TItle IX ceremony June 7th

The D.C. Divas are honored to be able to host the delegation from the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. along with members of the historic 1975 Federal City College Pantherettes Women’s basketball team as honorary game captains on June 7^th in the game against Boston Militia.

Federal City College, now known as the University of the District of Columbia, then ranked No. 1 in a pre-season basketball poll, was one of the five women’s college basketball teams selected to be involved in this historic “Friendship First, Competition Second” sports diplomatic event against the Women’s National Basketball Team of China held Nov. 18-28,1975. The other four women’s basketball teams included California State University-Fullerton, Delta State University, Queen’s College and the U.S. National Team.

This historic occasion occurred prior to President Ford’s trip to China to continue the talks to formalize relations between the two countries. “ In retrospect, this tour happening was a monumental sports diplomacy step,” said D.C. Divas General Manager Rich Daniel.

 Counsellor Liyou Zha of the Chinese Embassy will lead the Embassy delegation on that day.

Game Day- JUNE 7^TH

5:00pm - Gates open to the public

5:55pm - Honorary Captains to walk to the field with our captains for the coin toss 6:00pm - Kickoff

7:15pm - Halftime recognition ceremony at midfield.

Location- Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex located at 8001 Sheriff Rd, Landover, Md. 20785.

D.C. Divas Clinch 11th Division Championship

DC 1, Central Maryland 0
By Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – The D.C. Divas clinched their 11th division championship and their 11th playoff appearance – both all-time records in women’s football – by accepting a forfeit victory over the Central Maryland Seahawks Saturday. The Divas have also all but assured themselves of a first round bye in the WFA playoffs and an opportunity to open the postseason at home in three weeks.

The forfeit victory over the Central Maryland Seahawks (0-5) is the 97th victory in the history of the D.C. Divas franchise, but only the second by forfeit. In 2010, the Philadelphia Firebirds forfeited a game to the Divas due to a league-mandated reduction of their schedule.

The D.C. Divas (4-2) have now won 11 division championships in the last 12 years, breaking a tie they held with the Sacramento Sirens for the most division titles in women’s football history. The division championship also assures the Divas of an automatic bid to the WFA playoffs. The Divas’ 11th postseason appearance will tie the mark for most playoff appearances by a women’s football franchise, set by the Sirens in 2013.

After an 0-2 start, the Divas have now won four straight contests, including three by shutout and one by forfeit. The D.C. defense has not allowed a touchdown since playing the Chicago Force on April 19.

The Divas will finish their regular season at home against their archrivals, the Boston Militia, on June 7. The Militia will enter the game undefeated and sporting the #1 ranking in women’s football, while the Divas are currently ranked #4 in the sport. D.C. hopes to avenge a 36-32 road loss they sustained at Boston to open the 2014 season.

Get your tickets today for the D.C. Divas’ regular season finale on Saturday, June 7, against their archrivals, the top-ranked Boston Militia. Kickoff for next Saturday’s game is at 6 PM at Prince George’s Sports Complex in Landover.

Divas win 3rd straight

See and read all about the 44-0 win over Atlanta.


Divas Honor Ezra Cooper with Victory over Atlanta, 44-0
Neal Rozendaal

Landover, MD – It was a performance that would have made Ezra Cooper proud.

Allyson Hamlin returned from injury to throw three touchdown passes, the defense recorded their third straight shutout, and the D.C. Divas earned a convincing 44-0 victory over the Atlanta Phoenix. The Divas (3-2) put on a dominating performance in all phases of a game they dedicated to the memory of their late former coach, Ezra Cooper.

The Divas got off to a fast start against the Atlanta Phoenix (4-2). D.C. took the opening kickoff and quickly drove down the field. Less than a minute and a half into the game, Nikki Williams put the Divas ahead, 7-0, with a 17-yard touchdown toss to Kentrina Wilson. The 48-year-old Williams, starting her third straight game at quarterback in place of the injured Hamlin, had five completions in eight attempts for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Motivated by an Atlanta team video that asked, “Who Dey?” the Divas quickly answered that question for the visiting Phoenix. The D.C. defense played with incredible intensity, notching 11 sacks and harassing the Atlanta offense all evening long. Linebacker Alicia Hopkins tallied two sacks, while nine other Divas pitched in a sack of their own.

Allyson Hamlin provided the spark that finally broke the stiff resistance of the Atlanta defense. Hamlin had missed three games since being sidelined with an injury after the team’s season opener against Boston, but she returned to game action for the first time since April 5 midway through the second quarter. She immediately made an impact; on her first drive of the game, Hamlin found Wilson on a 20-yard touchdown pass to extend the Divas’ lead to 14-0.

An Atlanta fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the Divas great field position, and D.C. cashed in again. Hamlin threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ashley Whisonant, the first touchdown reception of the season for the dynamic wide receiver. Whisonant’s grab gave the Divas a 21-0 advantage.

Emily Grossman launched the following kickoff over the heads of the Atlanta special teams, and the Divas tackled the Phoenix returner all the way back at the two-yard line. The D.C. defense swarmed through the Atlanta backfield on first down, stuffing the Atlanta ball carrier for a safety. In less than two minutes, the Divas had extended their lead from 7-0 to 23-0.

Hamlin wasn’t done yet, however. With 2:53 left in the first half, she threw her third touchdown pass of the game to give the Divas a 29-0 lead. Whisonant reeled in the 42-yard scoring pass, her second of the evening. For the game, Whisonant made four catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

Hamlin’s return clearly invigorated the Divas’ offense, and she left the game after only half of one quarter. However, she made her mark in her short stint on the field. Allyson Hamlin finished the game with four completions on nine passes for 87 yards, with three of her four completions going for touchdowns.

The Divas added two more points on a second safety near the end of the first half. A bad snap went over the Atlanta punter’s head, and she fell on the ball in the end zone to give D.C. two extra points. The Divas led at halftime, 31-0.

Several former Divas gathered for a halftime ceremony to honor Ezra Cooper. Cooper, who served as the Divas’ head coach from 2001-2008, passed away this past offseason. Former star Divas running back Monica Livingston read a speech to the crowd, including a letter of support and encouragement from Jill Cooper, Ezra’s wife. In a nod to Cooper’s philosophy of “playing for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back,” the Divas covered their names on the backs of their jerseys for this game in his honor.

Kenyetta Grigsby started the second half scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Grigsby’s run put the Divas ahead, 37-0. Grigsby had a spectacular game, rushing for 161 yards on just 13 carries with one touchdown.

Williams threw her second touchdown pass of the contest minutes later, and once again, her favorite target was Kentrina Wilson. Wilson continued to claim her place as one of the best wide receivers in women’s football by hauling in the 15-yard scoring strike, her third of the game. Kentrina Wilson ended the game with five catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns. The Divas led, 44-0, after three quarters.

As was the case in the Divas’ previous two games, the only fourth-quarter drama involved whether or not the Divas’ defensive reserves could preserve the shutout. Once again, the D.C. defense rose to the challenge, as Callie Brownson ended Atlanta’s best scoring threat with an interception at the one-yard line. Twenty-two different Divas recorded tackles in the game. Trigger McNair paced the team with eight tackles, and Brownson and Eleni Kotsis each added six.

With the 44-0 shutout win, the Divas’ defense has now gone over 13 quarters of play without surrendering a point. The victory also turned into a historic defensive performance for the Divas franchise, as it was the 50th shutout victory in team history. Thirty-five of those shutout victories came during Ezra Cooper’s head coaching tenure from 2001-2008.

The Divas now have an even fifty shutout victories under their belts, and that’s a milestone that surely would have made Coach Cooper smile.

D.C. Divas Homecoming tribute

Listen to Phoenix @ D.C.Divas Live on US Sports Radio Saturday May 17th @ 5:15pm EST

Video streaming by Ustream

Coach Ezra Cooper Honored as D.C. Divas Host Atlanta
Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – Alumni of the D.C. Divas football team will gather Saturday to honor the Divas’ legendary former coach, Ezra Cooper, while the current Divas squad will have its hands full as they host the powerful Atlanta Phoenix.

The D.C. Divas evened their 2014 record at 2-2 with a victory on May 5 over the Baltimore Burn, 43-0. Divas head coach Alison Fischer was pleased with how her team performed. “I thought we played solid all-around football,” Coach Fischer remarked. “I challenged the team to play D.C. Divas football, and I think we did that.”

The Divas’ defense was dominant once again, helping lead the team to its second shutout victory in a row. The Divas held the Burn without a single non-penalty first down for the entire game, and the Divas’ opponents have now failed to score for over nine quarters of game action.

“The defense is continuing to gel,” Fischer said. “They get better every week. The better they know our defensive scheme and the more comfortable they become, the better they play.”

Now riding a two-game winning streak, the Divas will face a strong challenge on Saturday from the visiting Atlanta Phoenix. Atlanta is a regional powerhouse in women’s football, advancing to the WFA conference semifinals last season as the champions of the southeast region. In their three seasons of existence, the Phoenix have compiled a 19-2 record in the regular season, with their two losses coming by a combined eight points.

This will be the Divas’ first ever meeting with the Atlanta Phoenix, and Fischer is impressed by their organization. “They definitely have some good athletes,” she acknowledged. “They have excellent speed, which will be a real challenge for us. We’re looking forward to the game and really looking forward to seeing how we handle their speed on both sides of the ball.”

The game against the Atlanta Phoenix has been designated as Homecoming for all Divas alumni. The Divas organization will welcome back former players and coaches as the team honors the memory of Ezra Cooper. Cooper, who passed away this off-season at age 39, served as the head coach of the D.C. Divas from 2001-2008 and led the team to five division titles and the 2006 NWFA national championship.

Cooper had a profound influence on many members of the Divas organization, including Fischer, who played as a defensive back under him for each of his eight seasons from 2001-2008. “Coach Cooper made a connection and had a special bond with every player,” Fischer recalled. “He connected with each of us on an individual level, which made all of us want to run through a wall for him. I learned a great deal from him as a player, and even when I was hired as the head coach of the Divas, I still talked with him quite a bit, met with him, picked his brain, and continued to learn from him. He was a very special coach.”

Coach Fischer knows that the Homecoming festivities and the recognition of Cooper will make for a very emotional atmosphere. “I know there will be a lot of alumni there for this game,” Fischer said. “Hopefully there will be a big crowd, and we’ll try to give them a good game.”

Get your tickets today for the D.C. Divas’ Homecoming game on Saturday, May 17, against the regional powerhouse Atlanta Phoenix by visitinghttp://dcdivas.com/gameday/tickets/. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 6 PM at Prince George’s Sports Complex in Landover.

Around the WFA – It’s a huge weekend in the Women’s Football Alliance, with two of the most anticipated games of the season taking place Saturday. The Chicago Force (5-0) and the Boston Militia (5-0) will meet on a neutral field in Pittsburgh for the first regular season meeting ever between these two elite franchises. Boston and Chicago have squared off in each of the last two National Conference championship games and came into the 2014 season ranked #1 and #2 in the league…The San Diego Surge (6-0) host the Central Cal War Angels (4-0) in the first leg of a home-and-home series. The War Angels have won four contests by an average margin of victory of 35.5 points per game, while San Diego has downed their opponents by a breathtaking average of 66.8 points per contest…The only other two undefeated teams in the WFA are the Tampa Bay Inferno (5-0) and the Kansas City Titans (5-0). Since a 32-25 victory over the Atlanta Phoenix in their season opener, Tampa Bay has won their last four games by an average of 60.8 points per game. The Titans, on the other hand, rolled in their first four games before claiming a hard-fought 33-14 victory last weekend over the Nebraska Stampede. The Inferno host the Orlando Anarchy Saturday, while Kansas City has a bye week…The storybook season of the Utah Blitz (3-2) added another chapter last Saturday, when Utah captured a 28-7 victory over the Tacoma Trauma. The Blitz are one of four teams with a winning record in the highly-competitive Northwest Division, and they are making a potential run at their first playoff berth in franchise history.

D.C. Divas Tackle Columbus Comets in Critical Division Clash

Click Here To Listen To the Game Live Starting at 5:15pm EST Saturday
Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – The first goal for the D.C. Divas every season is to win their division championship and qualify for the playoffs, and 2014 is no different. Their longtime division rivals, the Columbus Comets, come to DC Saturday for a critical WFA matchup.

Even though the Divas lost to the reigning WFA champion Chicago Force last week, 42-27, Divas head coach Alison Fischer was encouraged by how her team played in the absence of starting quarterback Allyson Hamlin. The Divas scrambled to install a Wildcat offense during the bye week, and it yielded 27 points – the most points the Chicago Force have ever surrendered in a regular season WFA game.

“We knew with the athletes we have that the Wildcat package would probably do pretty well,” Coach Fischer said. “The lack of practice time was the biggest challenge, because we didn’t have a whole lot of time to put the new offense in. We had to make some personnel changes, and it’s tough to move folks around to new positions in that short of a time. But the players responded and I liked what I saw, for the most part. Considering what we had to deal with, I think we played pretty well on offense. I thought the Wildcat was effective, and it’s something you’ll probably see more of from us.”

The Divas defense faced a prolific offense and gave a fine account of themselves for the second straight game. In particular, the halftime defensive adjustments have been outstanding, as D.C. has yielded just two second-half touchdowns combined in their last two contests.

“The defense is coming along,” Fischer remarked. “They are playing better in the second half, and one of our coaching challenges is to get them going in the first half. But overall, I love our effort, especially in the second half.”

So far this season, the Divas have solidified their place as one of the top teams in women’s football, even though they are now 0-2 after dropping consecutive close games to the teams ranked #1 and #2 in the sport. The Divas’ record brings a particular urgency to this Saturday’s game with their division rivals, the Columbus Comets. A loss to Columbus would virtually eliminate the Divas from contention for the division title, while a victory this weekend would all but assure the Divas of a spot in the WFA playoffs.

Columbus (1-1) will come into the game with momentum from a 42-0 victory over the Derby City Dynamite. Coach Fischer understands the importance of Saturday’s contest. “Columbus is a division rival, and it’s pretty much a must-win game for us if we want to win the division. That’s how we’re treating it.”

Saturday’s game promises to be a tough, well-played contest, and the Divas and Comets are longtime rivals that know each other well. “Columbus always brings it. They’re always physical and play for the whole game,” Fischer praised. “The Comets have always had a strong running game, and defensively, they have some very good athletes that get to the ball.”

Get your tickets today for this important matchup on Saturday, April 26, against the division rival Columbus Comets by visiting http://dcdivas.com/gameday/tickets/. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 6 PM at Prince George’s Sports Complex in Landover.

Around the WFA – The Chicago Force were awarded an extra point for their return of a blocked PAT attempt against the Divas, giving them a corrected final score of 42-27 in their win over D.C. last weekend. Chicago is 3-0 on the year and hosts the 2-0 West Michigan Mayhem Saturday…The Boston Militia remained undefeated with a 47-7 victory over the Cleveland Fusion last week, handing Cleveland their first regular season loss since 2012…The Atlanta Phoenix held off the Miami Fury in a defensive slugfest, 12-8. Atlanta travels to Jacksonville this weekend to battle the always-sharp Dixie Blues…Two weeks ago, the Utah Blitz held a career win/loss record over five seasons of 3-27, including 15 losses in a row. But the Blitz registered their first win since 2011 with a victory over the Everett Reign on April 12, and they now boast a winning 2-1 record on the season with their triumph last weekend over the Nevada Storm…The Seattle Majestics, Central Cal War Angels, and San Diego Surge are all 3-0 and dominating opponents on the West Coast. Seven of their nine combined victories have been by 40 points or more.

Alfred Morris vs. Kenyetta Grigsby the last 2 seasons

See Kenyetta Grigsby lead the D.C. Divas against the defending National champion Chicago Force tomorrow 4/19 at 6pm right next door to Fed Ex field.

Grigsby 20 games 2,460 total yards  37 TD's

Morris 43 games  2,888 total yards  20 touchdowns

Kenyetta Grigsby: Speed to Burn (Part 2)
Neal Rozendaal

The D.C. Divas have built much of their success around a long line of outstanding running backs. When Kenyetta Grigsby arrived with the Divas in 2010, she wanted to move back to the offensive side of the ball. But at the time, Okiima Pickett had a stranglehold on the position. Pickett was an excellent running back who was on the verge ofcapturing a gold medal with Team USA in the IFAF Women’s World Championships in 2010.

Still, Grigsby would not be denied. “I just started working out harder and harder, and eventually I made it all the way back to where I could play running back again,” Grigsby recalled. Her performances in practice were so good that she was able to platoon with Pickett at the running back position in her first season with the Divas in 2010.

Kenyetta Grigsby had several highlights as a Divas rookie, scoring three touchdowns in a 49-21 victory over the New York Nemesis in 2010. At the end of the season, Grigsby was named a first-team All-American, and it quickly became clear that she was poised to take over as the Divas’ featured running back in 2011.

The Divas opened the 2011 season against the Boston Militia, and Grigsby faced many of the same players that had been on the field when she tore up her knee in Boston five years earlier. She made an immediate impact in her new role as the Divas’ primary running back. The Divas defeated the Militia, 35-20, breaking the Militia’s 20-game regular season winning streak. It was all thanks in large part to Grigsby, who set a franchise record with 243 rushing yards, including three touchdowns, in the win.

Grigsby called it the most memorable game of her career. “I don’t remember many stats, but I remember that one because Coach [Ezra] Cooper asked me before the game how many touchdowns I was going to score in the game, and I told him three touchdowns,” she recalled. “Then I ended up going out there and scoring three touchdowns! That’s why that game stands out so much to me.”

It was just the start of an amazing season for Kenyetta Grigsby. She topped 150 yards rushing three more times that season, finishing the year with 1,178 rushing yards, good for second in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) behind Jessica Springer of the Chicago Force. Grigsby also had 13 touchdowns on just 140 carries, and she was rewarded at the end of the year by winning the prestigious Posey Award from the Pigskin Club of Washington, DC, as the women’s football player of the year in the national capital region.

Sheer Dominance

The 2011 season proved that Grigsby was back to her Baltimore Burn form, and the Divas benefitted from her renaissance. She had another great season opener in 2012, rushing for 222 yards to open the season against the Pittsburgh Passion, but despite her effort, the Divas fell to Pittsburgh, 35-34. The victory by Pittsburgh gave the Passion a shot to clinch the division championship over the Divas later that season when the two teams met for a rematch on June 2, 2012.

Instead, the Divas regained control of their destiny in the division championship race, and Grigsby was the catalyst. The Divas and the Passion were tied with ten minutes remaining in the contest, 28-28. But Grigsby proved to be the pivotal player of the game in crunch time, breaking the game open with two rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion to lead the Divas to a 43-28 victory. She shattered two franchise records by carrying the ball 41 times for 264 rushing yards to give the Divas a critical division win.

Grigsby would go on to help the Divas clinch their ninth division title in team history two weeks later with a 42-0 victory in Columbus over the Comets. Kenyetta’s father, Kenny, came down from Detroit to watch his daughter play for the first time, and on the day before Father’s Day, Grigsby scored the first two touchdowns of the contest to put the game out of reach.

Grigsby again finished second in the WFA in rushing – this time behind Melissa Smith of the Chicago Force – with 1,052 yards on the season. She added 14 rushing touchdowns on the year and was named a first-team All-American for the third straight time.

After two terrific seasons, what could Kenyetta Grigsby possibly do for an encore? In the 2013 season opener, the Divas traveled to Pittsburgh as the Passion played their first game in newly-minted Highmark Stadium. Grigsby had set a franchise record with 264 yards in the Divas’ last trip to Pittsburgh, but this time, she topped herself again.

The Divas defeated the Passion to open the 2013 season, 42-31, thanks largely to a franchise-record 290 rushing yards from Grigsby. Her second of two touchdowns on the evening came with 7:15 remaining in the game and padded a four-point DC lead to put the game out of reach. Her magnificent performance earned her WFA Offensive Player of the Week honors from the league.

Grigsby always seems to save her best performances for her best competition. In the Divas’ second meeting with the Passion in 2013, she tied her own franchise record with 41 carries for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Grigsby rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries in a regular season meeting with the Boston Militia in 2013. She did even better in the playoffs, accounting for all five of the Divas’ touchdowns in their 58-34 playoff loss to the Militia to end last season.

“It is no coincidence that her best games have come against the best opponents. Kenyetta is one of the fiercest competitors I have ever been around,” Divas quarterback Allyson Hamlin observed. “Don’t be fooled by her quiet confidence, because on the field, ice is running through her veins. She thrives when the stakes are the highest.”

Including playoffs, Kenyetta Grigsby rushed for 1,408 yards in 2013, placing second in the WFA for the third straight year (this time behind Boston’s Whitney Zelee). Grigsby also added 23 rushing touchdowns for the year, a personal high. She became the first Diva ever with back-to-back-to-back thousand-yard rushing seasons, and she was named a first-team All-American for the fourth consecutive year.

Superstar Humility

From 2011-2013, Kenyetta Grigsby totaled 3,638 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. “Kenyetta is a once-in-a-lifetime back,” Hamlin declared. “She is a locomotive – powerful, fast, and fearless. Her vision of the field is exceptional, and she often makes something out of nothing.”

Allyson Hamlin, the winningest quarterback in women’s football history, credited Grigsby for allowing the Divas’ passing game to thrive. “Kenyetta is the kind of player that gives our offense the ability to do just about anything, and she forces opponents to completely change their defensive schemes,” Hamlin continued. “Kenyetta has given us a running game that has been so strong and consistent that our passing game has flourished, and because of that, we have evolved into a legitimate dual-threat offense.”

Yet Grigsby is humble about all of her success. “The stuff I’ve done on the field, I owe a lot of that to my offensive line and to the coaches. It’s not all just me. I owe the whole team,” she said.

Largely due to her incredible talent, the Divas have won four division championships and earned four playoff berths over the last four seasons. Grigsby has finally been rewarded in DC with the team success that so often eluded her in Baltimore.

“It has been an awesome experience. It’s great to be a part of this. Everything is better when you’re winning,” Grigsby admitted. But it’s clear to see what continues to motivate her. “I still want to win a national championship. That’s what my goal is,” Grigsby stated flatly.

Grigsby has some words of wisdom for the young women still coming up through the sport. “You need to work hard off the field. You need to spend time in the gym. You need to study the playbook and watch a lot of film,” Grigsby advised. “Work hard when no one’s looking. People see me at practice smiling and joking, but outside of practice, I’m constantly watching film and working out. I’m always just trying to get better.”

For Kenyetta Grigsby, the second act of her football career following her devastating knee injury in 2006 has been extremely rewarding, and the Divas have reaped those rewards. “The Divas organization is a lot different than any organization I’ve ever been a part of, and I truly appreciate that,” Grigsby said. “Family, friendship, team, hard work, dedication…I can’t sum up this organization in just one word. It’s all of that together. It’s been awesome.”

D.C. Divas Come Up Short in Season Opener, 36-32

Boston, MA – In one of the best rivalries in women’s football, the Boston Militia have had a decided edge lately over the D.C. Divas.

On Saturday night, the Militia maintained their upper hand in the series…but barely.

The Boston Militia (1-0) intercepted a pass by Divas quarterback Allyson Hamlin with 57 seconds remaining in the game to preserve a 36-32 victory. The D.C. Divas (0-1) lost their ninth straight game to the Militia, but almost all of their losses have been close, exciting, competitive contests.

This one could hardly have been closer.

Boston seemed to be easily in control of the game at the start. The Militia got on the board first with a long 48-yard touchdown run. After a muffed return on the following kickoff, the Divas quickly fumbled the ball to give Boston possession with great field position and a 6-0 lead.

Yet D.C. showed that 2014 would be a new season at that point. Safi Mojidi forced a Militia fumble which Desiree Abrams recovered for the Divas. The Divas defense forced a stop that seemed all too elusive in three games against the Militia last season, particularly in an 81-54 shootout loss in their last regular season meeting in Boston.

Then Kenyetta Grigsby got the Divas offense working. Grigsby, who missed most of that 81-54 defeat last season with an injury, was in excellent form early in this game, rushing 14 yards for the first D.C. touchdown of the year. Grigsby’s dash tied the game at 6-6 after one quarter of play.

Next, the Divas turned to their passing offense. The D.C. defense got the ball back for the offense, and Allyson Hamlin threw her first touchdown pass of the season to Kentrina Wilson, who made a spectacular catch and run over the goal line to give the visitors a 12-6 advantage.

Boston responded by going to their marquee player. On third and goal from the five-yard line, Militia quarterback Allison Cahill tossed a swing pass to Whitney Zelee, who took it five yards to the end zone. Zelee then rushed for the two-point conversion, and Boston led, 14-12.

It took the Divas about ten seconds to regain the lead. D’Ajah Scott ran the ensuing kickoff back through the entire Militia defense and into the end zone for a D.C. score. The Divas continued to flounder on their conversion attempts, coming up empty for a third time, but they still claimed an 18-14 lead.

In three meetings last season, Boston’s offensive game plan seldom shifted away from the running of Zelee, and it seldom had to. But with the Divas defense now doing a respectable job at times of slowing down Zelee, Boston was actually forced to turn to the air and throw the ball. The results weren’t pretty. Cahill was intercepted by D.C. defensive back Callie Brownson, who gave the Divas great field position in Boston territory.

With the Divas in possession of the ball and a four-point lead, Jenne Massie made a tremendous run inside the Boston red zone for a first down. But Massie’s run was negated by a penalty, which erased the first down and instead brought up third and 13. The Divas turned the ball over on downs, and Zelee, as she often does, made the Divas pay. Zelee scored her second touchdown of the game on a long run to put Boston ahead after a successful conversion, 22-18.

It was a disastrous end to the first half for D.C. The Divas advanced the ball to midfield on their next possession and faced a fourth and one with two minutes to go in the half. The Divas opted to throw a pass, which fell incomplete. Zelee stepped into the spotlight again, taking the ball to the house to extend Boston’s lead to 28-18 with 1:33 remaining before halftime.

The D.C. offense wasn’t done shooting itself in the foot. It turned the ball over on downs again with thirty seconds left in the half, and Boston drove down to the D.C. five-yard line in time for one last play. The Militia handed the ball to Zelee, but the D.C. defense stood tall and stopped her short of the goal line to keep the halftime deficit at ten, 28-18.

The Divas gave up consecutive touchdowns to end the first half and needed a goal line stand to keep it from getting worse. But any notion that the Divas might fold facing a ten-point deficit was completely dispelled as the third quarter began. D.C. once again took advantage of the Boston special teams by running back another kickoff for a touchdown. This time, the Divas finally converted the two-point play after the score, and just like that, D.C. had cut the Militia lead to 28-26.

The D.C. defense forced two consecutive punts from the Militia, and on their second punt, the Divas offense made them pay. Again it was Kentrina Wilson who made the big catch, snaring her second touchdown pass of the day to hand the Divas a 32-28 lead after three quarters.

Whitney Zelee would once again prove to be a Divas killer, scoring her fourth touchdown of the contest on a long run with10:28 left in the game. That would turn out to be the decisive score, as it staked the Militia to a 36-32 lead.

The usually explosive Divas offense had three opportunities to score and regain control of the game, but the Militia defense forced three turnovers on downs to seal a narrow victory for Boston. On the final D.C. possession, Hamlin threw an interception deep in Boston territory with under a minute to play as the Militia escaped with a win.

The Militia improved their home winning streak to 23 games, having not lost at home since being defeated by the Divas in the 2009 Eastern Conference championship game. The Divas, meanwhile, proved that they have enough to play Boston to the wire but are still searching for that elusive win over their bitter rivals.

The Divas next take the field for their home opener on April 19, when they will face the reigning national champion Chicago Force.

D.C. DIVAS SEASON OPENER APRIL 5TH

Washington, DC - The D.C. Divas women's full-contact football team commences their 14th season Saturday evening, when they travel to Boston, Massachusetts, to take on the Boston Militia.  The Divas are ranked #3 in the Women's Football Alliance going into the 2014 season but will face a stiff challenge on April 5thfrom the second-ranked Militia.  D.C. and Boston have one of the fiercest rivalries in women's football, with the two teams meeting in the playoffs each of the last five seasons. The Divas are 93-31 after 13 seasons and have won 10 of the last 11 division championships, 2 Eastern conference championships and 1 Super Bowl title. This year's team also features 4 Gold medal winners from the world championship TEAM USA squad.

JOIN THE 2014 D.C. DIVAS

Join the 2014 D.C. Divas! Women’s Full Contact Football WHO The D.C. Divas women’s tackle football team is looking for female athletes at least 18 years old who are interested in the competitive, educational, and athletic opportunity of a lifetime. Tryouts consist of a series of drills designed to evaluate your overall athletic conditioning. Football experience is a plus but none is required. You must turn 18 by April 2014 to be eligible to tryout. WHEN The first tryout will be on Saturday, September 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Registration will begin at 9:00 am. WHERE Location: Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Rd., Landover, MD 20785. BRING Additional tryouts and locations will be announced shortly. For all tryouts: 1. Sneakers/athletic shoes are required. Bring turf cleats if you have them. 2. Please wear black shorts and white t-shirts with no lettering, if possible. 3. Proof of health insurance is required. 4. Cost: is $35 cash. Call Rich Daniel, D.C. Divas General Manager, at 301-573-4260 with any questions you may have.

The D.C. Divas finish their season as division champions for the 10th time

Militia End Divas’ Season for Fourth Straight Time, 58-34
Neal Rozendaal

Boston, MA – Over nearly three quarters, the DC Divas and Boston Militia were locked in a close, thrilling contest. But the fourth quarter is where champions are made, and on this night, the fourth quarter belonged to Boston.

The Boston Militia scored three unanswered touchdowns to break open a 36-34 game late in the third quarter and outlasted the DC Divas, 58-34. Boston advanced to the conference championship game for the fifth straight season, while the Divas suffered their fourth consecutive playoff loss at the hands of the Militia.

This game pitted the Divas’ balanced, methodical offense against Boston’s explosive, quick strike rushing attack. The differences were apparent from the start of the game. The Divas (6-4) received the opening kickoff and drained over seven minutes of game time on a long drive that concluded with a three-yard touchdown run by Kenyetta Grigsby.

Trailing 7-0, the Militia (10-0) tied the score just 24 seconds later. Whitney Zelee took the ball on the first play from scrimmage and dashed over half the length of the field for a quick touchdown.

The Boston Militia defense then made a big play, gaining their only interception of the game on a pass from Divas quarterback Allyson Hamlin. Boston took over at midfield and drove into DC territory. Although the DC defense forced Boston into a third and goal situation, Boston quarterback Alison Cahill converted for the Militia with a ten-yard touchdown run, and a successful two-point conversion try staked Boston to a 15-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

DC put together another long scoring drive, with Grigsby rushing into the end zone from three yards out to cut the deficit to 15-14. Boston struck quickly again, taking just 76 seconds to push the lead back to eight points on a Cahill seven-yard scoring run.

Grigsby, the Divas’ offensive star, rushed for her third touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter. Her 18-yard sprint to the end zone put the Divas within one point at 22-21. The Divas’ special teams then made their first big play of the game, recovering an onside kick to give the DC offense another opportunity.

Grigsby took advantage, making another long run to the end zone, her fourth of the game, with 3:27 remaining in the half. The Divas regained the lead, 28-22.

But the Boston offense responded to the challenge. On fourth down, Zelee broke free on a long run for her second touchdown of the game, handing the Militia a 29-28 advantage with under two minutes remaining before halftime. Neither offense was able to make a serious scoring threat as the half came to a close, and the teams went to the locker room with Boston clinging to a one-point lead.

Cahill opened the third quarter with her third touchdown run of the game, padding Boston’s lead to 36-28. The Divas came back with another long drive – this time consuming over six minutes of game time – and Grigsby rushed for her fifth touchdown of the night. The extra point was blocked, but DC had slashed the deficit to 36-34.

Boston then made their second special teams miscue of the contest, fumbling the kickoff return and giving the Divas possession around midfield. DC had the ball with under six minutes left in the third quarter and an opportunity to potentially take the lead. But Grigsby coughed up a rare fumble, and Boston regained possession in their own territory.

Zelee made the Divas pay for their mistake, zipping to the end zone for a long touchdown run late in the third quarter. With a successful two-point conversion, the Militia led, 44-34.

For three quarters, the DC offense had been spectacular, but it stalled in the fourth period as the Divas pressed for quick scores. The Divas turned the ball over on downs on their next three possessions, while Boston’s offense was unfailing. A fullback rush for a touchdown with under ten minutes to go gave Boston a 51-34 advantage, and Cahill logged her fourth rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the final points of the game.

Boston will move on to play the Chicago Force in the Eastern Conference championship game next week. The Divas, meanwhile, end their season with a 6-4 record, including three losses to the Militia. The Divas have lost 11 of their last 12 meetings with Boston over the past four years, while compiling a 24-3 record against all other opponents. The Divas are one of the strongest teams in women’s football, not only in the Northeast but across the entire country.

But for this season at least, the crown in the Northeast goes to Boston once again.

(Womens Football Alliance) The final 8 becomes 4 tomorrow

You can view the the game at 6pm EST on US Sports Network

Take Five: DC Divas Meet Boston Militia in Eastern Conference Semifinals on July 13th
Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – When you watch the DC Divas and Boston Militia square off on the football field, there’s a good chance you’ll see something unprecedented in the sport of women’s football. Saturday will be no different.

For the fifth straight year, the DC Divas and Boston Militia will face off in the playoffs when the Divas travel to Dilboy Stadium Saturday; no other pair of women’s football teams has ever met in the playoffs more than three seasons in a row. In addition, this fifth playoff meeting between the Divas and Militia will tie the all-time record for playoff games between two teams, which is currently held by the Sacramento Sirens and Seattle Majestics (who met in the playoffs in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2012).

The Divas defeated the Militia in 2009 for the Eastern Conference championship to advance to their second national title game. But DC has been eliminated from the playoffs by Boston in each of the last three seasons, with the Militia capturing national championships in 2010 and 2011. The Boston Militia have made the playoffs five times in franchise history, and each and every time, the Divas have been there to provide opposition.

When these two teams last played, they combined to score 135 points, the highest scoring game in women’s football history. Not surprisingly, Divas head coach Alison Fischer doesn’t expect too many changes from Boston’s offense this time around.

“We expect Boston to have the same game plan and run the same kind of plays they always do,” Fischer remarked. “They execute very well, and they’re very efficient. They pretty much just challenge you to stop what they’re doing. Their offensive line blocks extremely well, and Whitney Zelee runs hard. She’s a tough runner to bring down once she gets past the line of scrimmage.”

On the other hand, Fischer doesn’t want to make too many changes to her team’s offense, either. “We have the potential to be very explosive offensively, and we’ve shown that at times,” Fischer said. “We want to do the same thing as Boston – execute well and stay with the things we do best. We have to stick to our game plan, too.”

The WFA playoffs have taken a three-week hiatus while the IFAF Women’s World Championship was being held, and as always, the time off is a dual-edged sword. “The break is always good to heal when you have folks with injuries,” Fischer acknowledged. “Breaks always concern me, though, because you do have a tendency to get sluggish. But I think we’ve looked pretty fresh this week, so I feel good about that.”

The northeast has always been a strong region for American women’s football, and the winner of Saturday’s game will claim regional supremacy for the 2013 season. For the ninth time in franchise history, the DC Divas have an opportunity to play for a berth in a conference championship game, and a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference championship is one that isn’t lost on Fischer.

“This is a huge game. We’ve been here so frequently that some people probably take it for granted, but there are only eight teams left,” she concluded. “There are a lot of outstanding football teams on the East Coast and that makes it rough over the course of a season. But we’re a very good team, and if we play well, we’ll be successful.”

Most Consecutive Playoff Meetings in Women’s Football, All-Time
DC DIVAS-BOSTON MILITIA – 5 (2009-2013)
New York Sharks-Atlanta Xplosion – 3 (2005-2007)
Dallas Diamonds-Houston Energy – 3 (2004-2006)
Dallas Diamonds-So Cal Scorpions – 3 (2004-2006)
Sacramento Sirens-Seattle Majestics – 3 (2003-2005)
Oklahoma City Lightning-Pensacola Power – 3 (2003-2005)

TEAM USA GOLD MEDAL RECAP

TEAM USA WINS GOLD, Defeats Canada in IFAF World Championship  

Vantaa, Finland. The US Women's tackle football team has won gold again, with a stunning
display of gridiron dominance that left all viewers and participants in a state of shock and awe.
The US women's team took the tournament by storm with record-setting defeats of Sweden (84-0) and
Germany (107-7) in pool play, followed by a 64-0 thrashing of Canada in the gold medal game.

The U.S. wasted no time against Canada, with Mia Brickhouse scoring on a 3 yard rush on the initial
possession. The scoring was fast and furious throughout, with six US players reaching the end zone.
Odessa Jenkins, Donna Wilkinson, Jeanette Gray, Adrienne Smith and Liz Sowers each scored a touchdown.
Running back Mia Brickhouse had four touchdowns, all on short yardage power sets. The U.S. team averaged
almost 9 yards a carry and were clearly winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. Offensive linewoman
Jamie Menzyk was named the game day MVP for opening running lanes with an assortment of pancake blocks. 

The US defense held the Canadians to just 56 yards of total offense, and in fact only allowed an average
of 44 yards per game throughout the tournament. In addition, the U.S. defense created 13 turnovers for the
tournament, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Leading tacklers in the gold medal game were
Vicky Eddy, Jennifer Plummer, Danielle Golay, Katie Sowers and Kim Marks.

American quarterbacks Sami Grisafe and Karen Mulligan combined for 23 completions in 28 attempts and
367 passing yards. There were three touchdown passes, all thrown by Grisafe who was named the overall
tournament MVP for her outstanding play throughout. Her three-game tournament total was 626 passing
yards, nine touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.

Head Coach John Konecki has now led the U.S. team to two successive gold medals. "These women are amongst
the best players in the world at their respective positions. It has been a privilege for me to coach
athletes of this caliber. I couldn't be more proud of my team than I am right now," said Konecki, his
voice cracking with emotion just moments after the win.

This is the second International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship,
with the U.S. also claiming gold in the 2010 inaugural event held in Stockholm, Sweden. This 2013
American team was again the favorite to win the gold, however no one could have anticipated they would
attain such a staggering margin of victory throughout by scoring 255 points in three games while
yielding just a single touchdown to the German team.

The forty-five women on Team USA were selected at tryouts held by USA Football and represent the
top players in the sport of women's tackle football. The American squad is recognized as such
internationally and have become ambassadors of the sport worldwide. The U.S. team will return home
tomorrow afternoon wearing gold medals and with the championship trophy in tow.

Stats and additional  tournament info is available at wwc2013.com.

TEAM USA Defeats Germany, Advances to Championship

Vantaa, Finland. The defending champion USA women's tackle football team secured
a return to the gold medal final by dominating Germany in a 107-7 victory today in
the Women's World Championship.

The U.S. squad (2-0) entered the stadium to patriotic chants of U-S-A while enthusiastically
waving an American flag. They were clearly thrilled to be representing their country on the
anniversary of its creation.

Sharon Vasquez received the opening kickoff for the U.S. and returned it to Germany's 36 yard line.
On the 3rd play from scrimmage quarterback Sami Grisafe connected with Jeanette Gray on a 31 yard
touchdown pass. The successful two point conversion gave the U.S. an 8-0 lead.

Germany then returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to midfield and picked up another 15 yards on an
American penalty. Germany then stunned the U.S. by scoring a 34 yard rushing touchdown on their
first play from scrimmage. The extra point kick was good and the Germans pulled to 8-7 just minutes
into the first quarter.

This is the first time in history that Team USA had been scored upon in the international competition.
The U.S. team responded with a furious onslaught, scoring touchdowns on each of their next eight
first half possessions, to lead 60-7 at halftime. The Germans were never able to mount another scoring
threat, gaining just 44 total yards of offense in the game.

The U.S. scoring barrage continued in the second half, as ultimately 10 players had touchdowns for
Team USA. Odessa Jenkins(3), Brandy Hatcher(2), Cassey Brick(2), Katie Sowers(2) had multiple scores
and Kim Klesse, Adrienne Smith, Alexis Snyder, Jeanette Gray, Nicole Vilarino and Liz Sowers had a
touchdown each.

The U.S. offense kept Germany on their heels with a variety of offensive sets and formations. The
German team struggled to adjust as the Americans shifted constantly from a spread offense to a
power attack, while intermittently utilizing a no-huddle approach.

Team USA defensive back Katie Sowers had 5 interceptions and returned two for touchdowns, earning her
MVP honors for the game. Leading tacklers for the U.S. were Jennifer Plummer, Vicky Eddy, and Andreana
Campolo.

The American team had won the inaugural 2010 competition by outscoring their opponents 201-0 enroute to
a gold medal. This 2013 team has secured its own place in history by setting a new scoring record of 107
points.

U.S. Head Coach John Konecki has his team peaking at the right time. The offense was explosive and
operated with stunning precision while amassing 597 yards of total offense. Defensive Coordinator
Adam Lewandowski is the architect of the smothering U.S. defense which has forced 12 turnovers in the
past two games while holding both opponents to less than a hundred yards of combined total offense.

Team USA will play the winner of Canada/Finland for the gold medal in the World Championship on
Saturday July 6th at 7pm local time at ISS Stadium. Additional info and live updates are available at
wwc2013.com.

All games are webcast live in English and Finnish at:http://www.wwc2013.com/wwctv/

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D.C. Divas Football

The Divas have defeated Columbus and we are on are way to Boston for the next round of playoffs on July 13.
There is still time to help your favorite players and the team with a donation to our travel fund. Thanks for your continued support!

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-Let us at US Sports Network do our part too. 10% of all proceeds for all new members of GoPro Workouts will be donated to the D.C. Divas Travel fund between now and July 10, 2013.  So as you are getting in shape for next season, you will also be lending a helping hand to the real first ladies of football! Click here to get your program and support your Divas!

Divas win a record 10th division title

Perfect 10: Divas Clinch Division Title With 42-20 Victory 
Neal Rozendaal

Landover, MD – In a season filled with ups and downs, this game was one to remember.

Using perhaps their most balanced offensive attack this season, the DC Divas defeated the Columbus Comets, 42-20, to secure their fifth consecutive division championship. The division title is the Divas’ tenth overall in franchise history, tying them with the Sacramento Sirens for the most division championships in the history of women’s professional football.

As they have in several games this season, the Divas (5-3) got off to a slow start against Columbus. On the Comets’ first offensive possession, running back Shelley Gates carried the ball four consecutive times, going over the goal line on her final carry from two yards away. Columbus quarterback Crystal Davis then completed a pass for the two-point conversion, putting the Comets ahead, 8-0.

D’Ajah Scott helped turn things around by returning the ensuing kickoff to the Comets’ 44-yard line. The Divas then called on their top two running backs – Kenyetta Grigsby and Donna Wilkinson. Five straight runs by Grigsby and Wilkinson got the Divas on the scoreboard, with Wilkinson doing the honors by running into the end zone from two yards out. Wilkinson ended the game with 81 total yards and one touchdown, which cut the Comets’ lead to one point, 8-7.

The Comets (5-4) consumed over eight minutes of clock on their next possession, running out most of the first quarter. Although they failed to score, they pinned the Divas deep in their own territory with a punt, which led to a three and out for DC. The Comets got the ball back with great field position at the Divas’ 32-yard line.

But the Divas defense made a critical stop on Columbus’ next drive, capped by Cherre Marshall’s eight-yard sack of Crystal Davis on fourth down. Three plays later, Grigsby broke through the Comets’ resistance and raced 36 yards for a DC touchdown, giving the Divas their first lead of the game at 14-8.

Columbus put together another nice drive, advancing all the way to the Divas’ 27-yard line. But Callie Brownson swatted down a pass from Davis on fourth and eight, and the Divas regained possession. With time running out in the first half, Grigsby and Wilkinson got the call again, and both responded with huge rushing gains. Grigsby polished off the drive by plunging over the goal line from three yards out; Grigsby finished the game with 132 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Her second touchdown gave the Divas a 21-8 advantage, which was the score they carried into halftime.

The Divas took to the air in the third quarter. Quarterback Allyson Hamlin hit Kasee Hilliard for a twenty-yard touchdown strike on DC’s first possession of the second half; Hilliard caught the ball at the ten-yard line, juked a Columbus defender, and raced for the end zone to stake the Divas to a 28-8 lead.

The Comets countered with their second touchdown of the game to make the score 28-14, but the Divas got those points right back. Hamlin threw her second touchdown of the contest to Juliette Baker-Brice for a ten-yard score; Hamlin finished the game with eight completions on 14 attempts for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Hamlin’s second touchdown pass of the game pushed the lead back out to 35-14 as the third quarter expired.

Nikieva Perry scored the final touchdown of the Divas’ 2013 regular season, rushing into the end zone for a nine-yard score midway through the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 42-14. Davis threw her second touchdown pass with 29 seconds remaining to make the final score 42-20.

The Divas offense spread the ball around. Arica Walker, Elise Pittman, and Stacy Bruce joined Grigsby, Wilkinson, and Perry with rushing attempts. With the Divas playing their second straight game without Ashley Whisonant, Hamlin spread the ball around to several receivers, including Baker-Brice, Hilliard, Lakia Barber, and Melissa Mitchell.

Defensively, the Divas were led by Cherre Marshall, who logged eight tackles and two sacks. Melissa Washington recorded 5.5 tackles and a sack, while D’Ajah Scott also collected 5.5 tackles. Devon Goldsmith chipped in with 3.5 tackles, and Trigger McNair and Eleni Kostis added three tackles apiece.

With the victory over the Comets, the Divas clinched their tenth division title in franchise history, tying the record now shared by the Sacramento Sirens. The DC Divas also earned a first round bye in the WFA playoffs, which start next week. The Divas will have next week off before hosting a conference quarterfinal playoff game in Landover onJune 22.

A 10th division title will come down to the last week of the regular season

Divas Keep Division Title Hopes Alive Despite 36-27 Setback

Neal Rozendaal

Landover, MD – If there is such a thing as a bittersweet defeat, this is it.

Pittsburgh quarterback Lisa Horton threw four touchdown passes, and the Passion sent the DC Divas down to defeat, 36-27. However, the Divas earned a moral victory, playing Pittsburgh within eleven points and retaining control of their own destiny in their quest to win the division championship.

Horton got Pittsburgh (5-2) on the scoreboard first, completing a 46-yard touchdown pass on third and ten for a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Divas immediately responded, with star running back Kenyetta Grigsby bulling into the end zone from five yards out to knot the score at seven.

It took the Passion just 36 seconds to retake the lead for good. Horton threw her second touchdown pass of the quarter – this one to her standout receiver, Rachel Wojdowski – and Pittsburgh surged back ahead, 14-7, after one quarter.

The Divas (4-3) struggled on offense in the second quarter, in large part due to the absence of 2011 WFA wide receiver Ashley Whisonant. Whisonant – who set a franchise record with five touchdown receptions two weeks ago – was forced to miss the game due to work commitments with her day job as a Alexandria, Va. firefighter.

DC’s offense stalled on their first possession of the second quarter, and the Divas then failed to get the punt away, which gave the Passion great field position. Although the Divas’ defense stopped Pittsburgh short of the end zone, the Passion drilled a 26-yard field goal to pad their lead to 17-7.

Divas defensive back Callie Brownson, who will be representing Team USA at the IFAF Women’s World Championship next month, intercepted a Horton pass on Pittsburgh’s next possession to hand the ball back to the Divas’ offense. But Wojdowski – playing on both sides of the ball – topped that; she picked off a pass from Divas’ quarterback Allyson Hamlin and returned it 37 yards for another Pittsburgh score.

Trailing 24-7, the Divas tried to mount a scoring drive as the half drew to a close and advanced all the way to the Pittsburgh 19-yard line. But they would get no closer, and time expired on the half before the Divas could cut into the Passion’s 17-point advantage.

With Whisonant out of the lineup, the Divas turned almost exclusively to the running game in the second half. Even though Pittsburgh’s top-rated defense was stacking the line of scrimmage and trying to slow the Divas’ running attack, Kenyetta Grigsby rose to the occasion and blasted the Passion defense for long gains. When Grigsby needed a break, Donna Wilkinson took the ball. The versatile Wilkinson, who has played tight end and running back this season, lined up at fullback and paired with Grigsby for a strong 1-2 running attack.

Kenyetta Grigsby dashed for a 31-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the second half to cut the deficit to 24-14. Elena Kotsis then picked off a Horton pass midway through the quarter to give the DC defense their second interception of the game. Still, Horton bounced back by connecting with Wojdowski on a 27-yard touchdown pass to push the lead out to 30-14.

Grigsby stepped up again, racing 26 yards for another DC score and pulling the Divas within 30-21. Grigsby missed most of the Divas’ previous game two weeks ago with an injury, but she returned to star form on Saturday, carrying the ball an astonishing 41 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Wilkinson chipped in with 15 carries for 66 yards.

As the fourth quarter began, the Divas forced an incomplete pass from Horton on fourth down to get a turnover on downs. The DC offense then began a long, methodical drive to the end zone, capped by Hamlin’s quarterback sneak on fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Hamlin’s one-yard touchdown run cut the Pittsburgh lead to 30-27. With the Divas playing without their top wide receiver and relying almost exclusively on the run, Allyson Hamlin was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this year.

The Divas’ defense played inspired football in the second half. Trigger McNair led the defense with six tackles, while Kotsis and Brownson recorded five tackles and one interception each. Keyed by a Devon Goldsmith sack and two incomplete Horton passes, the Divas forced a Pittsburgh punt late in the fourth quarter and gave the team a chance to take their first lead of the game.

Even with time running off of the clock, the Divas continued to rely on the running attack that had brought them within three points. Three runs for nine yards led to a fourth and one at the Pittsburgh 41-yard line with just under two minutes remaining in the game. But a failed quarterback sneak from Hamlin lost a yard and gave Pittsburgh the ball back with 1:13 left in the contest, effectively sealing the Divas’ defeat.

Yet the game wasn’t over. Earlier this season, the Divas defeated the Passion by 11 points, so Pittsburgh knew that winning by less than 11 would allow the Divas to retain control over their own destiny in the division race. Rather than take a knee and run out the clock with the victory all but secure, Pittsburgh had no choice but to throw the ball down the field and try to tally another score despite holding a 30-27 advantage.

The Passion succeeded, and it only took them 44 seconds to do so. With 29 seconds left, Horton threw her fourth touchdown pass of the game to increase the lead to 36-27. Pittsburgh was compelled to go for a two-point conversion and an eleven-point lead, but Horton’s pass in the end zone was batted down incomplete, keeping the Divas within nine points.

Pittsburgh, still needing more points, then attempted an onside kick, but the ball rolled out of bounds and the Divas took over possession. The Divas ran out the clock and absorbed a 36-27 defeat.

Holding the Passion to a nine-point margin was a moral victory for the Divas, because they still control their own destiny in the division race. By virtue of their 11-point victory over Pittsburgh earlier this season, the Divas hold the tiebreaker over the Passion despite Saturday’s nine-point defeat. A win over Columbus next week in the regular season finale will clinch the Divas’ tenth division championship in franchise history and secure a first-round bye in the WFA playoffs.

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