It only took one quarter for the Growlers to get past the Aviators.

Despite a Herculanean performance from Jonathan Lyle, the Aviators could not take down the San Diego Growlers in their fourth matchup against each other this season, falling 21-19. 

While Los Angeles only lost the second quarter, the four-point advantage in the frame proved to be enough for the Growlers, who relied on a strong performance from former Aviator Daniel Brunker and his six-score, one-block outing.

For the first time this season, the Aviators held the advantage after the first frame, going up 5-4 following the opening 12 minutes. Lyle was an important catalyst to start off the game and scored or assisted three of the O-line’s four goals in the period. That was just the start for Lyle, who has continued to get better throughout the season. 

Finishing with four assists and six goals, Lyle contributed on 52.6% of the Aviators’ goals. Although Lyle only tied his career-high score total — he had a 10-score performance against Houston earlier this season — the North Carolina native had a personal best 8 +/- after only one throwaway and is setting himself up for a spot on the UFA All-Rookie Team.

Brunker tried to match Lyle’s performance in the next quarter, bookending a 4-0 run with a pair of goals for the Growlers to gain the separation San Diego needed to win. Now with a career high in both assists and total scores, Brunker always plays well against the Aviators with at least three scores in all of his four career games against LA.

With Brunker and Lyle battling it out, the Aviators still had a chance to win after trailing 10-7 at halftime despite slipping in the second.

LA’s D-line did its work in the third quarter, earning two breaks across the first five points of the period to tie the game at 11. 

Max Combs notched his second block of the game in what has been a stellar rookie season, tying him at eighth in the UFA with his team-leading 14 blocks. After the longest point of the period, Combs also scored the game-tying break to capitalize on a block from Andrew Padula, who has at least one block in five of the eight games he’s played in.

The Aviators only needed to hold on O-line and earn one more break, but the Growlers continued to show why they’re in prime position for their first playoff berth since 2022. 

After a quick San Diego hold, Los Angeles played patient offense to advance the disc past midfield with 21 clean passes, but the Growlers gobbled up a floaty inside throw to earn a break chance. It only took San Diego four throws to find Max Gibson, who slung it 46 yards to put the Growlers on the doorstep. Casey Shugarman completed the break with an assist to stretch the advantage to two points.

San Diego’s D-line conversion rate was on point throughout the game, capitalizing on 70% of its chances. The Growlers sit at sixth in the UFA with their 55% D-line conversion rate, but raise the bar against their Los Angeles rivals. In three of the four matchups this season, San Diego has converted at a 62% clip or better.

With the strong defensive showing from their opponents, the Aviators needed a Callahan from Nicholas Dunbar to make up for a turnover on the ensuing point, but the deficit remained at two heading in the final frame.

Even after earning a break and slashing the lead to one with four minutes left in the game, the Aviators could not complete the comeback after the Growlers broke back with 2:10 remaining to put the game away.

Although it has not clinched a playoff spot yet, San Diego only needs to win its final game against the Oakland Spiders or hope Carolina loses one of its final three games of the season.

At 2-7, LA was already out of playoff contention, but can make sure it does not finish last in the South Division when it travels to Texas to play the Houston Havoc and the Austin Sol on the road, two teams the Aviators have already played tightly this season. With both games in the Lone Star State, fans can watch the action at https://www.watchufa.tv/.