SunFire Sweeps Amazons
Published on October 7, 2003 under Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
San Diego Sunfire News Release
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego SunFire broke the franchise record set just last weekend by scoring 58 points against the Amazons (2-7), the highest point total in the team's three-year history, winning 58-14 Saturday night in Los Angeles. Check below for the complete Conference standings.
San Diego, which improved to 4-4 in WPFL play, reaches the .500 mark for the first time this season. Saturday night's game was marred by a fourth quarter midfield brawl which included ejections on both sides. However, the SunFire kept their composure by handing the Amazons its seventh consecutive loss of the season.
The Amazons were on the board first with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Kara Schwab to Keosha Tidwell to take a 6-0 lead late in the first period. San Diego scored three straight touchdowns in the second quarter. Two scores came courtesy of running back Railene Ritzberg. "Rai" had runs of 37 and 72 yards and tallied both two-point conversions to put the SunFire up 16-6. Just before the half, Aisha Ruffo connected with Angie Corrine on a 4- yard pass for a touchdown to extend San Diego's lead to 24-6; Jasmine Sveum made good on the two-pointer.
The Amazons tried to stay with San Diego in the second half with several big runs set up a three-yard touchdown pass from Schwab to Vanessa Otero. Los Angeles added the two-point conversion to make the score 34-14. Los Angeles recovered the ensuing kickoff, when the SunFire lost the ball, however, the SunFire defense, led by Latashia McKinney and Marissa Wilson held them in check. On the next possession, Ruffo found Carmen Cruz for her first TD reception of the game to put the SunFire up 40â14. In the fourth quarter, it was all SunFire. Ritzberg had two more touchdowns from 1 and 20 yards out. Ruffo connected again with Cruz for an 8-yard score. Running back Mary Grace Eala closed out the scoring with a 12 yard run and a 2 point conversion. The Amazons had one last chance to score but were foiled by an Angie Corrine interception to end the game.
NEXT GAME - The SunFire will travel to Arizona to take on the Knighthawks on October 11, 7:05 p.m.
LAST MEETING â In San Diego, the SunFire beat the Knighthawks 50-0.
SUPER GIRL - #20 Railene Ritzberg - "Rai" had 21 carries for 275 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Game.
OH LINE!! - #99 Michelle "Big Red" Bryant â led the SunFire's Offensive Pancake Attack - #76 Desiree Iuli, #98 Mindy Iuli, #71 Lisa "Big White" Sigmund, #97 Danielle Weber and #92 Monique Powless to another dominating game. Thanks to their text book blocking - through eight games Ritzberg has nearly 1,300 yards rushing.
SUNFIRE SUPER STAR -Team Captain and three-time All-Star Carmen Cruz had 10 receptions for 118 yds. and 3 touchdowns.
DYNAMIC DUO - LB Marissa Wilson and LB Latashia McKinney combined for 17 tackles. McKinney led all defenders with 10 ½ tackles and was named Defensive Player of the Game.
DOUBLE DUTY - #8 Angie Corinne had an interception on defense and caught a touchdown pass on offense.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from October 7, 2003
- SunFire Sweeps Amazons - San Diego Sunfire
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