July 19, 2025
With the #3 seed in the South Division already clinched, the San Diego Growlers traveled north to Oakland to face the Spiders, who were looking to secure a home playoff game in the West Division. With many players at Master's Nationals and others resting, the Growlers were primarily focused on getting healthy for the playoffs, but also wanted to play hard and compete at the same time.
In typical Oakland conditions, the upwind/downwind game started with holds from each team, then the Spiders drew first blood with two consecutive breaks and a 3-1 lead. The Growlers punched back with a Marcel Osborne goal, then earned their first break to tie the game with a Casey Shugarman to Ethan Li score. Oakland held on offense then broke again before Matt Miller connected with Max Gibson on a deep pass, 5-4. The Spiders bit back with a hold and another break, and the the Growlers scored last with a Stefan Samu goal to end the quarter 7-5.
Oakland scored to start the second quarter and San Diego also held with a Max Hume goal, but it took nearly 4 minutes due to several turnovers. The teams traded time intensive goals again, highlighted by a Khalif El-Salaam backhand huck to Miller. The Spiders proceeded to take command with a hold and a break to go into halftime with the momentum and the 11-7 lead.
San Diego could not afford many more offensive hiccups, but the first possession of the third quarter resulted in a throwaway and a Spiders break score. The Growlers kept fighting with an Oliver Artus goal, then a Gibson block led to a Max Hume to Li break score, 12-9. But just as they responded in the first half, the Spiders once again held and cashed in a break opportunity to push their lead to five. The teams traded and San Diego did well to score last, but still found themselves trailing 15-11.
In the fourth and final quarter of the regular season, the Spiders held on offense and drained 2:30 minutes of clock in the process, which all but sealed the game. Kobi McCracken showed off his disc skills with a lefty scoober assist to Peter Lenz, but the clock was the enemy as time wound down. The Growlers secured a late break score after a Will Turner block and a Tynan Sander goal, but ultimately fell to the Spiders 17-14.
The Growlers were led by Max Gibson (2 assists, 1 goal, 3 blocks) and Stefan Samu (1 assist, 1 goal, 2 blocks) with +4 performances. Max Hume (1 assist, 2 goals) and Tynan Sander (2 goals, 1 block) were solid with +3 games each as well.
Next up, the Growlers will travel to Austin in a South Division playoff battle with the Sol on Saturday, July 26 at 5 pm PT / 7 pm CT. Austin narrowly defeated San Diego 23-21 on June 7 in a game the Growlers let slip away, so they will be hungry for revenge in this exciting first round playoff matchup on WatchUFA.tv!
