2/14-16/26 - Presidents Day Invite
Another tournament brought an exciting and competitive weekend for UCSD Dragon Coalition. Entering the event seeded seventh, Dragon Coalition opened the tournament against the 15th-seeded University of Minnesota, securing a solid 11–8 victory in their first game.
The second game featured a rematch against the nationally ranked #2 University of British Columbia. Earlier at the Santa Barbara Invite, Dragon Coalition had fallen 13–5 to UBC, but the team approached this matchup with renewed determination. UCSD delivered an impressive performance against some of the division’s top athletes, putting up eight points against the reigning national champions and demonstrating significant growth and competitiveness.
The final game of the day was a tense matchup against #10 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The two teams were closely matched throughout, with SLO taking a narrow 10–8 lead. Dragon Coalition responded with a 3–0 run to seize the lead 11–10. With the game to 12 and UCSD starting on defense, senior Annika Ross used her exceptional +6 inch ape index to force a critical defensive turnover. Junior captain Dani Weatherwax then delivered a precise throw to Ananya Shaligram at the front of the endzone, clinching a 12–10 victory and securing second place in the pool. This result advanced Dragon Coalition into either pre-quarterfinals or quarterfinals, depending on the following morning’s crossover matchups.
The next challenge came against the top-seeded and 2025 runners-up, Carleton College Zyzygy. Known as a powerhouse in the ultimate community, Carleton came well-prepared, but Dragon Coalition competed with intensity and skill. UCSD ultimately fell 13–8, but the team had the distinction of putting up the most points against both UBC and Carleton of any other opponents that season, a testament to their competitive performance.
Following the crossover loss, UCSD faced Western Washington Chaos in the pre-quarterfinals. After holding a small lead at halftime, the Tritons were forced into Universe Point. Starting on defense, UCSD needed a turnover to get a chance at victory. Junior Nicole Moran delivered a game-saving defensive play, setting up a 70-yard drive downfield. Ananya Shaligram advanced the disc past midfield before connecting with Junior Mars Bau for a thrilling 13–12 win, showcasing the team’s composure under pressure.
In the quarterfinals, Dragon Coalition faced a formidable Stanford University squad for the first time this season. Stanford, a powerhouse in the Southwest region, established an early lead, and UCSD was unable to recover, ultimately falling 13–5. The team then moved on to the fifth-place semifinals against regional rival UCLA. The game remained tightly contested, leading to another Universe Point scenario. Starting on defense, UCSD forced an incompletion, allowing Junior Captain Margot Nissen to initiate a final drive. She threw a huck to fifth-year graduate student and captain Dylan Mullaney, completing the play and securing a hard-fought victory.
Due to rain forecasts, the final day’s games were relocated to turf fields. In the fifth-place game, Dragon Coalition faced University of Washington, a team that had reached the national semifinals the previous year. The match remained close throughout, with exceptional leadership and motivational huddles led by Junior Claire Prairie. Despite battling challenging conditions, UCSD kept the score tight, ultimately falling 13–11.
Overall, UCSD Dragon Coalition delivered a strong and successful weekend, consistently competing against top-tier programs. Their performance solidified their national ranking, with the team officially seeded seventh in the country—a remarkable achievement and a reflection of their skill, resilience, and teamwork.
