Photo by Rich Moll
Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist
For the Minnesota Wind Chill, it's about the bigger picture: a chance to return to Championship Weekend and reach the summit they narrowly missed last season. The next step comes Sunday at 5 p.m. CT in Madison against the Radicals.
Breese Stevens Field is where the Minnesota Wind Chill shines. Having won their last five at the venue, it now feels like a home away from home. With their strong start this season, they look ready to make it six straight.
“It'll be a great opportunity to play for a big crowd, and hopefully preview what could be an opportunity for us to earn our way back to Championship Weekend and play again at that venue later this year,” Head Coach Ben Feldman said. “We are very focused on improving game to game this season, and are after a much larger goal.”
The team can finally unleash its college standouts, who will energize that aforementioned bigger picture. Thomas Shope returns as a proven weapon, especially after his surge in last year’s three playoff games. Nathan De Morgan, an offensive threat, stretches the field with pinpoint deep shots and range.
Both are college teammates Feldman highlighted before the season as potential offensive assets. Since their college season just ended, they may not play much, but watch how they’re used alongside key players like Noah Coolman and Gordon Larson.
Additionally, Minnesota will see the 2026 debut of Tristan Van de Moortele, one of its premier defensive handlers. Van de Moortele is coming off a standout 2025 season with 30 assists, 12 goals, and 6 blocks, and he has played well against the Radicals, hosting three of the team’s top 20 performance scores against Madison in the last four seasons.
Photo by Meghan White
This is a well-timed return, as the Wind Chill face the first Border Battle of 2026 without Justin Burnett. Kyle and Owen Suelflow and Leo Sovell-Fernandez will also miss the matchup.
“We're going to have to figure out where they fit and how they gel—it’s going to be a challenge for our team,” Feldman said. “We need to continue to build chemistry and assimilate everyone together.”
As the team works to build chemistry, a shaky start is possible. Still, Feldman’s goal for his team is meant to address that concern: assert pressure early, start hot, and get the first goal of the game. With energy high for the Radicals’ home opener, it’s important for Minnesota to diminish that advantage as early as possible.
“Both teams are undefeated, and I think scoring that first point or getting a good start in the first quarter is going to be really important for us to have success,” Feldman stated.
Sustaining that intensity through the game and into the second half will be crucial, as Minnesota has frequently pulled away from opponents in late-game stretches. Building on their doubleheader road trip momentum, the Wind Chill have played unselfishly and consistently. Over three games, 14 players have at least 5 scores, and 8 have at least 2 blocks.
The last time these teams clashed, in last year's first playoff round, the Wind Chill outscored the Radicals by five in the third quarter and sealed the win. That game kicked off a defensive surge by Paul Krenik, who locked down the league's goals leader.
Photo by Meghan White
“I’m just going to focus on running hard and doing what our D-line has done this whole year, and that’s grind out breaks and keep the ball in our hands,” Krenik stated.
He will anchor the scheme to stifle Anthony Gutowsky again, but Minnesota’s defense must also adapt to the Radicals' more deliberate, patient offense.
“We’re planning on rotating matchups and preventing them from getting big chunks of yards,” Krenik said. “It’s going to be different, but we have a few ideas for how to slow them down.”
The Radicals have the eighth-least turnovers per game this year and are willingly playing small ball, as they have attempted only five hucks through their first two games.
“They're willing to throw a lot of throws, or as many as they need to score goals,” Feldman explained. “We're going to have to generate pressure and blocks in different ways, and can't just expect them to give us the disc.”
With the Radicals being the cleanest opponent Minnesota has faced this year—their previous opponents averaged 21.3 turnovers a game—the Wind Chill must force the action. They’ll have to work even harder to remain among the league’s undefeated teams.
To watch the game this Sunday night, go here!
Join other Wind Chill fans at the team’s official watch party at New Bohemia in Golden Valley! Each fan in attendance at the beginning of Sunday’s game will have the opportunity to guess the exact score of the contest to win a $250 Wind Chill Digital Gift Card! If no one wins, the prize will increase by $100 for the next Road Game watch party. A lucky fan won a $350 gift card at our last watch party—will you be next?
