Seattle Cascades End 2026 Playoff Campaign With 22-20 Loss to Salt Lake Shred
By Becca Weinberg
The Seattle Cascades made an early exit from the 2026 Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) Playoffs with a 22-20 loss to the Salt Lake Shred. Both teams had faced off twice in the regular season, with the Cascades winning both matchups by just one goal. This weekend’s game brought another tight result, with the Shred able to pull away and send the Cascades packing. Impact players in this game include hybrid player Garrett Martin with four assists and three goals, handler Marc Munoz with four assists, and handler Spencer Lofink with four goals.
Seattle Cascades’ Garrett Martin looks downfield for a pass during the team’s 22-20 loss against the Salt Lake Shred on July 25th, 2026 in Seattle, Washington (Photo by Aileen Ly, provided by the Seattle Cascades).
First quarter: 5-6
The playoff atmosphere was present from the first points of the game, with many long points and impressive plays. Goals this quarter were scored by handler Spencer Lofink, handler Ian Sweeney, handler Tommy Li, and cutter Gavin Leahy through assists by hybrid player Garrett Martin, cutter Jack Brown, handler Marc Munoz, and Gavin Leahy. The Cascades continued to show their patient offense as they worked towards the endzone with very few turnovers.
Second quarter: 11-11
Both teams continued trading points in the second quarter to leave the game tied entering halftime. Salt Lake scored first, but Seattle put together two goals in a row with a Munoz to Lofink connection and a deep look from handler Grant Harris to Brown after Brown secured a well-timed block. The Shred scored two more in a row, and the Cascades got one back with a very efficient, five-pass point that ended in Leahy finding the end of a deep throw from Munoz. After one more quick Salt Lake goal, the Cascades responded with three in a row. Handler Derek Mourad, handler Emmet Shipway, and Brown scored the team’s remaining goals with assists by hybrid player Zeppelin Raunig, cutter Caleb Campbell, and Harris.
Third quarter: 15-17
The Shred outscored the Cascades in the third quarter 6-4, and were able to build a two-goal lead after halftime. Two goals by cutter Nolan Stoppel and one each from handler Mikey O’Brien and Martin were assisted by handler Ben Kass-Mullet, Leahy, Li, and Martin. Although down two, the Cascades appeared as though they would continue to fight back as they entered the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter: 20-22
Although both teams scored five goals in the fourth quarter, the Cascades were unable to dig themselves out of their goal deficit, and Salt Lake headed home with the win. The final goals of the game were scored by cutter Langley Fitzpatrick, Martin, Lofink, and Sweeney with assists by Leahy, Martin, Munoz, Lofink, and Harris. Seattle fought until the very end, but will not be advancing to the next round of this year’s playoffs.
What’s next:
Thank you for following our second full season of covering Seattle Ultimate! A special thank you to Xtehn Frame and Jammie Phea for their help and support with team coverage and for all of the work they do to grow the game of ultimate frisbee in Seattle. A big congrats to both the Cascades and Tempest for making it to the playoffs this year, and see you next season!
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Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports BlueSky: @circlingseasports.bsky.social 〰️
Check out our previous Seattle Cascades articles here.
Check out our previous articles with writing for CSS by Becca Weinberg here, and her work with Lookout Landing here.
Cover photo and photos in this article by Aileen Ly, as provided by the Seattle Cascades.
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