May 24, 2025

After an exhilarating double overtime win in Carolina the night before, the Growlers (4-1) flew south to Atlanta (5-0) for the UFA Game of the Week rematch on May 24. Just two weeks before, the Hustle came away with the SportCenter #2 Top Play in their unbelievable buzzer-beater victory in San Diego, so the Growlers were hungry for revenge.

Atlanta started the game on offense, but San Diego's defense forced an overthrow and Khalif El-Salaam threw a smooth backhand to Will Turner for the break. On the next point, Max Gibson intercepted the second Hustle pass and quickly tossed to Reggie Sung for another break and the early 2-0 lead. The offenses started to find their flow after, with both teams trading several holds. Matt Miller and Marcel Osborne made two impressive skying grabs over defenders for goals, but Alec Wilson-Holliday had two spectacular layouts for Hustle scores as well. On their final offensive possession of the quarter up 6-5, a Growlers drop gave Atlanta a last second chance, but the disc floated out of bounds at the buzzer.

San Diego began the second quarter with a hold, but Atlanta countered with a score and two straight breaks after Growlers' turnovers to take an 8-7 lead. Backs against the wall, San Diego temporarily stopped the bleeding with a KJ Koo assist to Milller for an up-line strike score. The Hustle really put their foot on the gas pedal with a hold and promptly converted two more breaks for an 11-8 lead and all the momentum. The Growlers adjusted with more possession oriented offense and scored when Jesse Cohen tossed to El-Salaam. Atlanta held with 16 seconds remaining, then San Diego completed several passes until Miller put up a forehand into the end zone which was deflected to Oliver Artus who laid out for the buzzer-beater, 12-10.

The Hustle held on offense, then made a great defensive play for a Callahan score, but San Diego punched back with a Travis Dunn goal. The battle of offenses continued in the perfect weather conditions with neither team yielding a break for several possessions. Jesse Cohen recorded 2 assists and Dunn tallied 2 goals in the quarter. But Atlanta's offense was close to flawless and executed another end of quarter buzzer-beater for the 19-15 advantage.

The Growlers remained focused and fought through the second day of back-to-back games, and Miller found Osborne for a goal to begin the fourth quarter. San Diego made it tough on themselves after an Atlanta hold and then gave up a break, 21-16. Oliver Artus threw a great floating flick to Koo for the hold, then the Growlers called timeout after a Hustle turnover. In a critical possession that kept them in the contest, Cohen hit El-Salaam for a break with 5:10 remaining, 21-18. Atlanta once again answered with an unreal bobble catch for the goal, but San Diego punched back with a hold. After a Hustle throwaway, the Growlers had a couple great chances to cut the lead to two, but were unable to do so despite some gritty effort and plays. The clock ran out after a valiant effort, but Atlanta emerged victorious 23-19 to remain undefeated.

Khalif El-Salaam (4 assists, 2 goals) and Jesse Cohen (4 assists) led the pack with +4 performances. Travis Dunn, Oliver Artus, Max Gibson, KJ Koo, and Matt Miller were solid with +3 games as well.

Next up, San Diego hosts the Houston Havoc on Saturday, May 31 at Mission Bay HS.