Photo by Paul Rutherford of UltiPhotos
By: Avery Martin
The anticipation mounted for Glory to begin their season as defending champions against the DC Breeze. On a chilly Boston night, the crowd at Hormel Stadium bundled up and brought the energy. Glory delivered with a statement win.
Boston kicked off their season in dominant fashion, defeating the DC Breeze 21-16 behind a high-powered offensive performance and timely defensive stops.
Boston picked up where they left off last year - with debilitating defensive pressure that led to an Oscar Graff block. The newly acquired Rowan McDonnell found Turner Allen for the first score of the season. DC responded with a score from AJ Merriman, but it was all Glory from there.
Boston rattled off five of the next six goals to seize early control and carried a 6-2 lead into the next quarter.
The momentum continued into the second, by a dazzling stretch from reigning MVP Tobe Decraene. On back-to-back points, Decraene launched a pinpoint hammer to Jeff Babbitt before soaring over the defense for a highlight-reel grab of his own.
“He was the MVP last year–he’s incredibly versatile,” said head coach Sam Rosenthal. “He’s a very difficult cover. He can hurt you in the handler space, he can go deep, and he can pass it deep. It’s hard to find a defender that can do more than take away his best options.”
Decraene finished with 13 total points, showcasing his ability to impact the game as both a thrower and receiver. At halftime, Boston held a commanding 11-5 lead, with Decraene already tallying five assists. Jeff Babbitt, Ryan Dinger, and Simon Carpella were frequent targets on the receiving end.
DC made a push coming out of the break, cutting the deficit to three late in the third quarter. Boston’s defense rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Rookie Lander Decraene made an immediate impact in his UFA debut, anchoring the defensive effort with five blocks.
“It’s the first game, it’s great to be here. It’s super fun to see all the fans and to be on the big stage,” said Lander Dacreane.
Despite offseason questions surrounding the defense following the loss of Tannor Johnson-Go, Boston answered emphatically.
“Everybody always talks about our depth, and it showed today,” Rosenthal said. “The D-line contributed; they got blocks. It was a good day for the D-line.
Glory ultimately held off DC’s second-half surge to secure their first win of the season, setting the tone for another championship run.
“I think it’s just step one, we’re trying to repeat,” said Lander Decraene. “I’m trying to get my first one, so we are just grinding, and we’ll take it step by step.”
Boston (1-0) stays at home to face Montreal Royal on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m.
