SunFire Falls 41-24 in Season Finale to Caliente
Published on October 20, 2003 under Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
San Diego Sunfire News Release
SAN DIEGO â The SunFire capped off its third season with a loss to Arizona, 41-24, at La Jolla High School Stadium on Saturday night. The SunFire finished 5-4 in conference play and 5-5 overall in the team's third season of professional women's football.
The game had no bearing on the playoffs as both teams were out of the race. The Caliente ended the campaign at 8-2 and in second place in the conference. San Diego, who ended in third place, finished at or above the .500 for the third consecutive season. The SunFire boasted some of the top players in the league with wide receiver Carmen Cruz, running back Railene Ritzberg and an impressive offensive line. Despite having an abundance of rookies, the SunFire were competitive all season long.
San Diego struck first in the well-contested game, marching down the field on running plays to setup a three-yard touchdown pass from Aisha Ruffo to Cruz. Cruz converted the two-pointer to put the SunFire up 8-0 early in the first. The Caliente didn't answer until the second quarter, when Angie Darnell scored on a two-yard touchdown run. Arizona failed to convert on the two-point attempt. The SunFire came right back with a reverse handled by Cruz for a touchdown from eight yards out. She then pulled double duty catching the pass for the two-point conversion extending the SunFire lead to 16-6, Arizona was motivated enough to score back to back.
Twice Angel Saad connected for scores of five and seven yards to Amy Lewis for Arizona. The Caliente was within two points of the lead at 18-16, before San Diego recovered a Caliente fumble. Ruffo capitalized by finding her favorite target, Cruz for a 55-yd touchdown pass. Then, it was Cruz making good again on the two-point conversion with another well-placed pass from Ruffo. The SunFire were up 24-18 at the half.
In the third period, Arizona got its second lead of the game at 26-24. Saad found Marcus on a 28-yard touchdown pass play and then converted on the two-point attempt. A costly interception put the Caliente in scoring position again to start the fourth quarter. Marcus came in at quarterback for Arizona and led the Caliente to a score on a 50-yard halfback pass to Lewis. The Caliente scored again on a two yard run by Jennifer Calusine with Kim Hoke, completing the two-pointer to give Arizona a 17-point cushion putting an end to the SunFire's chances of a comeback win.
GAME HIGHLIGHT â At halftime, SunFire three-year vets and All-Stars â paid tribute to 10 year old Christina Coronado, a defensive end/linebacker for the El Cajon Braves. Christina is the only girl in the league and one or the best players overall. Carmen Cruz, Railene Ritzberg, Athena Reyes and Desiree Luli presented Christina with an autographed SunFire ball, a shirt, a signed program book and SunFire gear to applaud her efforts as a football player and the future of women's football. El Cajon Braves Coach, David A. Isham Sr., brought Christina's efforts to the attention of SunFire owner Donna Fox.
NEXT EVENT â The SunFire and Gridiron Girls Inc. will host the NFL Pepsi, Punt, Pass and Kick Championship at the Kroc Center in La Mesa on November 8.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - #81 CARMEN CRUZ â Scored all three SunFire touchdowns, two receiving, one rushing and two 2-point conversions. Arguably â the most dominating all-around player in the league, Cruz has completed her finest year of women's football and earned her 3rd All-Star nomination.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME â Rookie Linebackers Marissa Wilson and Latashia McKinney combined for 19 ½ tackles . These two led the SunFire Defense all season long and are definitely the most dominating rookie defensive pair in the league.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from October 20, 2003
- SunFire Falls 41-24 in Season Finale to Caliente - San Diego Sunfire
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