Photo credit: Meghan White
July 8, 2024
By Grant Loehrke
Just over a week ago, the Chicago Union were handed their second of two losses this season to the UFA Central Division leaders, the Minnesota Wind Chill, on their home turf. However, Saturday night proved that third time’s a charm. In a stunning turn of events, on a road trip to Minnesota’s Sea Foam Stadium, the Union reversed their losing spell and beat the Wind Chill by a final score of 25-20. Chicago has prevented a Minnesota season sweep.
Photo credit: Meghan White
Chicago led on nearly all fronts, including the key categories of D-line conversion percentage (67%) and hold percentage (86%). Failed break chances contributed most to Minnesota’s downfall in this third matchup. Yet again, Sam Kaminsky led the charge in overall completions, clocking 64 over four quarters. Jack Shanahan recorded a plus/minus of 8 and had 5 goals on the night - many coming from teammate and co-captain Dex Dremann. Rookies have been a crucial factor for the Union on both sides of the disc, and this game was no exception. Nate Astrom co-led in points played alongside Shanahan, while Jake-Rubin Miller led in Astrom’s niche category of total blocks (3).
Photo credit: Rich Moll
A different new face on the Union this season, Gabe Schoepke, alumni of the local Fox Valley Fusion high school program, was a presence on the field for the first time since the Union’s matchup against Pittsburgh in June. Schoepke added to the Union’s height advantage against the Wind Chill. In the Union’s two losses to Minnesota thus far this year, the team has averaged a mere 15 goals per game, coming in much lower than their average against all other UFA opponents. This stat line was overridden Saturday, with 10 different Union players making up a total of 25 goals. While two top dogs from Minnesota were inactive on Saturday (Dylan DeClerck and Quinn Snider), several Wind Chill players, including Gordon Larson and Matt Rehder, stepped up and clocked a few more reps.
Photo credit: Rich Moll
The Union's next stop is an away match against the Madison Radicals this Friday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m. as the Central Division playoff picture begins to take shape. The Union’s season finale will be the following weekend back at home against the 1-8 Detroit Mechanix, and if all goes according to plan, the Union will secure a UFA playoff spot in the Central Division for the 5th straight year and have a slough of games after said season finale.
