Atlanta Xplosion in heartbreaker loss to Miami
May 12, 2003 - Independent Women's Football League (IWFL)
Atlanta Xplosion News Release
For the first time in its brief history, the 2003 Atlanta Xplosion came up on the short side of a 26-21 score last Saturday evening in Miami, FL. The 60-minute battle wasn't decided until the final seconds- living up to everyone's expectations of a rivalry in the making. Atlanta (in its inaugural season of play) gave Miami (in its 4th season of competition) more than a mouthful from the opening whistle to the final horn.
The Xplosion (2-1) were sparked all evening long by the superhuman play of Charmaine Chin. "Maine" XPLODED for 317 all-purpose yards (208yds rushing, 77yds receiving, 32yds kick returns) and accounted for 14 of the Atlanta's 21 points scored. Dragging a Miami defender along for the ride, Chin put Atlanta ahead early on a 33-yard strike from Sue Cackowski in the 1st quarter. She followed up the touchdown with a sprint around the left side for the 2-point conversion, making the score 8-0. "Maine" scorched Miami's veteran defense on long bursts throughout the game and allowed ATL to regain the lead late in the 3rd quarter on a 60-yd sprint into the end zone. Atlanta's defensive charge was lead by Captain Kiwanii "KK" Gibson with 11 total hits (2 assists) and Celeste "Haley" Rausch with 6 hits (1 assist).
Miami (3-0)- who has yet to lose a football game this decade- lead at the half 20-14. Both teams traded blows in the third quarter, with the Xplosion jumping ahead at 21-20 on Chin's second score of the day. Miami trailed Atlanta going into the 4th quarter by the same 1 point deficit- this was the first time in two seasons that Miami did not have the lead going into the final stanza. The Fury regained the lead for good while converting a 3rd-and-13 with 4 minutes left. Atlanta's final 2 drives were thwarted by Miami- who then wisely kneeled on the ball to wind out the clock.
Commenting briefly after the contest, Xplosion Defensive Coordinator Phil Beniamino stated, "Three missed tackles turned into three Miami touchdowns- it was that simple". Head Coach M.G. Dawson added, "Everyone that is a part of this organization took this loss to heart- it is a feeling that no one in red, silver and black plans on revisiting- ever".
For the past two road contests, Atlanta has carried as many visiting fans as their home-standing foes. The Xplosion now return home for the first time in a month to face Tampa Bay (2-2). Atlanta dominated the initial meeting between these teams on April 3rd in Tampa, winning 25-6.
Contact: Elizabeth Deschesne PR/Media Relations Media@AtlantaXplosion.com
http://www.atlantaxplosion.com
Independent Women's Football League Stories from May 12, 2003
- Atlanta Xplosion in heartbreaker loss to Miami - Atlanta Xplosion
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