Seattle Cascades Defeat Oregon Steel 18-12 in Northwest Rivalry Showdown
By Becca Weinberg
The Seattle Cascades secured an important win in their away matchup this weekend against the Oregon Steel with a final score of 18-12. Both teams battled heavy rain and winds throughout the game, but the Cascades were able to stay collected and continue to utilize their patient offense and lockdown defense. Impact players in this game include handler Ian Sweeney with two assists, one block, and 127 throwing yards, hybrid player Zeppelin Raunig with three goals, one assist, and 134 receiving yards, and handler Austin Hasbrook with three blocks.
Seattle Cascades’ Jack Brown receives the disc during the team’s 18-12 victory over the Oregon Steel on May 16th, 2026 in Portland, Oregon (Photo by John King, provided by the Seattle Cascades).
First quarter: 4-1
The intensity of the rivalry was on full display in the first quarter, with a series of long, tense points in the pouring rain. Oregon struck first after multiple impressive defensive plays to secure the first goal, but the Cascades answered back with four in a row of their own. Handler Ben Kass-Mullet connected with wide open hybrid player Zeppelin Raunig first, followed by handler Tommy Li finding Raunig back in the endzone. Seattle’s third goal of the quarter was off a defensive deflection that cutter Asher Lantz found the end of after a deep throw by handler Ian Sweeney. After one more long point with multiple turnovers from both teams, cutter Nick Mahan floated a throw to cutter Gavin Leahy to secure the Cascades’ three-point lead.
Second quarter: 8-4
Oregon battled back at the beginning of the second quarter, but the Cascades continued building their lead, which extended to four before halftime. Two goals from handler Garrett Martin and one each from handler Spencer Lofink and cutter Grant Harris came through assists from Sweeney, Lofink, Leahy, and handler Derek Mourad. Important blocks from Sweeney, Harris, and handler Ethan Murray retained possession for the Cascades and built up momentum heading into the second half.
Third quarter: 12-7
Another series of long, back-and-forth points took over the third quarter, with patient offense continuing to carry the Cascades and defensive stops from the Steel keeping them in the game. Goals from Lofink, Raunig, handler Ricky McLeod, and handler Conor Belfield came through two assists by handler Tommy Lin and one each from Li and Martin. Another series of blocks by handler Austin Hasbrook, Lantz, and Sweeney helped the Cascades force turnovers and enter the fourth quarter with a five-point lead.
Fourth quarter: 18-12
Both teams continued trading points and the Cascades emerged victorious. Two fourth quarter goals from cutter Nolan Stoppel and one each from Leahy, Raunig, Murray, and cutter Caleb Campbell were scored through assists by Belfield, Raunig, Martin, Sweeney, Li, and cutter Erik Aadalen. Additional blocks by Hasbrook, Campbell, and cutter Jack Brown helped secure the win for Seattle in an exciting matchup against the Steel.
Stat of the game:
In their third game of the season, the Seattle Cascades recorded an 88% huck rate, meaning they converted seven of their eight deep throwing attempts. The Cascades utilized many of their conversions straight out of turnovers to create an effective transition offense and score efficiently against the Steel.
What’s next:
The Cascades will play a double-header weekend and continue their road trip this Saturday against the Houston Havoc on May 30th at 5 PM. Houston currently sits towards the bottom of the South Division with a 1-3 UFA record. Seattle will play the following Sunday, May 31st, against the Austin Sol at 10 AM. Austin is currently atop the South Division with a 4-0 record.
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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 John King, as provided by the Seattle Cascades.
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