Crush Playoff Hopes Alive with Victory over Freeze
June 10, 2003 - National Women's Football Association (NWFA)
Connecticut Crush News Release
NEWINGTON, CT â June 10, 2003 â The Connecticut Crush Women's Professional Football Team moved one step closer to playoff paradise with a 37-12 victory over the Maine Freeze this past Saturday. With this victory and a little help from Philadelphia's win over Massachusetts the same night, the Crush have the opportunity to enter the postseason for the first time in its 3-year history. Even the heavy rains of the evening couldn't put a damper on that.
The Crush won the coin toss and jumped out to an early lead, charging down the field on the opening drive to score on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Running Back and Back-up Quarter Back April Meyer (#20) to Wide Receiver Kim Palmer (#13). The extra point by Philippa Scott (#85) was unsuccessful. The Freeze fought back on their initial drive, running the ball 4 times behind Rebecca Manson (#9) for a total of 56 yards and a touchdown. The Freeze missed the extra point attempt and due to strong defensive stances by both teams, the score remained tied at 6 apiece for the remainder of the first quarter.
Poor weather conditions made it especially challenging for the teams to hold onto the ball, as evidenced by 3 fumbles in six plays in the second quarter alone. But the Crush proved they could overcome their turnover woes, scoring two more times before the half. The first was a 27-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Donna Bruce (#9) to Palmer. This time the extra point was good. The next score came on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Bruce to Palmer at just over 2 minutes left in the half. Palmer took the ball again on the 2-point conversion sending the Crush into the break with a 21-6 lead.
In the second half the Crush offense stepped up once again with a spectacular 70-yard touchdown run, the longest of the season, from Rookie Running Back Nicole Paradis (#31). The 2-point conversion from Meyer was unsuccessful, but the stifling Crush defense was too much for the Freeze to overcome, pinning Maine deep in its own territory and resulting in a 2-point safety by Crush Linebacker Leah Helm (#42). Maine, however, was determined to narrow the gap, scoring on a fake punt late in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 29-12. The Crush responded with 45-yard touchdown run on a hook and ladder pass from Bruce to Palmer to Meyer. The Crush attempted another successful two-point conversion as time ran out, leading to the final score.
The Crush travel to Portland, Maine this Saturday, June 14th for a rematch versus the Maine Freeze in the last game of the regular season. Kickoff is 7:00 PM. For more details on the 2003 Connecticut Crush season, visit the team website at www.crushfootball.com.
National Women's Football Association Stories from June 10, 2003
- Crush Playoff Hopes Alive with Victory over Freeze - Connecticut Crush
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