New England Finds Trouble Over the Canadian Border
MEDWAY, MA - The New England Intensity of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) lost a tough battle at the Montreal Blitz on Saturday, June 9th, 28-21.
An uncharacteristically hot and humid early June afternoon was the setting for arguably the most exciting game of the season thus far for The Intensity. Too bad the outcome was not a favorable one. The Intensity, coming off a tough division lost in New York City last weekend, continued their road woes versus their Canadian opponents.
It would be hard to find two more similar and evenly matched teams, at least on June 9th, 2007. Both squads have diverse offenses with excellent throwing attacks, good team speed and conditioning, never-say-die attitudes, and yes, a tendency to at times be their own worst enemy.
New England struck first, on their opening drive, quickly posting a touchdown (6 yard pass from QB Val Halesworth to TE Kate Slack) less than three minutes into the game (aided by 25 penalty yards courtesy of the Blitz defense). Montreal was unable to answer on their first possession as LB/OL Anita Barnes had 2 of her 7 tackles during this drive that ended in a Blitz punt.
The Intensity sputtered on their next possession with Halesworth being sacked [for the first of 6 times] on 2nd and 1. They failed to convert on 3rd down and were forced to punt on 4th down. The Blitz capitalized and rattled of eight running plays, including ones of 11, 7, and 33 yards, capped off by a 1 yard TD run on 2nd and Goal after DT Jennifer "Coco" Edwards and LB/FB Charlene Casey (4 tackles apiece for the game) stuffed Montreal's previous attempt to punch one in.
The turnover woes for New England were soon to begin. After a false start on the first play of the possession, a Halesworth pass to a receiver behind her fell incomplete but was recovered by Montreal. Fortunately, the defense held and the home team missed 42-yard field goal attempt. Two offensive plays later, Charlene Casey, who finished the day with a respectable 4.5 yards per carry average would fumble, giving the Blitz the ball at the Intensity 31 yard line. Once again, the defense held strong and the result of this turnover was the same as the first, a missed FG?this one a 39 yard attempt.
The visiting squad took over on their 29 yard line and really got their offense going. They moved the ball all the way down to the Blitz 11 yard line over 11 plays, getting yards in the air, on the ground and via penalties on the Montreal defense. In an increasingly all-too-familiar fashion for this day, a turnover would stymie the surging offense. This time, a Halesworth pass would be intercepted on the goal line and retuned out to the Blitz 10 yard line. Two plays, one offensive penalty, and a blown coverage later and Montreal pulled ahead after a 95 yard touchdown pass and subsequent successful PAT, 14-7, which is how the two teams would go into halftime.
New England kicked off to start the 2nd half and the defense was on a mission to get the ball back. They were successful in their mission as they forced Montreal to a quick 3-and-out, largely on the back of LB Missy Marmorale who had 3 of her 7 tackles on that defensive stand. The Intensity found no cure for the turnover bug in the locker room as RB Stephenie Samuelson fumbled 4 plays into New England's next possession giving The Blitz good field position?their 42 yard line.
New England's defense, in another common subplot this season, was up to the task. Bending not breaking, the "D" picked their spots and held their ground when necessary, led by LB Stacey Martin who had 2 of her 6 tackles on this drive. The Blitz attempted and missed their third FG of the day, this one a 46-yard try. The Intensity offense was able to pay back their defense with a long breather and some points on the scoreboard. Stephenie Samuelson redeemed herself by capping of the 14-play drive with a 23 yard touchdown run that, with the PAT, tied the game at 14 with just under 10 minutes to play.
The Intensity defense dug their heels in and forced Montreal to a 3 and out. After the punt, New England took over possession on their 21-yard line looking to make a protracted scoring drive to take the lead and, hopefully, hold on to win the game. The best drawn plans sometimes do not come to fruition and that was sadly the case for the visitors. Montreal's defense held strong and 5 plays into the drive they sacked Halesworth, causing a fumble that The Blitz recovered on The New England 27. Montreal promptly scored 3 plays later and went up 21-14 with 4:10 left in the game.
Anyone that knows The Intensity knows they do not quit. Four plays into their next possession, Halesworth connected for a 54-yard touchdown strike to WR Tricia Donovan. The PAT was good and the game was tied up with 2:37 left on the clock.
As it turns out, The Blitz aren't big on quitting either . . . Four plays and 58 seconds later, Montreal had pulled ahead 28-21 on a 40-yard scamper.
With less than 2 minutes left to play New England would have to flawlessly execute their hurry-up offense if they were to tie/win the game. Halesworth (who would finish the game 13-20 for 161 yards, with two interceptions, two fumbles and six sacks) took to the air, connecting with Kate Slack twice, who finished the game with 73 yards receiving on 7 catches, and RB Laruen Manfred (2 catches for 26 yards). Unfortunately, Montreal was up for the task and sacked a scrambling Halesworth three times on the drive, causing The Intensity to turn the ball over on downs and effectively end the game.
It is tough to argue that the single largest problem The Intensity had was in the turnover department. Two interceptions and 4 lost fumbles (compared to no turnovers for the Blitz) proved to be a major factor in the game's result as Montreal was able to score two touchdowns off of turnovers and had three other unsuccessful scoring opportunities (3 missed FG). Montreal ended the day with 194 yards passing and 166 yards rushing.
Despite's New England's ability to correct it's haunting penalty challenge, its continued susceptibility to giving up the big play was a big part of the loss. Rookie PK Michelle Hicks averaged over 41 yards per kickoff on four attempts and was 3 for 3 on PATs. DT Torrance Brown, back off IR, recorded 3 tackles in the 2nd half and rookie CB Lisa Close, started her first game with 6 tackles (4 unassisted).
The Intensity returns home to the friendly confines of Hanlon Memorial Field at Medway High School for a two-game homestand on June 16th versus the Manchester Freedom and on June 23rd versus the DC Divas. Remember 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.
