MEDWAY, MA - The New England Intensity (2-2) of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) lost a tough battle with the division-leading New York Sharks on Saturday, June 2^nd, 19-0.   

The New York Sharks entered the season with 30+ game home regular season winning streak including a 59-0 drubbing of The Intensity in 2005.  Clearly the gap between the two teams has narrowed greatly as the statistics from the game showed a fairly balanced match with the exception of the most important category, the score.  It's easy to say that this June 2^nd contest was the start of a revamped exciting divisional rivalry, unfortunately having this be the only meeting between the two teams during the 2007 season.      

A warm and breezy afternoon at Aviator Field in Brooklyn was the setting for the match.  The Intensity received the opening kickoff and proceeded to march all the way down the field to the NY 1-yard line behind QB Val Halesworth, (13 for 20, 191 yards, 2 INT) connecting on 4 out of 5 passes for 50 yards including a 26-yard reception by TE Kate Slack (4 receptions for 51 total yards) which brought the Intensity to the NY 8-yard line, and the running game of RB Steph Samuelson, RB Lauren Manfred, and RB Charlene Casey with 7 rushes for 19 yards on the drive.  However, the 12-play opening drive that took almost the entire 1^st quarter was riddled with 3 penalties for losses of 20 yards and a botched snap/hold which spoiled the 23-yard Field Goal attempt by K Michelle Hicks, and the Intensity walked away with no points on their 60-yard opening drive effort.  Penalties and occasional costly miscues on Offense would continue to haunt the Intensity throughout the game.

The Sharks wasted no time capitalizing on the momentum that Intensity's missed field goal supplied them with, rattling off 5 running plays for 8 yards or more each, including an 18-yard touchdown run that capped off New York's first possession ending the First Quarter with a 7-0 deficit for New England. 

The Intensity Defense adjusted to the New York running attack, holding the Sharks to just 21 total rushing yards for the remainder of the half.  Unfortunately, 5 of those yards were a touchdown run after another offensive penalty cut short a New England drive and gave the Sharks good field position at the New England 43.   New York entered the locker rooms at halftime with a 13-0 lead.

The two teams opened the 3^rd quarter exchanging turnovers, however the Sharks were able to briefly get their running game going again, with runs of 9, 10, and 36 yards; the last of those being for a touchdown to put them ahead 19-0 after a missed PAT.

The Intensity rebounded quickly with a 39-yard pass completion to Donovan with Intensity knocking at the NY 23-yard line, but the momentum was short-lived with a 15-yard offensive facemask penalty on the YAC. Two sacks for a loss of another 15 yards and an incomplete pass left the Intensity punting out of bounds giving NY the ball back on its own 37-yard line.

Relying once again on its Defense that contained NY to only 58 passing yards on the day, DT Jess Szyszka (4 total tackles) and DE Riss Nardelli (8 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery) came up with big stops against the run.  The Defense led by LB Kelly Kraynak (11 total tackles for the game) and DT Taj Corvino (7 total tackles and one sack) held NY to only 5 plays and the Intensity began their next offensive series on their own 36-yard line with a punt recovered by Missy Marmorale for no return.  The Intensity offense led again with an air attack with receptions by Manfred (12 yards), Donovan (15 yards) and Samuelson (13 yards) before a costly interception by Halesworth at the 13-yard line ending the 3^rd Quarter.  The Intensity Defense bended but did not break to start the 4^th, despite surrendering two long runs of 22 yards or more, they dug their heels in and with a key tackle by LB Stacey Martin (4 total tackles) and pass defense by CB Lizz Vogel (2 passes defended), New York turned the ball over on downs after a long drive to the Intensity 29 yard-line. After a 5 and out drive by the Intensity, the NY Sharks started a 23-yard drive that ended with an interception by CB Val Monaco on the 5-yard line which she returned for 32 yards, giving the Intensity another shot at avoiding the shutout.

Starting at their own 37-yard line, the Offense for New England, behind the improved offensive line play of Maggie Koosa, Kim Patterson-Herrig, Maia Goodall, Anita Barnes, and Bettyann Perry were able to provide protection to QB Halesworth as she moved the ball effectively through the air connecting with Sameulson for 10 yards, Donovan for 21 yards, and Slack for 8 yards to bring The Intensity inside the New York Red Zone.  Two penalties on the Sharks in the final 6 plays of the game kept New England's hopes alive, but tough NY defense stymied the Intensity with tackles for losses of 5 and 10 yards, as well as forcing two incomplete passes which left the Intensity with 4^th and Goal and time expiring after their last failed pass attempt.

The Intensity travels north of the border to play the Montreal Blitz on Saturday, June 9^th in hopes to regain back their winning record before returning Home to Medway for back-to-back games on June 16^th versus the Manchester Freedom and on June 23^rd versus the DC Divas.  Kickoff is at 5pm and admission is only $5.00 (children under 12 are free) with special group rates available.  First-rate concessions are available and it is fun, family-friendly atmosphere.