Picture Credit: Daniel Cohen
Article: Quincey McKeen
Salt Lake Shred versus Boston Glory in Championship Weekend semifinal
Madison, Wisconsin — August 22, 2025 - The Salt Lake Shred travelled to Madison, Wisconsin to play in their second Championship Weekend appearance. They faced the formidable Boston Glory, the 2025 East Division Champions. The game stayed tight until the end of the third quarter when Boston was able to land some punishing blows and get ahead. The Shred fought back in the fourth, but were unable to close the gap. Boston advanced, defeating the Shred 21-17.
Shred take first quarter
Boston started with a bang, with two breaks in the opening minutes of the game, both from unforced Shred errors. But the Shred kept their head down and earned their breaks back with defensive plays from Forsberg and Weinberg. Both sides played it cool for the remainder of the quarter, with successful hucks leading to scores. The Shred took the first quarter 5-4.
A tale of break chances
Boston started on offense for the second quarter with a quick score by Tobe Decraene, a standout player for the Glory. The teams traded scores until a De Morgan backhand huck went out of bounds and Boston broke to make it 6-7. Boston earned another break with a successful double team on the next point. Selfridge kept the Shred in the mix with a laser blade throw to Chad Yorgason, drying his hands on his shorts before making the throw - a reminder of the humid conditions.
In the next point, Boston turned it over on a huck and Shred’s Ashton threw the ultimate trust throw to Browning, guarded by Boston’s infamous Jeff Babbitt. Browning made an incredible play, bodying out until the last second and then laying out for a huge score and a Shred break, tying the game at 8s. Both teams held for the remainder of the quarter, despite a break chance for the Shred on a heads up D from Branson. The Shred ultimately went 5 and 9 on break chances, while the Glory went 7 for 7.
Third quarter tragedy
The third quarter started with a Shred hold and then another break chance after a ridiculous lay out D from Sam Pew on a Boston huck. But the Shred threw it away on a questionable huck and Boston was able to work it down and score. Boston continued to capitalize on their break chances, going 11-13. The Shred had a chance to narrow the gap with another great poach look from Forsberg, but turned it on an upline pass allowing Boston to score with 9 seconds left in the quarter. In a tragic turn of events, a Shred pass was picked off before they could attempt an end-of-quarter huck and Boston scored again, ending the third quarter 14-17.
Boston bring it home
The Shred came out fighting in the fourth quarter. They’ve fought back from behind before, including a huge comeback in the West Division Championships, and they showed their mettle in the opening points of the fourth. In the first point of the quarter, Boston overthrew Babbitt in the endzone. Salt Lake worked it down to their endzone, but Boston got it back with a huge layout D from Babbitt. The Shred turned on the defense and kept the disc in their endzone, where Selfridge got a handblock and the Shred scored. In the next point, another Selfridge D lead to another Shred break, bringing the game within one, 16-17. The teams traded a couple of holds until Shred miscues led to two Boston breaks in the final minutes of the game. Boston worked the disc with extreme patience, burning up time and maintaining possession. The Glory won the game to advance to the final, 17-21.
And thus ended an incredible season for the Shred. They went 12-2, losing just their first game against the Atlanta Hustle, and their last, against the Boston Glory. For the Glory, this was their first Championship weekend appearance and their first title win, something the West Division continues to chase. There hasn’t been a West Division champion for eight years, but the Shred will continue to battle and prepare for that win.
