Alley Rats Take Inagural CHILL Summer Championship

In an exhilarating conclusion to the inaugural Chicago Indoor Lacrosse League (CHILL) season, the Alley Rats secured their place as the league’s first-ever champions. Capping off a stellar summer, the Rats captured the CHILL Cup with a hard-fought victory over the Lake Monsters, holding on for a dramatic win in the final minutes.

The Alley Rats entered the playoffs as the top seed, finishing the regular season with an impressive 6-2 record. Their strong performance over the first four weeks earned them the #1 seed and a semifinal matchup against the 4th seed Chicago-Style Dogs. The Rats wasted no time in dispatching their opponent, handling business with a commanding victory to advance to the championship game.

On the other side of the bracket, the Lake Monsters emerged from a gritty battle with the Shamrocks, edging out a close win to secure their spot in the final. Both teams entered the championship with momentum, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

The championship game lived up to expectations, as the Alley Rats and Lake Monsters traded goals in a tightly contested affair. Neither team could establish a clear advantage, with the score remaining neck and neck for much of the game. However, the turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Alley Rats finally broke through, taking a crucial two-goal lead late in the game.

With just minutes remaining, the Rats tightened their defense and maintained their composure, thwarting a last-ditch effort by the Lake Monsters to tie the game. The final whistle blew, and the Alley Rats celebrated their 2024 CHILL championship, becoming the first team to have their name etched on the CHILL Cup.