Union Falls in Back-and-Forth Battle Against Division Foe Indianapolis AlleyCats
By Elise Gan
INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Union took their third loss of the 2026 season Friday night to the Indianapolis AlleyCats 23-20 in a tightly matched duel on the road.
The AlleyCats were first to strike in this Central Division battle of yet to win teams, taking full advantage of their first possession and finding the endzone within the first 30 seconds of play. However, the Union immediately returned the favor on their own first possession, previewing the intense give and take that would follow for the entire game. Indianapolis and Chicago took turns exchanging leads throughout the first quarter, as both teams hungrily sought their first win of the season. By the end of the first 12 minutes, the AlleyCats held a 7-5 lead they would never relinquish.
The early theme of a fast-paced, offensive game transformed in the second quarter of play, as the game turned into a defensive duel between two talented squads. The AlleyCats’ defense disrupted the Union’s flow, pressuring every Chicago player on the turf. The teams started the second quarter exchanging singular goals, and the Union managed to tack on one more point before halftime, but ultimately fell victim to Indiana’s ruthless defensive strategy. Chicago hoped to sub out offensive struggles for defensive strength against their opponent, but was unable to lock down the AlleyCats, as Indiana plowed their way to three more goals by the end of the half to make the score 11-7.
“We are looking to play tight defense,” Union head coach Charlie Furse said at halftime. “We may change up our looks a little bit, but I’m not disappointed in our team’s effort nor their execution.”
With a sharper focus on defense and a stronger familiarity with Indiana’s new style of play and fully revamped roster, the Union came into the second half at full speed, determined to retake the momentum. Chicago’s Ben Preiss cleared to play after a preseason concussion, took control of the Union offense, scoring the team’s first two points of the third quarter with help from Jack Shanahan and Cullen Baker. Despite the defensive focus, the Chicago offense thrived, spreading the love for five different Union players to score, lowering the halftime deficit to two points with a third quarter final score of 17-15.
Both teams pushed hard in the final twelve minutes of play, but the AlleyCats took advantage of their home turf, unleashing the full potential of their robust offense led by Elliot Hawkins who had 15 assists in his first game of the season with the AlleyCats. Chicago managed to break up the fourth quarter goals scoring streak with a stupendous Wilson Matthews layout goal, but the AlleyCats took matters back into their own hands directly afterward, piling on another two points and essentially putting the game away. The Union did manage to hit an offensive stride later in the quarter, tightening in on the AlleyCats’ lead once again, but time expired before Chicago could complete its comeback, giving Indiana its first win of the season and Chicago its third loss.
The Union will return to their home turf of Lazier Field next Friday, June 5th, to take on the Madison Radicals. You can catch the action live at 7:00 PM CT by purchasing tickets online or at the gate.
