Author: Ryan Baker

This Friday, the Indianapolis AlleyCats and Chicago Union will battle for their first win of the 2026 season in their inaugural matchup of 2026.

It’s been a tough go for the AlleyCats, who’ve had to work through chemistry issues, injuries, and roster shifts. However, they’ve had a week off to game-plan and prepare for this upcoming game, and Head Coach Nathan Bussberg believes the team’s mindset is in a good place.

“We needed the reset a bit while being able to watch our teammates Elliot [Hawkins] at college nationals and Sofiène Bontemps and Max Squires in the Elite Invite in Europe,” Bussberg said. 

After those challenges, the AlleyCats faced a tough start: their first game of 2026 ended in a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Madison Radicals, while their second loss was a much more lopsided affair against the Minnesota Wind Chill. Despite the setbacks, there were still positive moments in those games, which became a focus for the team during their bye week.

“The focus is still on us almost entirely,” Bussberg stated. “Losing is a result of a lot of little actions. Some of our moments against Minnesota and Madison were positive. We are in the mindset of stacking more of those positive moments together in one game. The result is something we can’t control. We can control how we handle the moments in a game.”

Tying those positive moments together should be easier, as the AlleyCats will have a lineup similar to the one from their last game. Key changes include the absence of Jeremiah Branson and the return of Elliot Hawkins, who will make his season debut.

“Suiting up for the first time is going to be sweet,” Hawkins exclaimed. “I’m excited to play with my new teammates and hopefully bring home a win. I’m super stoked about all of my teammates, so just being there is sweet.”

Hawkins returns to Indy after a productive stint with Colorado, where he posted 10 assists, 10 goals, and 3 blocks in four games last year. He’ll share the field with his brother Carter, adding excitement to his season debut.

“He is a dynamic athlete,” Bussberg said. “He is also coming off a grueling college nationals, so we have to temper those expectations. We won’t win or lose because of a single player - so how can we as a team play a little more harmoniously and together?”

He’s right. This Indy team needs to play together. Their strengths include William Wettengel’s ability to break through offensively, as well as Xavier Payne and Cameron Brock’s composure and experience. The team is also bolstered by athletes like Nate Little and James Pollard, who add athleticism, as well as playmakers such as Seth Gudeman, Carter Hawkins, Jake Felton, and Jonathan Mast. These strengths provide a strong foundation if the team can capitalize on them together.

“We’re a new team that is still learning how to be the best versions of ourselves while allowing others to shine,” Bussberg said. “What can happen when that mindset creeps in is a bit of passivity. We need to aggressively pursue the best version of ourselves while competing our ass off for each other.”

However, that attempted cohesion hasn't fully translated to the field yet. Through the first two games, they've registered 45 turnovers while generating only 19 blocks, exposing the need to give each other more consistent opportunities to realize their potential across all four quarters.

“Throughout the first two games, I saw a lot of potential,” Elliot Hawkins said. “I don’t think we have fully learned how to play with each other, so I’m excited to see that come together. We thought this might happen, but eventually it will work. I also thought the team looked hungry, which is always great.”

Indy will have to deal with a near-complete Union squad, a team that has suffered two losses to Minnesota. The Union’s strengths lie in players like Pawel Janas, John Marsh, and Jeff Weis, all of whom have veteran experience and skill. Chicago’s mix of accomplished veterans and talented young players makes them a tough matchup, even though they lack many in-betweeners.

“Chicago is a legit team,” Bussberg said. “They were incredible last year. Even if they didn’t return some of their players from last year, the lessons the team learned from being around high-level talent are priceless. We have to come out with a tenacious defensive mindset. We have to play as a unit, not as individuals.”

All of this sets up what should be a battle between two incredibly hungry squads. Notably, this is the first of three games between the AlleyCats and the Union; the race for the last playoff spot in the Central Division could very well come down to these head-to-head matchups. While the season is still young and much can change, getting an early win against a divisional rival could prove crucial.

“It provides a lot of motivation,” Elliot Hawkins said. “We have aspirations to be in and win in the playoffs, so it starts with the first one we can get our hands on. Definitely a lot of motivation going into this game.”

To watch this game at 7 p.m. EST this Friday, click here!

To get tickets for the AlleyCats’ third home game of the year, go here!