Photo by Ron Sellers

Article by Nate Church

The Salt Lake Shred came up short against the Oakland Spiders 20-16, in the UFA Western Division Championship game on Saturday, Aug. 8, in Oakland, California.

As with the previous matchups this season, the Shred and the Spiders had strong defensive stands and big offensive plays when it mattered most. Momentum swings throughout the first quarter kept the Shred close, a break from its pattern of falling behind early.

The Spiders owned the momentum from the opening pull, forcing two turnovers early and scoring on each opportunity. Despite the Spiders’ quick start, Salt Lake didn’t back down. It quickly scored the next two points, which included a 59-yard dart off the pull from Jordan Kerr to Jace Dunnebeil.

Chad Yorgason imposed his will on the game with a huge block and interception midway through the first. After throwing away the disc, C Yorgason rushed up the field and without breaking stride, flew in between two Oakland players, snatching back the disc. After a couple of quick throws, Kerr found McKay Yorgason in the end zone, evening the score.

By the end of the quarter, the score was tied 5-5. However, the momentum swung back into the Spiders’ favor, who took advantage of it in the second quarter.

Even though they hung with the Spiders in the first quarter, the Shred struggled to hold onto the disc in the second. Oakland stood strong on defense, scoring on multiple break opportunities and running up the score 9-5.

Despite the struggles early, Chad Yorgason came up with an incredible layout goal. Running down the disc, Yorgason faced a one-on-one battle against an Oakland defender. Matching each other’s stride, the Oakland defender shouldered Yorgason and smacked the disc forward. Not giving up, Yorgason dove, catching the disc inches above the turf.

Salt Lake put one more up on the board but ultimately was outscored 6-2 and finished the first half down 11-7.

Plagued by turnovers and a second-quarter stall, Salt Lake needed to show up big in the second half, something that they do consistently week in and week out.

The third quarter was a slow burn, with each team finishing with five goals. Neither team scored twice in a row, matching each other score for score. However, unlike the first half, Salt Lake kept the turnovers to a minimum, throwing just three in the third quarter.

With a quick goal at the end of the third quarter and two more to start the fourth, Salt Lake patiently marched its way back into the game. Down 16-13, the Shred came up with a big score halfway through the quarter. After a throwaway by the Spiders, the Shred pushed down the field. Taking advantage of gaps in the Oakland defense, Reed Browning found Matt Russnogle for a 25-yard score.

After being behind for the majority of the game, Salt Lake had cut the lead to two, forcing the Spiders to adjust late in the fourth quarter.

With a trip to Madison, Wisconsin and Championship Weekend on the line, the Oakland Spiders stepped up when it mattered most.

With three minutes left and leading 18-16, Oakland smoothly picked apart the Shred defense, scoring two more goals and holding the Shred to zero goals in the final minutes.

Crowned the winners of the Western Division, the Oakland Spiders punched its ticket to Championship Weekend, which will take place in Madison, Wisconsin on Aug. 27-28.

The Salt Lake Shred finished its season with a 6-8 record, the first losing season in program history. The Shred will return in 2027!