Minneapolis outlasts Washington, advances to play-in bracket finals

Chaser Emma Persons handles the quadball in the play-in bracket for the Minneapolis Monarchs.

In a matchup of North Division and East Division third seeds, the Minneapolis Monarchs outlasted the Washington Admirals by a score of 150-115 and advanced to the play-in bracket finals. The Monarchs survived a spirited comeback effort from Washington, which included a second straight flag runner catch from seeker Zan Siddiqui. 

Minneapolis started the game on a 90-30 run, coming out with more energy after Washington played a marathon match against the Charlotte Aviators in the previous timeslot. Keeper Max Meier collected an early hat trick and the Monarchs chasers generally feasted on the top hoop with mid-range shots as the Admirals sat in a 2-2 zone. The contest began to tighten however when Washington switched to a 1-3 hoops defense, taking away the shots from the Monarchs’ arsenal. The Admirals gambled with flag runner on pitch, keeping their beaters on the quadball and leaving Monarchs seeker Zeke Majeske alone with the flag runner. The bet paid off, with Washington seeker Siddiqui finding a way to secure the pull for the second consecutive game.

While Minneapolis continued to struggle against the 1-3 hoops defense, throwing long-range shots into traffic and getting nowhere close to the hoops on offense, Washington was also at pains to score. Especially after star chaser Bryan Mulcahy received a red card for a hit on a defenseless receiver, the Admirals had no answers for the Minneapolis defense. For the second Monarchs game in a row, Meier scored the last two goals of the match to secure the victory.

The Monarchs advance to play the Kansas City Stampede in the play-in bracket finals at 2:30 pm. The Admirals were eliminated with the loss.