Seattle Cascades Open 2026 UFA Season with 27-14 Win Over Colorado Apex

Seattle Cascades
Written By Becca Weinberg

By Becca Weinberg

Seattle, WA - In a strong opening to their 2026 Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) campaign, the Seattle Cascades dominated the Colorado Apex 27-14 at Interbay Stadium in Seattle. With a roster that is missing some of the team’s key players from last season but has many impressive new additions, the Cascades proved early that their on-field connections have already been formed. Impact players in this game include hybrid player Zeppelin Raunig with five goals and 295 receiving yards, handler Ian Sweeney with three assists, two goals, and three blocks, and handler Marc Munoz with three assists, two goals, and one block. 

Seattle Cascades’ Garret Martin reaches for the disc during the team’s 27-14 victory over the Colorado Apex on May 2nd, 2026 at Interbay Stadium (Photo by Melissa Levin, provided by the Seattle Cascades).

First quarter: 7-4

A few back-and-forth points began the game, with the Cascades taking a slim early lead. Seattle showcased their patient redzone offense and dominant handler movement against Colorado, one of their strengths from last season, as the quarter went on. Goals from handler Spencer Lofink, cutter Caleb Campbell, handler Ben Kass-Mullet, Munoz, and Raunig got the Cascades on the board. Assists from hybrid player Garrett Martin, handler Conor Belfield, handler Keaton Orser, handler Tommy Li, handler Ian Sweeney, and Munoz set up the Seattle goals, and defensive stops from Belfield, Campbell, and handler Ricky McLeod powered the team to an early lead. 

Second quarter: 14-8

Both teams doubled their point totals in the second quarter, with the Cascades scoring seven compared to the Apex’s four. The deep threats of Seattle’s cutters were a constant problem for Colorado, and their defense continued generating turnovers. Goals from cutter Nick Mahan, cutter Brendan Bogel, McLeod, and two each from Raunig and Martin were scored through assists from handler Tommy Lin, handler Derek Mourad, Lofink, McLeod, and Li. Important blocks from Sweeney, Bogel, and cutter Asher Lantz continued to get the Seattle offense moving as they entered halftime with a solid lead. 

Third quarter: 21-10

The Cascades continued building their lead over the Apex, which increased to 11 by the end of the third quarter. They scored three goals in a row to begin the second half, starting with a floating assist from cutter Gavin Leahy to a sliding Belfield in the endzone. Another dominant block by McLeod over his defender set up his assist to Sweeney, and Kass-Mullet capitalized on a Colorado turnover the following point to find wide-open Orser for a goal. Colorado responded by quickly getting one back, and Seattle followed with two more goals from Belfield and Mahan through assists from Munoz and Sweeney. 

The Apex scored their second and last goal of the quarter after a Cascades turnover the following point, but Seattle snuck in a few more before the buzzer. Assists from Lofink and McLeod connected with Li and Orser to set up an exciting fourth quarter. 

Seattle Cascades’ Brendan Bogel reaches for the disc during the team’s 27-14 victory over the Colorado Apex on May 2nd, 2026 at Interbay Stadium (Photo by Melissa Levin, provided by the Seattle Cascades).

Fourth quarter: 27-14

The battle continued with the Cascades’ third and fourth goal in a row, thanks to a Munoz to Sweeney connection and Kass-Mullet finding Campbell in the endzone. Both teams traded points in the middle of the quarter, with goals from Belfield, Raunig, Martin and Campbell through assists by Leahy, Lofink, Mourad, and Kass-Mullet. Colorado scored the last goal of the game and the final buzzer sounded with Seattle securing the win through a 13 point margin. 

Stat of the game:

In their first UFA game of the season, the Cascades recorded a 93% completion percentage, connecting on 244 of their 262 passes. Their completions were a major difference maker in today’s game because of how much they valued the disc on turnovers and fast break opportunities, with very few forced throws.

What’s next:

The Oakland Spiders come to town this weekend on May 9th at 3 PM. This will be Seattle’s first real test of the season as they host the West Division's top team and one of the top projected finishers in the entire league. The Spiders have won both of their games so far by margins of 10+ points, and will be looking to continue that streak in Seattle.

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Becca Weinberg
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