Michelle Latimer Attends NCAA Women's Coaches Academy

BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University head cross country / track and field coach Michelle Latimer attended the highly selective NCAA Women's Coaches Academy, held June 24-28 in Atlanta, Ga.

The NCAA Women's Coaches Academy is designed for women coaches who want to strengthen and improve their professional and team success. It provides skills training for coaches at all levels, to assist them in being more efficient in their usefulness of resources, their productivity in the quality of play they coach and ultimately more successful in their respective sport(s).

Latimer was appointed head coach of the women and men’s Cross Country / Track and Field teams in 2006, and under her leadership the program has flourished. Prior to joining the BSU family in 2004, Latimer served as Head Track & Field Coach of Division III Trinity College (Washington, D.C.) for two seasons.  Under Latimer’s direction, Trinity placed third overall in the conference in its inaugural 2002 season. Coach Latimer's focus is on the student-athlete, with an emphasis on the student. Academics are the number one priority.

Personal accolades for Latimore include USTFCCCA (Southeast Region) Indoor Coach of the Year (2007-2998), CIAA Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year (2008-2009) and CIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year (2009).

In 2009 Bowie State’s women and men’s Cross Country teams captured the conference Cross Country title, placed second (women and men) in the CIAA Indoor Championships three straight seasons (2008-2010) and finished as the conference Runner-Up at the CIAA Outdoor Championships (2009) on both the women and men’s side. Coach Latimer and her staff have produced 27 NCAA All-Americans and three NCAA Athletes of Year.

LIVESTRONG Fitness Releases new Mission Statement

LIVESTRONG Fitness is part of Johnson Health Tech (JHT), a name synonymous with quality fitness solutions for more than 30 years. Their commitment to product innovation, superior value and unmatched customer service has made JHT a leading provider of high-quality home and commercial fitness equipment around the world. In addition, Johnson Health Tech is a proud partner of the LIVESTRONG Foundation in the fight against cancer. Each purchase ensures that a minimum of $4 million will go to the LIVESTRONG - Foundation to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

Destroy Cancer Naturally in 40 Days     Ancient Chinese medicine is bringing renewed hope to cancer sufferers, all thanks to an herb called thunder god vine. For starters, this herb may make it possible to purge tumors from the body without resorting to chemotherapy or other intense interventions.     On top of that, early evidence shows thunder god vine could be particularly effective in hindering the growth of pancreatic, colorectal, and ovarian cancers, among others. Continued below... The One Word every cancer patient must know     Your doctor's reading the results, you know it's the worst news, and you snap out of it just in time to hear him say...     "I'm going to recommend an aggressive chemotherapy regimen."     That's when you say one word that sucks the air out of the entire doctor's office.     It's a new cancer therapy that doctors are whispering about behind closed doors...and doctors will be stunned you know about it.     $4 billion has already been spent researching it--making it one of the largest research initiatives in medical history.     And the results are powerful--Tumor shrinkage in 86% of lung cancer patients.     Once "incurable" brain tumors put on hold. And these revelations are already rushing 374 clinical trials into hospitals.     But you can't call this new hope therapy "aggressive" like chemo, because there is no poison, there are no toxins.     In fact, this therapy could have you alive and thriving.     Find out the one word that will have your doctor asking, "how did you hear about this?" How this natural remedy quickly slays cancer     The thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) is native to Japan, Korea, and China. For more than 400 years, those cultures have celebrated the healing properties of the plant, which include anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive benefits.     The vine itself is a handsome perennial plant with small, white flowers. To get to the healing compounds, extracts are prepared from the skinned root of the thunder god vine. The leaves, flowers, and skin of the root are intensely poisonous and can cause death if eaten.     Known as "lei gong teng" in Mandarin, this plant's skinned root has an uncanny ability to stop cancer in its tracks after as little as forty days of use. The speed and efficiency with which it appears to destroy tumors has stunned Western researchers.     The healing secret of thunder god vine lies in triptolide, an active compound with anti-cancer properties. Heavy doses of this compound are responsible for the vine's therapeutic success. Triptolide appears to work by halting the production of RNA in cancerous cells, meaning the cancer cannot spread. Researchers were shocked by its cancer-killing power     At the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, researchers were shocked to find how effectively thunder god vine reduced the incidence of tumors in mice. Even after other treatments were stopped, thunder god vine appeared to fully eliminate the tumors.     Similar results were found at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, where extracts of thunder god vine were used to eliminate tumors. A professor involved in the research reported that even small extracts of the plant appeared to be effective in halting growth of all 60 of the cancer cell lines tested, and that in some cases the cell lines completely died off.     Because early studies with mice appear so promising, human clinical trials are expected to begin in the near future. Clinical trials in pancreatic cancer, known for being a virtual death sentence, will likely begin first.     The only known downside is that side effects can be severe. They include a loss of bone density, infertility problems, hair loss, menstrual changes, and headache. Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, indigestion, and nausea have also been reported. Some of those side effects sound serious, and I would like to know more.     For this reason, the treatment should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, and unfortunately I can give you no guidance on finding one. I hope that some of the cancer doctors who read this publication will see this article and consider incorporating thunder god vine into their protocols. For now, a qualified practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine would be the most likely source of knowledge and clinical experience with actual patients.     If you're in the U.S., it can be a challenge to get consistent, high-quality thunder god vine products. You may be able to get them directly from China, but be warned there's no process for verifying their safety or efficacy. Harness the power of this herb while you can still get it cheap     Along with being such a potent cancer-killer, early evidence shows autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis also respond well to treatment with thunder god vine. It's a potential wonder drug.     All this is terrific news, as is the fact that thunder god vine treatment is quite inexpensive. But be warned, with big dollars being poured into research on this herb, somebody down the line will undoubtedly come up with a triptolide drug that requires FDA approval and can be protected by patent. Needless to say, that means this low-cost, extremely effective treatment will be turned into an expensive merger between greed and healthcare.     The unpatented herb will still be available (I hope), but patients will be under pressure to use the pharmaceutical version.     In fact, the researchers from the University of Minnesota have already isolated a highly water-soluble form of triptolide and dubbed it minnelide, a combo-word of Minnesota and triptolide. They are in talks with the Food and Drug Administration and are currently preparing to launch a Phase I trial.     Meanwhile, let's hope research on the natural form continues and an increasing number of doctors and patients begin to try it, thereby adding to our knowledge of this exciting discovery (and its side effects).

Big Train Bats Blast Braves! ASG Tonight at Povich; BT Fan on a Mission

Big Train Bats Blast Braves, Head into Break at 25-7   The Big Train traveled to Herndon on Tuesday to take on the FCA Herndon Braves. Riding a five-game winning streak, the team was looking to go into the All-Star Break on a high note. | Box Score: W, 11-4 Brock Larson (San Francisco) started for the Big Train, and gave up three runs (two earned) in four innings on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. The Braves got on the board first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. However, the Big Train would respond quickly. In the top of the third inning, a great bunt by David Del Grande (Sacramento St.) forced an error that allowed Mike Miedzianowski (High Point) to score for the Big Train. An RBI single by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) and a sacrifice fly by Ty France (San Diego State) pushed across two more runs, suddenly turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for Bethesda. In the fourth inning, Tim Yandel (Tulane) crossed the plate for the Big Train after reaching on a single and stealing a base, to extend the lead to 4-2. The Braves got one run back in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 4-3, but the Big Train continued to score. Kit Scheetz (Virginia Tech) - pictured above - came in to relieve Larson in the bottom of the fifth, and pitched a scoreless inning out of the gate, setting up the Big Train offense to start pulling away. The bats did just that in the following innings, scoring runs seven runs in the last four innings. In the sixth, RBIs from Wernicki and Tucker Tobin (George Mason) added some cushion to the Big Train lead, extending it to 6-3. A mammoth home run by Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) made the score 7-3 before RBI walks by Cole and Yandel extended the lead to 9-3 in the eighth. The offense continued to pad the lead in the ninth, as RBIs from France andRyne Willard (Tallahassee CC) made the score 11-3. The lead would prove insurmountable for the Braves, as they plated just one run in the bottom half of the ninth inning. The Big Train enter the All-Star Break with a 25-7 record and hold a five-game lead over the Gaithersburg Giants for first place in the CRCBL. The Big Train will host the CRCBL All-Star Game on Wednesday at Povich Field! There will be six players representing the Big Train in the mid-summer classic, so come on out to see the best that the league has to offer! The All-Star Game begins at7:30 with the Home Run Derby preceding it at 5:00. After Wednesday's All-Star Game, Bethesda will play 12 more regular season games before the playoffs start at the end of July. The next Big Train home game is on Thursday against the Presstman Cardinals on Carnival Night. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.  The next Big Train home game is on Thursday against the Presstman Cardinals on Carnival Night. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.  Man Behind Big Train Name on a Mission The Gazette Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Bethesda man caps off visits to baseball stadiums, By Kent Zakour For most of Glenn Orlin's life, baseball has been an integral part of it. His passion for the game goes well beyond cheering for his favorite team, the Washington Nationals. The 1969 Wheaton High School graduate owns an impressive amount of baseball caps that's he picked up touring the country. In the basement of his Bethesda home on wooden display cases, Orlin has a collection of 313 hats, representing every single Major League team in the country and nearly every minor league affiliate in the United States and Canada. Since 1985, Orlin has made it his lifelong goal to attend every professional ballpark in North America. "They've got to be fitted hats and I try to get the home version of the hat," said Orlin, who wears a size 7 5/8 or 7 3/4 hat. He also has a program and scorecard from every stadium as well as several other random souvenirs, ranging from seat cushions to bobblehead figurines to soda cups. Orlin's quest began in 1985 and he's traveled with his good friend Bob Simpson, his wife, Lena, or by himself since. He's received inspiration from his family and friends as well as Bob Wood's book "Dodger Dogs to Fenway Franks," a story about the author's trek to all of the Major League Baseball stadiums during the 1985 season. "He's a great guy," Bethesda Big Train co-founder Bruce Adams said during an interview before a game last month. Orlin, who serves as the Big Train's official scorer in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, occasionally brings back souvenirs for Adams from his trips. "I'm a little jealous of his excursions." Orlin, who is the Deputy Administrator of the Montgomery County Council, has also started a collection of scarves representing various soccer clubs from around the world. "Growing up, my dad took me to games and then I was away from baseball for a little bit," Orlin said. "In the summer of 1985 my friends and I were thinking about a place to go on a summer weekend and we said, "Let's go to Philly." So we saw a [Philadelphia Phillies] game at old Veterans Stadium on a hot day with miserable seats, but we still had a great time. "I heard about [Wood's trip] and I said, 'Eh. That sounds fun.' A couple years later we went to a Hagerstown Suns game and loved it. It was the perfect Minor League experience. .. It was genuine and I decided I was also going to go to every minor league ballpark. I knew it might take my entire life, but I was going to do it." Orlin's travels peaked in the early 1990s when he made seven or eight trips per summer to see approximately 30 stadiums a year. As of 2004, he had accomplished his goal. Now, because of new teams or old stadiums getting replaced or renovated, he has a handful of cities and towns to return to and he wants to add teams based in Mexico. He keeps track of his travels on a map in his office with different sized and color-coded pins. "On weekends, I would drive to South Carolina and see a game Saturday night and spend the night in a hotel. I would then go to another game Sundayafternoon and then one Sunday night. I would then get home just in time for work." As stadiums became checked off his list and the distance between destinations grew, it became difficult to plan trips in the Midwest and West. "My wife likes going on these trips and [Simpson] wants to drive every U.S. route and see every national park and monument," Orlin said. "We've done a lot of day driving for that and then at night go see a game I needed to." At every ballpark - particularly the minor league locations - Orlin, who likes to sit behind the first or third baseline in the lower level in the shade, makes it a point to soak in each stadium's ambiance. "Ballparks have a lot of things and it's a fun atmosphere for the kids," Orlin said. "To me, I like it, but it gets kind of old when you go to so many. I'm more interested in the ballpark architecture. "You want to sit somewhere where you can overhear conversations. It gives you the local flavor of the area, particularly in the Northeast and South. Where else can you go in a small town and get a sense of a place in just one night? A ballpark!"

Big Train's Big Arms Neutralize Nats' Bats; BT Players in Pro Ball!

Big Train's Big Arms Neutralize Nats' Bats; Win Fourth Game in Two Days The Big Train traveled to Waldorf, Maryland on Monday night to take on the Southern Maryland Nationals in a doubleheader at Regency Furniture Stadium. Box Scores: Game 1: W, 2-0 | Game 2: W, 9-1 In the first game, Danny Mooney (Davidson) got the start for the Big Train. Mooney pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout, giving up seven hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Big Train got their first run in the top of the third, as an RBI single byRyan Willard (Tallahassee CC) - pictured above - scored Ty France (San Diego St.). Willard himself scored in the top of the fifth, giving the Big Train the 2-0 lead. With Mooney pitching a shutout, the two runs were more than enough to get the victory, as the Big Train won 2-0. Bubba Derby (San Diego State) started for the Big Train in the second game and gave the team five shutout innings. Derby gave up just four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Derby pitched his entire outing with a lead, as the Big Train offense gave him eight runs of support. A balk and an RBI groundout by France gave the Big Train the early 2-0 lead in the first, before a sac fly by David Del Grande (Sacramento State) scoredJosh Spano (High Point) to push the lead to 3-0. In the third inning, a two-run blast by Ryne Willard drove in Johnny Cole(Coastal Carolina), making the score 5-0. After a sacrifice fly by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech), Willard struck again in the fourth, hitting a two-RBI single to extend the Big Train lead to 8-0. The Big Train added one more insurance run in the sixth, as a solo home run by Ricky Santiago (Florida Atlantic) pushed the score to 9-0. The Nationals scored a run in the bottom of the sixth, but Trevor Charpie (Tennessee) pitched a perfect seventh inning to give the Big Train the 9-1 win. After sweeping the doubleheader in Waldorf, the Big Train travel to Herndon on Tuesday to take on the FCA Herndon Braves. On Wednesday, the Big Train will host the CRCBL All-Star Game at Povich Field! There will be six players representing the Big Train in the mid-summer classic, so come on out to see the best that the league has to offer! The next Big Train home game is on Thursday against the Presstman Cardinals on Carnival Night. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.  BT Players in Pro Ball; Renfroe and Bass Team Up In Eugene Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) - left - and Michael Bass (UNC-Wilmington) - right - played on the Big Train together in the summers of 2011 and 2012. They won a National Championship for the Big Train together. And now they play together in the Northwest League (Short Season A) for the Eugene Emeralds. After both were drafted by the San Diego Padres -- Renfroe 13th overall, Bass 808th -- they were reunited in the Pacific Northwest. Both are off to good starts as Bass has shown off his glove and is hitting almost .300 and Renfroe is up to his usual tricks (infield singles, homers, and outfield assists). Here's a full list of the former Big Train players playing pro ball this season: Hugh Adams, RHP (BT 2006-12) St. Paul Saints (American Assn - IND) 0-0, 7.94 ERA in 5 games. Martin Agosta, RHP (BT 2011) Augusta Greenjackets (So. Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) 7-2, 2.18 ERA in 14 games. Michael Aldrete, RHP (BT 2011) Peoria Chiefs (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 2-2, 1 Save, 5.49 ERA in 26 games. Cody Allen, RHP (BT 2008 & 2010) Cleveland Indians (American League - MLB) 4-1, 2 Saves, 2.27 ERA in 40 games. Michael Bass, 2B (BT 2011-12)  Eugene Emeralds (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) .284 in 20 games. Matt Bowman, RHP (BT 2010-11-12) St. Lucie Mets (Fla. State Lg. - Hi A) 5-2, 2.75 ERA in 11 games; after starting season with Savannah Sand Gnats (So. Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) 4-0, 2.64 ERA in 5 games. Collin Cargill, RHP (BT 2007) Jacksonville Suns (Southern Lg. - AA) 2-1, 0.99 ERA in 23 games; after starting season with Jupiter Hammerheads (Fla. State Lg. - Hi A) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 5 games. Mike Costanzo, 3B (BT 2003) Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Southern Lg. - AA) .000 in 2 games; after starting season with Syracuse Chiefs (International Lg. - AAA)  .220 with 10 HR and 29 RBI in 66 games. Tucker Donahue, RHP (BT 2011) Lansing Lugnuts (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 3-2, 5.90 ERA in 31 games. Ryan Doran, RHP (BT 2012) AZL Diamondbacks (Arizona Lg. - Rookie) 3-0, 2.08 ERA in 4 games. Brian Dozier, 2B (BT 2006) Minnesota Twins (American Lg. - MLB) .235, 8 HR, 35 RBI in 81 games. Chris Duffy, 3B/1B/OF (BT 2007) New Jersey Jackals (Canadian-American Lg. - IND) .297, 6 HR, 31 RBI in 52 games; after starting season with Camden Riversharks (Atlantic Lg. - IND) .000 in 3 games. Ryan Garton, RHP (BT 2011) Bowling Green Hot Rods (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 1-3, 6 Saves, 3.38 ERA in 28 games. Ben Griset, LHP (BT 2012) Hudson Valley Renegades (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 0-2, 6.11 ERA in 5 games. Carlos Gutierrez, RHP (BT 2005) Tennessee Smokies (Southern Lg. - AA) 0-0, 1 Save, 0.00 ERA in 2 games; after starting season with AZL Cubs ( Arizona Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 1 game and Daytona Cubs (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) 0-0, 1 Save, 1.50 ERA in 3 games. Terry "T. J." Hose, RHP (BT 2004) Long Island Ducks (Atlantic Lg. - IND) 1-1, 1 Save,  3.03 ERA in 25 games.   Restored to active list on 7/2/2013. Alex Hudak, OF (BT 2011) Lexington Legends (So. Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) .267 in 11 games; after starting season with Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina Lg. - Hi A) .202, 2 HR, 10 RBI in 26 games. Brenden Kalfus, OF (BT 2011) Vancouver Canadians (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) .270 in 24 games. Matt Long, OF (BT 2006) Salt Lake City Bees (PCL - AAA) .299, 6 HR, 31 RBI in 57 games; after starting season with Arkansas Travelers (Texas Lg. - AA) hitting .311 with 3 HR and 19 RBI in 32 games. Joe Mantiply, LHP (BT 2010) Connecticut Tigers (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 0-1, 1.84 ERA in 6 games. Michael McKenry, C (BT 2004) Pittsburgh Pirates (National Lg. - MLB) Hitting .182 with 3 HR and 10 RBI in 35 games. Brennan Middleton, SS/2B/3B (BT 2010-11-12)  Auburn Doubledays (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A)  On Disabled List, so he has no record yet. Ethan Miller, RHP (BT 2012) AZL Giants (Arizona Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 4.05 ERA in 5 games. Chris Mobley, RHP (BT 2002) Na Koa Ikaika Maui "Maui (Hawaii) Strong Warriors" (Pacific Assn. of Pro BB - IND) 1-0, 6 saves, 0.84 ERA in 10 games. Daryl Norris, RHP (BT 2011)  GCL Tigers (Gulf Coast Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 27.00 ERA in 1 game. Cole Norton, OF (BT 2012) Grand Junction Rockies (Pioneer Lg. - Rookie) .302 in 14 games. Drew Permison, RHP (BT 2010) Vancouver Canadians (Northwest Lg. - ss-A). On Disabled List, so he has no record yet for this season. Jimmy Reed, LHP (BT 2010) State College Spikes (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 1-1, 1 Save, 1.38 ERA in 4 games. Hunter Renfroe, OF (BT 2011-12) Eugene Emeralds (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) .400 and 2 home runs in 5 games. Josh Schneider, RHP (BT 2010-11) Rockford Aviators (Frontier Lg. - IND) 0-0, 3.54 ERA in 9 games.  Released on June 28, 2013. Danny Stienstra, 1B (BT 2008-09-10) Palm Beach Cardinals (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) .281, 4 HR, 31 RBI in 83 games. Nick Vickerson, 2B (BT 2010) Hickory Crawdads (South Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) .255, 6 HR, 18 RBI in 49 games. Elliott Waterman, LHP (BT 2011) GCL Nationals (Gulf Coast Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 2 games; after starting season with Auburn Doubledays (New York- Penn Lg. - ss-A). 0-0, 7.20 ERA in 3 games. Matt Wickswat, LHP (BT 2006) Windy City Thunderbolts (Frontier Lg. - IND) 2-8, 5.90 ERA in 11 games. Justin Wright, LHP (BT 2008) Springfield Cardinals (Texas Lg.- AA) 0-1, 4.00 ERA in 31 games.

Big Train Cage Cardinals, Sweep Doubleheader; CRCBL All-Star Game on Wednesday at Povich

Big Train Cage Cardinals, Sweep Doubleheader!   The Big Train hosted the Presstman Cardinals in a doubleheader at Povich Fieldon Sunday, as they looked to build on their two-game winning streak. Because the first game was a makeup game from a previously-scheduled game atPresstman, the Big Train were the away team in the first game.   Box Scores: Game 1: W, 1-0 | Game 2: W, 7-3  VIDEO: Post Game Interviews (Colangelo & Del Grande)   Michael Boyle (Radford) got the start for the Big Train in the first game and went the distance. It was his second seven-inning complete-game shutout of the season. Boyle gave up just three hits and a walk while striking out seven.   The Big Train offense would give Boyle just enough offense to get the win, as an RBI single by Tucker Tobin (George Mason) in the first inning scoredJohnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) to give the Big Train the 1-0 victory. Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) - pictured above - took the mound in Game 2 for Bethesda, and also pitched a complete game. Collazo allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six.   The Cardinals got on the board first, putting up two runs in the first inning. However, the Big Train got one of the runs back in the bottom half of the inning, as a groundball by Tobin would score David Del Grande (Sacramento State) to cut the lead to 2-1.   In the third inning, the offense gave the Big Train its first lead of the game. RBIs from Harrison Bruce (San Francisco), Tobin, and Josh Spano (High Point) made the score 4-2 Bethesda.   After the Cardinals scored another run in the fourth, the Big Train added two insurance runs on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Mike Miedzianowski (High Point) and an error. The Big Train added one more run in the sixth on an RBI double by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) to make the score 7-3.   Collazo pitched a shutout inning in the seventh to close out the game, giving the Big Train the 7-3 victory. The Big Train now hit the road for three games prior to Wednesday's All-Star Break. The Big Train travel to Regency Furniture Stadium on Monday to play a doubleheader against the Southern Maryland Nationals, before traveling to Herndon on Tuesday to play a game against the FCA Herndon Braves.   On Wednesday, the Big Train will host the CRCBL All-Star Game at Povich Field! There will be six players representing the Big Train in the mid-summer classic, some come on out to see the best that the league has to offer.

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.