SunFire Sweeps over Knighthawks in OT
Published on October 13, 2003 under Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
San Diego Sunfire News Release
SAN DIEGO - From a 1-4 start to a record of 5-4. The SunFire came out on top in the team's first overtime contest this season with a 20-14 win over the Knighthawks in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday night. The series sweep is the second in a row for San Diego and fourth consecutive win.
San Diego is above .500 for the first time this season. Head coach Darrell McGaughy admitted that the SunFire did not play up to its full potential on Saturday. "The Knighthawks came ready to play. They were not concerned about the 50 point shutout we handed them just a few weeks ago. We were fortunate to get that win." Although much better than their record suggests, Arizona falls to 1-8.
San Diego struck first, marching down the field on running plays to setup a three-yard touchdown run by Jasmine Sveum. Railene Ritzberg converted the two pointer for an 8 - 0 SunFire lead. The Knighthawks answered in the second quarter on a touchdown run by Latonia Kelly from eight yards out. After a scoreless third, the SunFire opened the fourth quarter with a 13 yard run by Sveum. San Diego failed on the two-point conversion leaving the door open for a possible tie. With just over three minutes left in the game the Knighthawks struck paydirt. Arlene Locklin scored on a three yard run. Locklin connected with Sophia Russell for the two-point conversion to tie the score at 14. In sudden death overtime, Arizona won the toss and elected to receive. On the kickoff, Ritzberg raced down the field to force a fumble and the SunFire Rose Centeno recovered the ball on the Arizona 18-yard line. Four plays later it was Ritzberg into the endzone with a five-yard run for the winning score.
NEXT GAME - The SunFire season finale is at home against the Arizona Caliente on October 18, 7:05 p.m. at La Jolla High School Stadium. San Diego won its first game of the year against the Caliente. Arizona was one win away from advancing to the league playoffs.
LAST MEETING â In Arizona, the Caliente beat the SunFire 38-20.
SUPER GIRL RAI TO THE RESCUE! - #20 Railene Ritzberg - "Rai" forced the fumble on the opening kickoff of overtime to put the SunFire on the Knighthawks 18-yard line. She ran all four plays including the five-yard touchdown to win the game. Ritzberg finished with 17 carries for 141 yards rushing, 1 touchdown and a two-point conversion.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - #34 Jaz Sveum - "Jaz" stepped in as Punter/Kicker/Fullback. As a fullback she had 7 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns to lead the team in scoring.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME - Defensive stars #52 Marissa Wilson, #57 Latashia McKinney, #50 Wendy Hanlon, #56 Rose Centeno, #75 Lesley Fisher, and 3-yr vets #27 Faith Nealy and #69 Laquetta Benjamin - kept a determined Arizona offense in check by controlling the run, forcing and recovering fumbles. DB Angie Corrine netted an interception, Hanlon picked off her first pass of the season and Centeno recovered the forced fumble in overtime to set up the win.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from October 13, 2003
- SunFire Sweeps over Knighthawks in OT - San Diego Sunfire
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