Kansas City books first quarterfinals spot since 2018

Kansas City Stampede chaser Riley Usami dunks on the Washington Admirals earlier Saturday morning in the play-in bracket.

The Kansas City Stampede advanced to the Benepe Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2018 on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Minneapolis Monarchs 135-80 in the play-in bracket finals. 

To progress in the MLQ Championship at the very stage that they were eliminated last season, the Stampede relied heavily upon their athleticism in the open field and their organization and physicality on defense. They traded lightning-quick possessions with the Monarchs to start the game before Minneapolis settled into a slower, more methodical pace. Kansas City retained the advantage though, with an early hat trick from chaser Lauren Smith helping the Stampede take 40-10 and 80-50 leads. 

After intermission, Kansas City was getting all the time around the flag runner and scoring easily against no dodgeballs, while the Monarchs toiled to get past Stampede keeper Ryan Mehio at the point of attack. A valiant effort from Minneapolis, including two goals from chaser Ben Zimet behind the goals, narrowed the lead but Stampede seeker J.D. Hopton caught his second flag runner of the day to nip the rally in the bud and end the game at 135-80.

Kansas City advances to face the San Antonio Soldados in the quarterfinals at 4:30 pm. The Monarchs were eliminated from the Benepe Cup with the loss.