Sacramento Sirens Win Home Opener

March 9, 2003 - Independent Women's Football League (IWFL)
Sacramento Sirens News Release


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 9, 2003) – The Sacramento Sirens, Sacramento's professional women's full tackle football team, defeated the Oakland Banshees yesterday 64 – 14 to begin the new 2003 season. With core players returning, the Sirens capitalized on the rebuilding Banshees by forcing numerous fumbles and turnovers throughout the game.

Capping off an impressive drive in the first quarter, QB Chantelle Powers kept the ball for a one yard run with 10:25 remaining. With Nancy Stoner's point after kick good, the Sirens led 7 – 0. Late in the first quarter, the Sirens scored three times with two rushing touchdowns by RB Michelle Kahler (67 yards and 32 yards) and one passing touchdown of Powers to TE Sarah Trobee. Two out of the three point after attempts by Stoner were good to end the quarter 27 – 0.

In the second quarter, the Sirens defense took over forcing three fumbles and one interception. Although the Banshees recovered their own fumbles, the Sirens capitalized on the interception and drove down the field enabling Powers to score her second touchdown of the day. With RB Julie Wicher's one yard touchdown run, Kahler's 3 yard touchdown run, and Stoner's one point after kick good, the Sirens entered the locker room with a halftime lead of 46 - 0.

After halftime, the Banshees capitalized on a Sirens fumble with QB Barbara Butler passing to Kelly Gary for a touchdown with 10:27 remaining in the third quarter. The Banshees were successful in their two-point conversion attempt to change the score to 46 – 8. On the following drive, the Sirens scored on a 41-yard run by HB Hilary McLaughlin to raise the score to 52 – 8 at the end of the third quarter.

With 12:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, Kahler scored on a 12 yard run but with Stoner's point after kick no good, the score was 58 – 8. The Banshees offense then moved the ball down the field but the Sirens defense held the Banshees on the fourth down at the one yard line, forcing the Banshees to turn the ball over on downs. On the next play with 6:53 remaining in the game, Wicher ran 99 yards, bringing the crowd to its feet and rewarding the defense for its hard work, making the score 64 – 8. Showing they still had some life to them, the Banshees scored with 6:45 left in the game on a 2 yard run but failed to score on a two point conversion.

The Sirens visit the San Francisco StingRayz on March 15 at Kezar Stadium before returning home on March 22 to play the Santa Rosa Scorchers at Capital Christian High School at 1:00 PM. This game will be Student and Senior Appreciation Day where students and seniors will be admitted for only $5.00

Season Tickets are still available at all Sirens practices at 7:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Capital Christian High School or the day of the game. Season tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for seniors and students and $25 for youths age 10-18 and are valid for all 2003 home games plus free parking.



Independent Women's Football League Stories from March 9, 2003


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