DC Divas burn Baltimore
Published on April 21, 2003 under National Women's Football Association (NWFA)
D.C. Divas News Release
The Divas took the field April 19th for their first home game against their archrival the Baltimore Burn expecting a game much like last year's meetings, a tough matchup against the only team to beat them in 2002. However, when the buzzer sounded after four rough quarters of football, the Divas had not just beaten the Burn, they did what last year seemed impossibleâthey shut the 2002 division champs out for a 24-0 win.
The Divas gained control early, with a touchdown carried by running back Donna Wilkinson, who would go on to carry the ball 36 times for an impressive 202 total rushing yards. With a successful two point conversion, the Divas were on the board 8-0 in the first quarter. The Burn was unable to get anything going against the Divas defense, and in the Divas next drive, gains were made by Wilkinson, and wide receiver Tara Kallal. The Divas could nearly taste their second touchdown during this drive in the second quarter, but had to wait until their next possession, when quarterback Allison Hamlin threw the touchdown pass at 1:51 to wide receiver Nikki Williams. The conversion made, the Divas went to the half with a lead of 16-0.
The teams played a 3rd quarter with no score, and the 4th quarter saw back-to-back interceptions just 8 seconds apart, with Baltimore first picking off a Divas pass at 14:53, and Divas safety Jennifer Long grabbing the next Baltimore pass at 14:45. The Divas turned this regained possession into a scoring opportunity when Wilkinson carried the ball in for her second touchdown of the evening at 11:30. With another successful conversion, the Divas were sitting pretty at 24-0. The Burn put some pressure on with their next drive reaching within a few yards of the goal, but the Divas held them back, and Baltimore was unable to score.
The clock finally ran down and the Divas domination was complete, with a strong running game and a defense that shut down the Burn's offense. Asked about this phenomenal win against their long-standing rival, Head Coach Cooper had this to say about his two-touchdown running back, who was voted Offensive MVP for the second straight week, "Donna Wilkinson has got to be the best backer in the league. She's unstoppable--I don't know who's going to stop her; she's the heart and soul of the team." She and the Divas have a bye week next week, but face the Pittsburgh Passion--a fledgling team that managed to keep Baltimore to just a 7-0 score at their first game--at home on May 3rd at Eastern High School.
National Women's Football Association Stories from April 21, 2003
- DC Divas burn Baltimore - D.C. Divas
- Connecticut Crush Hit Rochester Hard - Connecticut Crush
- NWFA Gains Momentum - NWFA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
