s bid hopes. The Northeast region may retain an extra strength bid even if Mephisto falls, due to Portland Red Tide‘s position.
The mixed division’s bid allocations were also subject to change following the Pro Championships. Teams like Ann Arbor Hybrid and Boston Slow were vying for strong postseason positioning. The final regular season rankings will determine the exact bid allocations for all regions by September 9, 2026.
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Source: ultiworld.com
