Chicago Union Drop Two Over Independence Day Weekend, Fall to 1-8
By Elise Gan
Photography by Daniel Cohen
CHICAGO — The Chicago Union were unable to secure a win over the Independence Day weekend, falling to both the Minnesota Wind Chill and the Indianapolis AlleyCats to move to 1-8 on the season.
Chicago Union @ Minnesota Wind Chill – Friday, July 3
The Union traveled to Minneapolis for their third meeting of the season with the division-leading Wind Chill, who entered the game undefeated and had won both prior matchups between the two teams. Chicago fell 25-16, its largest margin of defeat this season.
The game opened evenly, with Chicago trailing by only one goal after the first quarter. Less than a minute into the second quarter, the Union tied the score at 4-4 and briefly took their first lead of the game, 6-5. Minnesota answered with a 6-1 run to close the half ahead 11-7, then pulled away in the second half, scoring 14 of their 25 goals after the break.
The Wind Chill finished the game completing 95 percent of their passes and converting 13 of 15 huck attempts, while forcing 22 Union turnovers.
Andrew Sjogren and Jack Shanahan each recorded three goals for Chicago. Cullen Baker contributed four assists and two goals.
Chicago Union vs. Indianapolis AlleyCats – Sunday, July 5
Chicago returned to action following an off-day for its third matchup of the season against Indianapolis. They opened strong: 25 seconds in, Pawel Janas connected with Wilson Matthews on a 74-yard huck for the game's first goal. The Union extended their lead to 4-0 before the AlleyCats got on the board.
Indianapolis responded with a run of its own, tying the game 4-4 and taking a 7-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. The AlleyCats extended their advantage to 10-6 in the second quarter before Joe Cercello connected with Luke Brennan to slow the run. Ben Preiss scored twice before halftime, helping Chicago close the gap to 13-9 at the break.
The teams traded goals through the third quarter, with Preiss's diving catch cutting the Union's deficit to two at 15-13. After an AlleyCats score Chicago then reeled off three straight goals to tie the game at 16, though Indianapolis regained a 17-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Janas and Matthews connected again to open the fourth quarter and tie the game, but the AlleyCats finished strong, closing the contest with a 7-4 run, taking the game 24-20 and completing the season series sweep.
Preiss led Chicago with seven goals and 282 receiving yards. Matthews added five goals, and Janas recorded seven assists.
Up Next
The Union return to action against the New York Empire on Friday July 10th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at https://shop.gochicagounion.com/collections/tickets. The game will also be broadcast live on WatchUFA.TV.
