Honor Roll: Week 9


June 26, 2023
By Evan Lepler

Throughout the 2023 season, the AUDL’s weekly honor roll will be revealed each Monday, honoring seven players whose individual exploits merit recognition. The players are listed alphabetically by last name.

Alex Atkins, Colorado Summit

After serving as a primary O-line handler during the Summit’s recent road trip, Alex Atkins shifted into a more downfield receiving role as Jonathan Nethercutt returned to the lineup. Though his immense talent can excel anywhere on the field, it felt pretty obvious that Atkins flexing his muscle as a dynamic deep threat makes Colorado’s offense considerably more dangerous. On Saturday against the Wind Chill, the 24-year-old produced five goals, two assists, and 489 total yards, with no throwaways, helping the Summit snap their three-game losing streak. 

Sean McDougall, Los Angeles Aviators

The Aviators have now won five in a row heading into this Friday’s matchup against undefeated Salt Lake, and, concurrently, Sean McDougall’s All-AUDL candidacy continues to gain momentum. On Saturday against San Diego, the 33-year-old finished with a modest five scores—three goals and two assists—along 27 completions and 402 receiving yards, both season-highs. Furthermore, his 402 receiving yards were the second-most in the league across the 10 games on the Week 9 slate. McDgouall currently leads the league in goals (59) and plus/minus (59) heading into the final month of the regular season. 

Keegan North, Indianapolis AlleyCats (Pictured)

The AlleyCats won their sixth straight thanks in large part to Keegan North’s precision passing. Indy’s North star tallied 50 completions—a career high—with no throwaways in the Cats’ one-goal win in Madison. He also dished six assists, scored a goal, and finished with a game-high 470 total yards, as Indianapolis escaped Breese Stevens Field with a victory for the second straight season. It’s the first time ever that Indy’s gotten wins in Madison two years in a row. 

Andrew Roy, DC Breeze

Since enduring a pair of throwaways in the Breeze’s season opener at Carolina on April 29, Andrew Roy has rediscovered his proud possession-preserving ways, finding his footing in the DC offense. In fact, over his past six games, Roy has completed 274-of-276 passes. Most recently, the 24-year-old went 85-for-85 during the Breeze’s two-win weekend, including a 58-for-58, four-assist effort in Boston on Saturday, as DC defeated the Glory 20-16 to seize control of second place in the East Division heading into this Friday’s clash with the undefeated New York Empire. 

Andrew Sjogren, Chicago Union

There’s something equally poetic and cruel about a pair of former Mechanix both playing great as Detroit’s losing streak reached a comical 69 consecutive games over the weekend. Andrew Sjogren led the Union with six goals and 390 receiving yards in Friday’s 25-20 triumph in Chicago, then added two goals and two assists in Saturday’s 18-12 result in Detroit. The 27-year-old Michigan State alum caught 127 goals in four seasons for the Mechanix, but never once experienced the taste of victory and left for greener pastures. Now, Sjogren’s got 25 goals in eight games with the Union, who are 5-3 and now comfortably in third place in the Central Division, just a game out of first. 

Cody Spicer, Colorado Summit

Back on the Summit’s D-line after platooning in dual roles during Colorado’s three-game skid, Cody Spicer showcased his relentless handler pressure and clinical counter-attacking skills in Saturday’s big win over the Wind Chill. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year produced a pair of blocks, along with five assists and two goals as the Summit converted 11 breaks on the night. It was the first time in 20 career AUDL games that Spicer recorded multiple goals, multiple assists, and multiple blocks all in the same game. 

Jake Steslicki, Chicago Union

A key contributor for the Mechanix back on April 29, 2017—the 27-year-old Michigan alum had five goals and an assist on the day Detroit last won—Jake Steslicki ensured that his former team would not bookend their interminable losing streak with wins over Chicago. At least not yet. In two Union victories over the weekend, Steslicki accumulated six goals, five assists, and two blocks, while completing all 50 of his throws. The pair of plus/minuses, plus-seven on Friday and plus-six on Saturday, were the top two single-game plus-minus performances of his AUDL career. 

2023 Weekly Honor Roll