Growlers Split Pacific NW Roadtrip

April 27-28, 2024.  Photo Credit: Flatball Photography

The San Diego Growlers traveled north to face the Seattle Cascades in the opening weekend of the 2024 UFA season. Weather conditions at Memorial Stadium were less than ideal with wind and rain throughout the day.

Seattle jumped out to an early lead with a hold and a break, but San Diego got on the board with a Matt Miller assist to Peter Lenz, who was facing his former team. The Cascades were fired up and rattled off 3 straight scores before Travis Dunn found Lenz on the sideline, 5-2. Seattle closed out the first quarter with two more goals and prevented the Growlers from scoring at the buzzer.

The Growlers responded with two Tom Konogeris goals, but the Cascades answered back with two holds and a break to go ahead 10-4. The teams traded, but Seattle continued to capitalize on San Diego throwaways with breaks. As the first half came to a close, the Growlers finished strong after a Maxwell Hume to Jordan Queckboerner hold, a block by Casey Shugarman, and a Lenz forehand to Miller, 11-7.

San Diego secured their first break of the game after Queckboerner’s hand block and bookend goal, sandwiched by several turnovers from each team in the wind and rain. The Growlers had a great chance at another break, but a red zone turnover led to a Cascades full field strike, and another quick break, 14-8. Oliver Artus stopped the bleeding with an assist to Dunn, and the teams would trade a couple of holds. At 16-10, the Cascades avalanche began with 5 straight breaks that included a callahan, a dropped pull, and a buzzer beater.

With all the momentum going Seattle’s way, there was almost no chance of a comeback for the Growlers, but they kept fighting. The teams traded scores to start the fourth quarter, but the Cascades notched several more breaks to end the game, with the eventual score of 28-14.

The Growlers were led by Tom Konogeris (5 goals, 1 block) with a +6 performance. Jordan Queckboerner (2 goals, 1 block) added a +3 game, and Matt Miller (1 assists, 3 goals) was solid with +2.

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Needing to regroup after a tough loss the night before, the Growlers took aim towards the Portland Nitro and looked to bounce back at the Kiggins Bowl.

Getting exactly the start they were seeking, San Diego held on offense, then secured a break when Ethan Li connected with Taylor Gilman, 2-0. Portland scored on the next point which led to a series of solid offensive scores from each team. Travis Dunn tallied 4 assists, highlighted by a couple deep throws to Matt Miller and Oliver Artus. The Nitro got their break back after a Growlers throwaway near the end of the first quarter, 6-6.

The second quarter saw the Growlers earn two break scores, but the Nitro countered with a hold and a break of their own. After a San Diego hold, Casey Shugarman registered a block, and Eli Salmon fed Ben Levinsky for the break, 10-8. The Growlers finished off the half strong with two more breaks with Casey Wu slinging to Dunn and Stefan Samu assisting to Max Hume, 12-8.

The Growlers found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter, but the Nitro matched them with a couple holds. Stopping the trades, Ethan Li dove for the layout block which resulted in Caden Sigerud finding Samu for the break, 16-10. The holds continued until Portland got a break back and scored at the buzzer to pull within four, 18-14.

San Diego’s defense took over in the last quarter, with a Ben Levinsky block that led to a Samu to Sigerud break score. More pressure led to a Portland turnover and Taylor Gilman’s blade found the hand of a diving Reggie Sung. The third break in a row was capped off by a huge Sigerud layout catch then dish to Samu for a momentous 21-14 lead with 7:11 remaining. Portland was able to notch a couple of goals but the Growlers kept scoring as well and eventually secured their first win of the season, 23-16.

The Growlers were led by Travis Dunn (7 assists, 3 goals, 1 block) with a +8 performance. Caden Sigerud (2 assists, 3 goals, 1 block) and Stefan Samu (3 assists, 2 goals) added a pair +5 games.

Next up, San Diego will host the defending West Division Champion Salt Lake Shred on Friday, May 3 at Mesa College at 7 pm.