May 28, 2024
By Evan Lepler
Lukas Ambrose, Seattle Cascades
The reigning UFA Rookie of the Year dominated from the D-line on Saturday in Seattle, setting new career highs in both goals (5) and assists (3) in the Cascades’ 24-15 rout over the Nitro. The 25-year old Lukas Ambrose also produced a career-high 317 total yards while completing all 15 of his throws. With Ambrose leading the way, Seattle sits at 3-2 in the West Division, above .500 through five games for the first time since 2017.
Nate Astrom, Chicago Union
His highlight reel block and ensuing huck got everyone’s attention, and his emergence as a new weapon for the Union could help reshape the Central Division race. Nate Astrom, a 20-year-old who’s still playing college ultimate at the University of Illinois and had previously played in just one career UFA game, tossed five assists, scored one goal, and recorded three blocks during the Union’s two-win weekend down in Texas. He finished with three assists against the Sol on Saturday, lifting Chicago’s record to 3-1, tied with Minnesota atop the division a third of the way through the season.
Luc Comiré, Toronto Rush
In his first two games of the season, Toronto’s Luc Comiré totaled 51 completions and seven turnovers in a pair of losses for the Rush. But on Saturday against Pittsburgh, the 25-year-old handler went a perfect 52-for-52, anchoring the attack against the Thunderbirds in a convincing 21-13 victory. Comire finished with a modest two assists and one goal, but he also picked up four hockey assists and over 400 total yards while keeping the disc moving and consistently maintaining possession for Toronto.
John Lithio, Chicago Union
A steady and consistent force for his new team, John Lithio finished atop the total yards column in both of Chicago’s road wins this past weekend. On Friday in Houston, the two-time UFA champ churned for 538 total yards, the second most in a game in his career. One night later in Austin, Lithio added 328 more yards to his ledger, more than anyone else on a windy night at The Pitch. The 6’5” cutter also completed four of his six hucks across the two games while tallying four assists and four more hockey assists in Chicago’s season-shifting two-win weekend.
Tony Mounga, Salt Lake Shred
Occasionally overshadowed by Salt Lake’s scintillating O-line performers, Tony Mounga’s continued emergence as a defensive dynamo for the Shred needs to be recognized. The almost 24-year-old Utah State alum has evolved into a super consistent playmaker out West, and his performance through the first month will absolutely have him in the UFA All-Defense conversation. Playing 15 D-points against the Growlers on Saturday, Mounga finished with two assists, one goal, one block, and a season-high 165 yards. Furthermore, on a night when the Shred completed just five hucks as a team, Mounga’s 65-yard bomb to Jonny Hoffman midway through the third quarter helped create his team’s first lead of the night, part of a game-changing 6-0 surge that enabled Salt Lake to seize control against San Diego.
John Randolph, New York Empire
Before he cheered on Brown University to another college championship on Monday in Madison, John Randolph’s Memorial Day Weekend began with an impact performance on Friday night against Philadelphia. The 25-year-old Brown alum caught his first career UFA Callahan, part of his three-goal, two-assist, two-block night against the Phoenix, as New York cruised to a 23-15 victory. Randolph also completed all 15 of his throws and helped the Empire D-line convert 10 breaks on 14 chances, as New York finished the night with a season-low seven turnovers as a team.
Bryan Vohnoutka, Minnesota Wind Chill (Pictured)
Friday was another big night for B-Von at Breese Stevens Field, as the Wind Chill Captain led his team with 493 total yards, four assists, three goals, and a block as Minnesota won for the fourth time in its last five trips to Madison, surpassing the Radicals 21-17. Coming off a disappointing home loss to Pittsburgh in Week 4, the Wind Chill again started slowly, but Bryan Vohnoutka’s buzzer-beating sky to close out the opening quarter helped to significantly swing the momentum. Minnesota closed the first half on a 7-3 run and never trailed over the final 24 minutes, prevailing by four and handing the Radicals their first loss of the season.
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