Chicago Union Fall to Indianapolis AlleyCats and Madison Radicals in Back-to-Back Weekend
By Elise Gan
Photography by Daniel Cohen
CHICAGO — The Chicago Union opened their first back-to-back weekend of the season with a pair of tough losses, falling to the Indianapolis AlleyCats on Saturday and the Madison Radicals on Sunday. After a difficult start to the season, Chicago has been searching for a win to right the ship, but this weekend it was not to be.
Union @ AlleyCats – Saturday, June 20th
Traveling to Indiana for a rematch against the AlleyCats, the Union came in with adjustments ready after a light late-May loss to the same opponent. It wasn’t enough. Indianapolis pulled away in the second half to hand Chicago an 18-13 defeat.
High on the energy of their home crowd, the AlleyCats got things started right off the bat, scoring the first two goals of the game within two minutes. The Union steadied themselves, with John Marsh finding Benjamin Preiss in the endzone to put Chicago on the board, previewing Preiss’ success throughout the rest of the match-up. The teams traded goals through the first quarter, leaving Indianapolis ahead 5-3.
The Union came out sharper in the second quarter. A 69-yard huck from Pawel Janas to Wilson Matthews tightened the deficit to one, and Chicago kept the pressure on with goals from Preiss, Marsh, Andrew Sjogren and Jack Shanahan, battling back to force an 8-8 tie at the half.
The second half told a different story. The AlleyCats outscored the Union 10-5 down the stretch, including six goals in the final quarter, and Chicago couldn't keep pace. Preiss was exceptional, finishing with a team-high five goals and 285 receiving yards, but his individual brilliance wasn't enough to overcome Indiana's second-half surge.
Union vs. Radicals – Sunday, June 21st
With less than 24 hours to regroup, the Union returned to Lazier Field for a Father's Day matchup against the Madison Radicals. The home crowd was there, but the weather wasn't, as steady rain set the stage for a slippery, grind-it-out contest from the opening pull.
Chicago had reason for confidence heading in to this rematch. Earlier this month, the two clubs met at the same venue, with the Union claiming their first win of the season and the 100th win in program history, 18-16. That energy was visible in the pregame warmups, players exchanging high fives and smiles before the skies opened up.
However, as soon as the game began, the team’s bubbly demeanor transitioned into pure concentration. With the rain’s strength increasing, both Chicago and Madison struggled to reach the endzones, as the wet disc slipped through several hands on both ends. By the end of the first fifteen minutes, the score was tied at only two a piece.
Play loosened up in the second quarter. Henry Goldenberg launched a 65-yard huck to Matthews to give Chicago their first lead of the night at 3-2, but Madison answered with two straight to reclaim the advantage. Preiss kept the Union competitive with a diving layout catch for a goal, and the half ended knotted at 4-4.
The third quarter belonged to the Radicals. After a slow start for Chicago, Madison reeled off three consecutive goals midway through the period and held the Union to just one response, taking a 9-7 lead into the fourth.
The final quarter only widened the gap. Madison opened with another score to push their lead to four, and the Union compounded their troubles with costly turnovers that the Radicals converted with ease. Chicago couldn't mount a comeback, falling 14-10.
The Union will have a week off to reset before hosting the Minnesota Wind Chill on July 3rd at 7:00 PM CST. You can catch the action live on WatchUFA.TV. Then, be back at home for their Red, White, and Blue game on Sunday, July 5th at 4:00 PM CST vs Indianapolis. Fans can buy tickets online or at the gate.
