Seven On The Line: Week 9 recap

June 24, 2025
By Evan Lepler

Tuesday Toss: Week 9 | Part 1

1. The Mechanix prevail in Pittsburgh

On June 22, 2024, the Detroit Mechanix snapped their excruciating 81-game losing streak, tasting victory for the first time in 2,611 days. 

It only took 365 for it to happen again. 

On Sunday evening in the Steel City, exactly one year after Detroit’s cathartic 25-14 home win over the Thunderbirds, the Mechanix prevailed in Pittsburgh 21-20, earning the franchise’s first road triumph in over nine years.

“Traveling back [after] succeeding on the road is a completely different feeling,” said Mechanix Coach/Owner Brent Steepe. “It’s kind of like going into someone’s house and making yourself comfortable, opening the fridge without asking, and then not having to clean up the mess. It is an amazing feeling [...] To celebrate, the gents had a toast and gathered for a meal. It was another great day to remember.” 

Slow starts have plagued Pittsburgh all season, and Sunday was no different. The Thunderbirds trailed 3-0 after three and a half minutes and were down 16-10 late in the third. But unlike last season, when the Mechanix closed on a 10-2 run to snap their historic skid, Pittsburgh played its best in the fourth this past weekend, rallying to tie the score at 19-all with 3:18 left. 

But Detroit’s offense, which converted better than 50 percent of its possessions for the first time all season, calmly held on their final two O-points of the day. With 42 seconds left, Jake Felton tossed his sixth assist, connecting with David Cox for the go-ahead goal. 

Pittsburgh still had time to pursue the equalizer, but Lucas Storm could not haul in Evan Bembenista’s huck, which ticked off his hands just after Detroit’s Gabe Dobrozsi launched himself for the shoulder-high layout bid. Though it did not appear that the Mechanix defender actually deflected the disc—he was not credited with a block in the stats—his acrobatic presence was certainly felt by the Thunderbirds’ receiver. 

Following a timeout, the Mechanix offense needed just six short completions to run the remaining time off the clock, with the disc appropriately finding Detroit veteran Joe Cubitt as time expired.

Entering Sunday’s affair, the 27-year-old Cubitt had gone 0-52 in UFA games—not including his victory in the 2019 All-Star Game. Remember, he sat out last season, missing the Mechanix’s first win since 2017. But as the final seconds ticked away in Pittsburgh, Cubitt was swarmed by his overjoyed teammates, who clearly recognized the magnitude of the moment for the diminutive handler who’s often been viewed as the face of the franchise since he entered the league six years ago. 

After the game, Cubitt remarked that he felt relieved, though also said that all the losing had weirdly numbed the joy of winning. 

“I am now 1-52 with the Mechanix, not a great career record,” said Cubitt. “That being said, we as a team grew stronger together with this game as well as built more trust within each other, which in team sports is imperative. Getting the win with Brent was also another great feeling. He and I have been in the trenches for a while.”

Of course, nobody was more thrilled for Cubitt’s first victory than his long-time coach. 

“Seeing Joe finally get his win after [52] losses with the Mechanix was overwhelming,” said Steepe. “He has been family to me for so many years, and last year, Cube was missed on our day of victory. I am sure there is footage or a picture somewhere of us embracing and sharing a teared-up smile. It has been a long and amazing road to be allowed to develop in each other’s lives.” 

For a few other veterans who returned to the team in 2025—notably Justin Perticone, Malachi Neil, and Trevor Polisuk-Balfour—Sunday was their first victory too. 

“It was a really fun game to be a part of and a really cool moment seeing the various reactions as everyone began to celebrate,” said Perticone, who played 15 games for the Mechanix from 2017 to 2019 before returning to the team this year. “Going into the game, I felt like it was going to be one we wouldn’t forget, and it really felt like the whole team felt that way. Our defense played a fantastic game earning opportunities, making the Pitt O-lines work hard, and converting breaks. They started the game super hot, stayed consistent throughout and finished the game hot with tight D and an unforgettable play from Gabe Dobroszi, forcing Pitt’s final turnover.”

For the Thunderbirds, it was their seventh consecutive loss since starting the season 2-0. Meanwhile, the Mechanix had dropped 11 straight in between their two triumphs, but that certainly pales in comparison to the 81-game drought that Detroit endured for over seven years prior to last year’s breakout performance. 

Now at 1-5, the Mechanix have five of their final six games against the top three in the Central, starting with this weekend at Madison, but June 22nd will remain as a signature date for the franchise, regardless what happens next.

“On to the next game, the winning formula is simple,” said Steepe. “As a player, be humble, hungry, and smart. As a teammate, trust your coach, trust your brothers, trust in our system, and be the teammate you wish to have on the field.”

2. Central Division titans Chicago and Minnesota dominate

Outscoring their two overmatched opponents 56-24, the Chicago Union improved to 6-0 in Week 9. The Union clobbered Pittsburgh on Friday, 28-14, before dusting Detroit 28-10 on Saturday, one day before the Mechanix’s more memorable part of the weekend. 

“We had 29 guys play across the two games,” said Chicago Coach Charlie Furse, “including four who made their UFA debut. It’s always nice to spread reps up and down the roster [...] Despite the score margins, we had too many drops and throwaways this weekend. This comes down to focus and execution.” 

Chicago will be a monumental favorite again this coming weekend in both of its games, vs. Indianapolis on Friday and at Detroit on Saturday.

“Overall, our goal remains to secure a playoff spot and field a team capable of competing for postseason wins,” said Furse. “At 6-0, we’re on track to earn a spot and have shown flashes of being a contending team. No one on the team is currently satisfied with our play, individually or collectively. We’re fortunate to have six more games this season to become more consistent in our effort and execution.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota clearly remains the Union’s most capable fellow contender in the Central. On Saturday night in St. Paul, the Wind Chill set a franchise record with over 1,500 fans at Sea Foam Stadium, and the Twin Cities fans had plenty to cheer about. The Chill stormed out to a 6-0 lead, scored 13 of the game’s first 14 goals, and led 17-2 at halftime against the scuffling AlleyCats. 

Final score: Minnesota 31, Indianapolis 14.

“It was definitely a great atmosphere for our game,” said James Pollard, one of the three Wind Chill defenders to register three blocks in the blowout win. “A lot of work was put in to make Youth Night a great evening for us and the community.”

The Wind Chill D-line produced 20 breaks in Saturday’s game, the most for the franchise since the 2015 season finale, when Minnesota recorded an incomprehensible 34 breaks in a 45-11 win over Detroit, a result that still stands as the most lopsided score in professional ultimate history. 

“I’m most pleased with our D-line offense,” said Pollard. “Even though we had some turnovers, this was the best we have moved the disc on defense.” 

Unlike Chicago, Minnesota can rest this coming weekend, focusing its attention on the team’s marquee clash on the Fourth of July.

“Going into the game at Chicago, they are a great team, so it’s going to be a battle the entire game,” said Pollard. “We may not get a ton of chances to break, so we will need to capitalize when we do get the chance. This bye week is coming at the perfect time. It’s giving us a chance to rest, recover, and lock in so we can take back the top seed in the Central.”

3. Los Angeles sneaks away with a win in Oregon

The Steel scored the final three goals of regulation to force overtime, but the Aviators still narrowly escaped with a 20-19 victory on Friday night, breaking to retake the lead with seven seconds remaining in OT. Los Angeles rookie Max Combs, who tallied a season-best four blocks and three assists on the night, registered clutch bookends on the game-winning point, throwing the go-ahead goal to Andrew Padula to give the Aviators their second win of the season.

On the ensuing last-second prayer, Ben Thoennes’ full-field huck landed incomplete, leaving the Steel one goal short of creating a second OT. 

“We were definitely disappointed with the outcome of the game,” said Thoennes. “It was one we really wanted to win, and we did set ourselves up well to do so early in the game [...] I think the biggest place we fell short in overtime was a lack of legs on our O-line. When we get tired, we often start making execution errors, and it can be difficult, especially in the high-pressure overtime.”

Jonathan Lyle paced the Aviators attack with six assists, one goal, and a game-high 513 yards, while Beckett Sessums shined for the Steel, accruing four goals and two assists while mostly playing D-line. 

4. Seattle shuts down Aviators' attempt at road trip sweep

One day later, the poor fourth quarter finish against Oregon proved costly against Seattle. The Aviators were even with the Cascades at 12-all with 15 minutes left in the game, but Los Angeles surrendered a 5-0 run spanning the last two quarters, ultimately falling 20-15. 

“Frisbee is a game of runs, and we just weren’t able to get one going until the third,” said Seattle Captain Garrett Martin. “It felt like we were doing a good job of generating pressure and turnovers, but not able to consistently punch them in until the second half of the game.” 

At 3-6, the Cascades are still clinging to faint playoff hopes, but any scenario must include winning against the Summit this Friday. 

“Jumping Colorado is our only hope to make the playoffs,” said Martin. “We believe that we have a chance, and we’re trying to prepare one game at a time. Even if we do our part, we’re going to need some help from my old friends in Utah. Obviously, we’ve put ourselves in a tough spot, but if we find a way out of it, I think we will be a dangerous team to play in the playoffs. If we don’t, we don’t. That’s sports sometimes. But I know we all believe in each other, and we feel like our best frisbee is ahead.”

5. Colorado and Oakland vanquish Vegas

Speaking of the Summit, they pummeled the expansion Bighorns 26-10 on Friday night, winning all four quarters by at least three goals. One day later, Vegas was even less competitive against Oakland, losing 32-10 in a season that has quickly gone from bad to ugly. 

New Bighorns Coach Dan Silverstein, who replaced Matt Bode after the team’s third game, took the setbacks in stride.

“To paraphrase Rocky,” Silverstein said, “‘Life is gonna hit harder than Oakland or Colorado every hit you. It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how many hits you can take and keep going.’ It’s a real struggle, but giving up gets you nothing in life. We look at this collective suffering as an opportunity for personal development. We continue to take pride in doing things which are hard and not giving up.”

Meanwhile, the Summit and Spiders look like they’re on a collision course for a potential postseason clash. Noah Coolman and Elliot Hawkins both had big nights for Colorado against Vegas, while Aaron Rosenthal had six goals, including a layout Callahan, to lead the way for the Spiders. 

“Really good to see Noah on D just killing it,” said Colorado’s Quinn Finer. “When he’s on, he’s one of the best block-getters in the league. We saw him be incredibly effective on Leo Gordon the first point we moved him to D during that game, so I don’t think there’s anyone in the league he can’t have an effect on defensively.” 

Both the Summit and Spiders have tough two-game road trips this weekend, with Colorado visiting Seattle and Oregon, while Oakland travels to Salt Lake and San Diego for a pair of gigantic tests. 

“Moving forward, we’re just hungry for big wins,” said Rosenthal. “Feels like the team is starting to enter its final form—stay tuned!”

6. Carolina and Atlanta hammer the Havoc

One week after staying tight with undefeated Austin, the Houston Havoc could not keep it close with either Carolina or Atlanta. The Flyers doubled up Houston 28-14 on Friday, while the Hustle rolled to a 28-17 victory on Saturday. 

“I thought we played decently for two and a half quarters against Atlanta, but we dug ourselves way too massive of a hole in the first quarter alone,” said Havoc handler Jimmy Zuraw. “The Carolina game, on the other hand, felt like a comedy of errors throughout. There was a very dramatic difference between the clean spacing and timing of the Flyers and ours.”

Friday also served as the Flyers’ fourth straight victory, and the team is now back to the .500 mark after the rough 0-4 start. 

“It’s great to string a few wins together and rebuild our confidence after the shaky start to the year, but our mindset won’t be changing anytime soon,” said Carolina’s Trevor Lynch. “After starting 0-4, [Flyers Coach Michael] Avila and the rest of leadership really urged the team to stay present and to maintain our confidence in ourselves. If we were going to accomplish our team outcome goals, the first step was to believe that we could do it, understanding that it basically means winning every game for the rest of the season. Though the team as a whole has not explicitly talked about it, the team is embracing taking every game, point, and moment one at a time, while also having a playoff-level of urgency that the group has been bringing at practices and games.” 

The Hustle’s Saturday success was their first win in four weeks, snapping the three-game skid that left Atlanta reeling a little bit. But they also feel that they are exactly where they need to be for a successful stretch run. 

“The experience the team had [during the three-game losing streak] will be so integral to our success down the road,” said Atlanta veteran Christian Olsen, who returned to the Hustle lineup on Saturday after missing the previous month with an injury. “We want those high pressure games against championship level teams because you and the team get to see how you experience pressure together and deal with it all when things get tough. That experience is so important to get before the playoffs. Despite our comically tough schedule, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As for the Havoc, we needed a little come back game after the rough road we’d been on, this was a well-deserved homecoming.”

Both the Flyers and Hustle remain at home in Week 10, hosting undefeated Austin in a pair of marquee matchups. The Sol will first be headed to Atlanta for Friday Night Frisbee, before capping their weekend at Carolina in the UFA "Game of the Week".

7. The young UFA/USA all-stars showing out in Spain

Outside of the UFA, many of the league’s young stars are still shining. 

In case you missed it, as part of a partnership with the World Flying Disc Federation and Ultiworld, Monday’s open division pool play game between the United States and Great Britain at the ongoing U-24 World Championships in Spain was simulcast on WatchUFA.tv. As I watched it unfold yesterday morning, it felt like I was watching a UFA U-24 All-Star Game. 

Here’s how the first nine American scores looked, with one UFA star collaborating with another:

You get the idea. Sure, Cedar Hines isn’t currently on the Cascades 2025 roster, but just 10 months ago we were watching him compete with Seattle at Championship Weekend.

While it was a little jarring to see premier players from all around the league working together, it was also super cool to watch the young American men dominate in brilliant rhythm against the Brits. 

Earlier today, the US U-24 delegation earned its 100th consecutive victory at U-24 Worlds, dating back several cycles of this international event. The USA Men, Women, and Mixed teams are all favored to win gold medals again, with the championship games scheduled for Saturday. 

Also of note, through the end of Tuesday’s play, the most prolific scorers in the open division were a pair of Belgians who both play in the UFA. Boston’s Tobe Decraene tops the field with 24 scores, 16 assists and eight goals, while Chicago’s Sofiene Bontemps has 23 scores, with 15 goals and eight assists. Belgium, like the USA, is currently 5-0, joining the Americans as the only two undefeated squads left in the open division. 

The Hammer

Boston and Oakland became the first two teams in the league to officially clinch playoff spots this past weekend. Who might join them in Week 10?

Here are the clinching scenarios for a huge 13-game slate that’s on tap starting Friday night:

  • The Austin Sol can clinch the number one seed in the South if they win both their games, at Atlanta and at Carolina. A single victory over the Flyers would clinch a playoff spot for the Sol. 
  • The Salt Lake Shred can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Oakland OR a Seattle loss against Colorado. 
  • The Chicago Union can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Indianapolis on Friday night. 

Suffice to say, while we are still likely to see the occasional blowout, I also fully expect that we’re on the verge of a much closer, competitive, and captivating Week 10 in the UFA. 

Thanks for reading, and talk to you Friday night from Atlanta!