MAY 15, 2023
By Aidan Delehanty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a narrow defeat, the DC Breeze (2-1) lost their first game of the season to reigning league champions, the New York Empire (3-0), in overtime on Saturday evening. The final score was 18-17 with New York scoring in the last 30 seconds of overtime. For most of the game, DC trailed the Empire but late in the fourth, the Breeze were able to jump ahead 16-15 before New York forced the extra period.

One of the heroes for the Breeze that led them into overtime was newcomer Benjamin Oort, who scored four goals for the team, three of them coming in a four-point span during the last quarter. Oort also had two assists during the game. Though Oort is new to the Breeze, he does have some experience in the AUDL, as he played one season for the Toronto Rush in 2018 and remains one of the top young stars in the sport.

Oort showed out along with Breeze veteran, Christian Boxley. He was crucial in that fourth quarter to tie up with the Empire, totaling a team-high four assists. Overall, Boxley added two goals throughout the game.

Another positive in this game: the Breeze were able to improve their break percentage against the Empire. In the past three matchups combined, the Breeze had a break percentage of only 16%; however, in this game, they were able to improve it to 21% (4/19).

This marks a fourth narrow-margin loss in a row to New York; however, DC will have a redemption attempt later in the season on June 30 when they visit Joseph F. Fosina Field in New Rochelle.

Next up, the Breeze travel to Toronto to take on a young Rush (1-2) team on Saturday, May 20th, at 6:00 p.m. EDT.