The second edition of the National Squash League (NSL) finals saw the Philadelphia Freedom earn the inaugural NSL Women’s title and Philadelphia Freedom celebrate their first season with the franchise’s first NSL title, June 27-29, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
The NSL Finals were an exciting culmination of the league’s second season, and featured an expanded finals format take course over the weekend with four men’s and women’s team competing in semifinal rounds to reach Sunday’s finals. Watch all match replays on the NSL Youtube channel.
The inaugural NSL women’s division fielded two thrilling semifinals. The Amanda Sobhy-led DC Inferno recorded a commanding 4-0 win over Sabrina-Sobhy led Lake Erie Beacons to reach the finals, while the Tinne Gilis-led Philadelphia Freedom harnessed home court advantage to defeat the Marina Stefanoni-led SoNo Sharks 3-1. A thrilling women’s final saw the Inferno claw back from losing the first two periods to win the third and force a first-to-three point shootout. The Freedom clinched the title by winning three straight shootout points with all three players–including Gilis, Melissa Alves and Catalina Pelaez–contributing a shootout point.
The men’s finals weekend featured an electric ElShorbagy-brother clash in the semifinals between the Marwan-led Lightning and Mohamed-led Newport Dragons. The Lightning outlasted the Dragons 3-1 to seal their spot in the finals. The Victor Crouin-led Lake Erie Beacons earned their spot in the finals with a dominant 4-0 win over the Miguel Rodriguez-led Atlanta Tornadoes. The Lightning stormed to the men’s NSL title with a shut-out 4-0 final performance to earn Marwan ElShorbagy, Nathan Lake and Mohamed Abouelghar championship rings.
For more coverage visit nslsport.com.
