Article by Nate Church 

Photo by Roxanne Duennebeil

The Salt Lake Shred lost to the Oakland Spiders on Saturday night 20-19 despite a late fourth quarter comeback.

Things started off rough for the Shred who struggled with turning the disc over. Halfway through the quarter, down 4-0, Salt Lake had given the disc away five times to the Spiders, who capitalized with a score on four of the five. Oakland rolled to a commanding lead, shutting down the Shred offense with every opportunity.

On what looked like it was going to be another strong Oakland drive, Shred’s Joe Merrill came up with a huge block, shooting past the intended Spider and smacking the disc to the turf. As the crowd roared, Derick Knighton rushed forward, picking up the disc and connecting with Luke Yorgason for the score, finally putting the Shred on the board.

After some missed grabs by the Spiders and a turnover, Jordan Kerr found McKay Yorgason in the endzone with under a minute left, putting another point on the board. After their slow start, Salt Lake looked to be coming to life late in the first quarter.

The momentum at the end of the first quarter carried over into the second. The Spiders threw the opening pull, which careened through the air and landed just past midfield. Picking it up for Salt Lake was veteran Jordan Kerr, who immediately hucked the disc 76 yards to Matt Russnogle. Racing past defenders, Russnogle elevated and caught the disc in the back of the endzone.

The crowd once again came to life as the Shred pulled within three. The newfound fire continued to catch. Despite a quick response by the Spiders, Salt Lake found the endzone again with a 46-yard Yorgason to Yorgason score.

However, each time the Shred inched closer, the Spiders stayed consistent on the offensive line. Up 8-4, Oakland’s hold and offensive line conversion rates were an even 80%, compared to the Shred’s 44% and 29% respectively.

By the end of the half, Oakland had run up the score 12-6, their dominant offense out-scoring the inconsistent Shred offense.

Even with Oakland running up the score at the beginning of the second half, the crowd at Zion’s Bank Stadium was raucous, cheering, booing and enforcing their will onto the match.

After a botched catch on a post-goal pull, the Spiders tried to play things off. But the crowd wasn’t fooled and immediately started protesting the no-call. However, the officials soon blew the whistle, giving the disc over to the Shred. Sprinting to the starting spot right on the goal line, the Shred scored effortlessly and gained a roar from the home crowd.

A late push in the third by Salt Lake earned them a total of five goals, matching Oakland’s five. Down 17-11 and with the crowd on their side, Salt Lake could smell a comeback going into the fourth quarter.

Those hopes were bolstered as Kerr connected with Knighton on a deep toss into the endzone. Salt Lake continued to put up some energy stoking goals. Unlike their first half selves, Salt Lake looked much more cohesive offensively. With eight minutes left in the game, Kimball Pew pulled the Shred within four points.

Shocked by the sudden surge by the Shred, Oakland struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities. One such turnover led to a perfectly timed timeout call by Salt Lake and had all the elements of a redemptive run over the reeling Spiders.

With under five minutes to play, Salt Lake played like a team possessed. Slipping the disc around diving defenders and making its way down the field. The tension soared, with both teams giving it their all.

A diving block from Alex Forsberg saved a Spiders goal and led to a subsequent Salt Lake score. After a late goal confirmation from the officials, the Shred had pulled themselves within two points, 20-18. 

Another block by Forsberg withheld yet another goal from Oakland. In response, Shred’s Anthony Mounga hucked the disc deep towards the endzone. Hand fighting with the defender, L Yorgason timed his launch into the air perfectly, snatching the disc over the defender, moving the score to 20-19.

As the clock ticked down with under a minute left, Oakland tried to make some magic happen. Instead, they were met with M Yorgason, who dove past a running Spider and blocked the disc. The crowd once again erupted and hopes soared for Salt Lake.

But, in dramatic fashion, Oakland made a tough defensive stand and got the disc back from Salt Lake. A deep huck to the endzone drained out the final seconds of the clock and the disc hit the ground, ending all hopes of an overtime showdown.

Final score: Spiders 20, Shred 19.

The Salt Lake Shred will take on the Seattle Cascades on Saturday, July 4, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.