For the second time in franchise history, the Indianapolis AlleyCats (12-3) advanced to the Midwest American Ultimate League divisional championship.
Both AlleyCats and Madison Radicals (12-2) players need to control their emotions.
“Emotions will be running high, that’s for sure,” head coach Eric Leonard said. “Our team runs on high energy and strong emotions, so I don’t plan on restraining the team there.”
The last time the AlleyCats and Radicals squared off was on June 30 in Madison, Wisconsin. The AlleyCats have not won at Breese Stevens Field, while the Radicals have not won at Grand Park Events Center. Leonard said the key for them to defeat Madison is “limiting our mistakes.” In that game, Indianapolis had 23 throwaways. The AlleyCats will need help from everyone on offense, especially Rick Gross.
Gross is second on the team in goals with 56 and leads the team with 28 Ds. He did not play in the divisional game against Minnesota, due to a concussion-like injury. Spencer Loscar, who has played alongside Gross since 2014, said Gross is an amazing teammate.
“When he is on the field, I feel confident that we can beat anyone,” Loscar said. “That’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) status. He is a hard worker and motivates me and many others.”
This weekend, the AlleyCats are in its second Midwest divisional championship. The last time the AlleyCats won the championship was in 2012, the first year of the program’s existence in the AUDL. Loscar said this is a great chance to prove to everyone that they can beat Madison.
“I don’t think there is one person outside of the AlleyCats fans and players who think we will win,” Loscar said. “We have to play the underdog and come out firing.”
Besides the Midwest divisional championship this weekend, there are two other championships on the line in the AUDL.
AROUND THE AUDL
The Los Angeles Aviators, who are from the West division, became the first AUDL team to earn a spot in the AUDL Championship Weekend VII on July 21, defeating San Diego Growlers, 26-22. Aviators are 12-3 in the season. This is the Aviators first time in Championship Weekend.
In a rainy South divisional game on July 27, the Raleigh Flyers defeated Austin Sol, 26-23. The Flyers (11-4) will face the Dallas Roughnecks (13-1) in the South divisional championship game on July 28.
Finally, the New York Empire square off against Toronto Rush in the East divisional championship game. In the divisional round, Empire (9-6) defeated DC Breeze on July 21, 19-15. Toronto comes into this championship game with a record of 13-1 and seek their fifth consecutive East division championship. The champion of this division squares off against the Midwest division champ.
The Midwest championship game starts at 7 p.m. on July 28 at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, Wisconsin.
Patrick Murphy 