May 9, 2026

After suffering a close loss to the Carolina Flyers in their home opener, the Growlers were anxious to right the ship and get revenge against the Atlanta Hustle in the UFA Game of the Week. Exactly one year ago, Atlanta defeated San Diego on a SportsCenter Top 10 Play buzzer beater, and the Hustle eventually went on to beat the Growlers in the 2025 South Division Playoff Championship as well. This early season matchup was pivotal for potential tie-breaking purposes, since this would be their only meeting of the 2026 regular season.

Atlanta received the opening pull, but Max Combs earned the first block of the game and was quickly rewarded by Will Turner who launched him the disc for the bookend break score. After a Hustle throwaway, the Growlers called timeout and recorded another break when Khalif El-Salaam connected with Marcel Osborne. Ben Levinsky caused an Atlanta turnover with a great defensive boxout of Brett Hulsmeyer in the end zone, and San Diego marched the length of field for their third break when Max Gibson found Stefan Samu for an early 3-0 lead. Despite blocks from Reggie Sung and Matt Miller, the Hustle eventually scored their first goal after a hectic back and forth possession. Both teams started to settle into their normal offensive rhythms by trading two goals each before the quarter ended, with the Growlers ahead 5-3.

San Diego began the second quarter scoring with a Brandon Van Deusen goal, and had a great break chance on the next possession, but Atlanta held serve. The Hustle took advantage of a couple Growlers turnovers with two consecutive breaks to tie the game at 6-6. San Diego got back on track with a Miller strike to El-Salaam, and Atlanta followed suit with a hold. The Growlers proceeded to take the lead with 15 seconds left with an Osborne to Daniel Brunker goal, and KJ Koo intercepted a Hustle throw as the quarter ended, 8-7.

Coming out of halftime, the Hustle advanced the disc downfield and had their eyes on a game tying assist, but Gibson closed in with a huge block, and the Growlers were opportunistic with a Combs to Samu break. Atlanta countered with a hold and a break score of their own to tie the game at 9s. Both teams traded multiple offensive holds, highlighted by a terrific El-Salaam lefty sky and a perfect deep forehand from Miller to Travis Dunn. San Diego interrupted the string of holds when Levinsky flew in for a block, then Gibson rose up for a contested grab and dished to Koo for the break and the 13-11 lead. Atlanta bounced back with a timely goal and prevented San Diego’s final score attempt as the third quarter expired.

The Growlers started the fourth quarter and patiently advanced the disc for a couple minutes until Gibson carved the frisbee into El-Salaam for the 14-12 lead. On the next Atlanta possession, Combs registered a critical block, and San Diego quickly called timeout to substitute in their offensive line. The Growlers were in no rush and after several whistles and stoppages, Van Deusen’s blade to Osborne provided a three goal cushion with 6:39 remaining. After some great defensive pressure, Atlanta found an opening for a long downfield throw for the much needed goal, 15-13. San Diego received the pull and completed several passes, and after a couple of close calls and deflections, Miller zipped an assist in to Van Deusen, who absorbed the contact for a huge goal with only 2:37 remaining. The Hustle's quick deep score attempt was blocked by Gibson, but then a Growlers throwaway led to a Hustle goal with 1:21 on the clock, 16-14. San Diego played keep away until Atlanta intercepted a floaty swing pass and broke with 8.5 seconds remaining to get within one score, 16-15. The Hustle executed a sideline double team, but Miller calmly stepped through the mark and completed a pass and Dunn held the disc for a dramatic Growlers victory!

This was San Diego’s first win of the 2026 season and their first ever triumph against the Atlanta Hustle (0-3 in 2025). The Growlers were led by Khalif El-Salaam (3 assists, 2 goals) and Max Gibson (3 assists, 2 blocks) with +5 performances. Matt Miller (3 assists, 1 block), Marcel Osborne (2 assists, 3 goals, 1 turnover), and Max Combs (1 assist, 1 goal, 2 blocks) all contributed +4 games. Full game highlights can be viewed here.

Next up, San Diego will face a road test against their NorCal rival, the Oakland Spiders, on Sunday, May 17.