Ryan Baker - Journalist
The Madison Radicals finally return home to their beloved fans at Breese Stevens Field. With a 2-0 record the Radicals will host the Minnesota Wind Chill for their 2024 home opener on Friday night.
The matchup between the two early frontrunners of the Central Division will be featured free on YouTube as it is a part of the Super Series campaign for the UFA. The Super Series allows those who do not have a Watch UFA subscription to watch some of the best matchups of the year.
“That's our way to get fans who aren't paying for UFA.tv more content. For the team we get to be in the league spotlight for a week and hope that we can show the rest of the UFA that we should be in the playoff contention discussions,” said DeByl.
It was a tough run vs the Wind Chill last year for Madison as they lost all three matchups, two being at Breese Stevens Field. However, two of three games last year were prime examples of head coach Tim DeByl’s crew's biggest downfall, a bad couple minute stretch. The first matchup in 2023, the Radicals lost by a point, and the third matchup, they lost by two. This year the Radicals offense looks way different, and that will be the key to handing Minnesota back-to-back losses.
“I think it's just our offense playing the way we've been in practice. I think if our offense can play 10% better than it did last year, we should be able to come up with a victory. But these games tend to be super close and so it’s about the in game adjustments. I think whichever team can make better adjustments will probably win the game,” said DeByl.
A new piece of the game plan will be veteran and player/coach Pat Shriwise. Shriwise only played in home games last season, and will be making his 2024 debut this upcoming Friday. He provides a stable and consistent security blanket with playmaking ability for such a young team. A young team that will feature two rookies facing the crowd of Breese Stevens for the first time ever in Gabe Vordick and Pieran Robert.
“I have never played in front of a real crowd before, especially one right down the street from where I live. I’ve watched live-streamed games and been told stories of what Breese is like on game day, but I am really excited to find out for myself. I have been waiting for this day since I made the team,” said Vordick.
Both of the rookies have made a splash throughout the first two games of the season, combining for nine goals and six blocks. This game will be testament to seeing if they can handle the pressure of a spotlighted game in a high-intensity matchup against one of the top teams in the league.
“The guys are jacked up about it. It’s just always special for us, especially the first game of the season. We have some rookies who have never played there. I like to see how they handle the challenge of being in front of a big crowd, and knowing it's a nationally streamed game,” said DeByl.
There’s confidence surrounding the team as they head into the border battle clash, especially from the young guys. With good health running all across the board, this will be an entirely different matchup than the years past. Defensive anchor Sterling Knoche and offensive weapons Kai Marcus, Jack Nelson, Brian Hart, and Victor Luo are all back to full health. Those four offensive guys named have combined for nearly 1,500 total yards through the first two games, along with Knoche adding three blocks and four goals to the mix.
“Minnesota is a team we have to beat this year if we want to contend in the division, and I 100% believe we can. We scrimmaged them before the season started, and that gave us a lot of confidence going into this year. They are a beatable team, and we are going to show that we belong up there in the conversation for the best team in the division,” said Vordick.
The Radicals want this one. They want to change the notion that they can’t hang with the best of them, that they aren’t a playoff contending team. To take this win, and be a game and a half with a head-to-head game against Minnesota in their back pocket would be a huge step in that direction to change the narrative.
“We've had a ton of quality games, but we haven't had many quality wins the last couple years. We've had lots of opportunities to prove ourselves and we've been close. I think a win would just give us that extra bit of confidence going into the rest of the season,” said DeByl.
The Wind Chill are going to come back with a vengeance after dropping their home opener, and there are weak spots that the Radicals will be looking to take advantage of. However, there is an expectation that Minnesota will be at a higher level of play than in their loss last week. The Radicals will be looking to notch the third win on their belt in front of an anticipated giant crowd, and send Radicals fans home happy.
“Our fans create a tremendous atmosphere for every game, and we never take for granted what a privilege it is to play every home game in front of them. However, after a long offseason, the home opener is always special. This year, add in a holiday weekend, college nationals, and a marquee matchup, and it should be exceptional. I am sure the beer will be flowing and the hecklers in mid-season form,” said Sterling Knoche.
To watch the primetime, Super Series, border battle matchup in the home opening at Breese Stevens Field, this Friday at 7 p.m. CDT, click here! Free on YouTube!
To purchase tickets, click here!
