Breen Phillips battles Badin to 6-6 tie after failed conversions
By CHRIS FREDERICO,
LAUREN CONTI and
Although often overlooked and only worth one point, extra points can become crucial in close ball games. Missing one over the course of a game can come back to haunt a team, as it did to both Breen Phillips and Badin Sunday afternoon on Stepan Field.
Each team only scored once, and both failed to complete the conversion, ending the game in a 6-6 tie.
B.P. had to punt on their first possession and Badin got the ball to set up a long drive keyed by quarterback Priscilla ClementsÕ scrambling abilities. On third and 15 from their own 25, Clements connected on a big pass to wide receiver Betsy Cavo to set up first and goal. The B.P. defense would hold their ground, however, and take over the ball on downs.
On the first play of the second half, B.P.Õs Gina Montenaro intercepted BadinÕs quarterback, Clements. On fourth down and goal, Katie McFarland pushed the ball into the endzone on a quarterback draw. B.P. would miss the conversion to go up 6-0.
Badin again backed up B.P.Õs defense to the goal line and, once again, the defense held. B.P. then took over on downs.
After B.P. was forced to punt on the next drive, Badin took the ball and moved down the field. On a key fourth and seven, they came up with a twenty-yard pass to B.P.Õs 4 yard line. This time, Badin would not be denied, as Clements ran the ball into the endzone on a keeper. Badin, too, would miss their conversion.
With time running out, B.P. nearly scored the go-ahead touchdown but were stopped by a costly penalty.
B.P. captain Jenny Wahoske was upset that her teamÕs last second attempt to score failed, but she held a positive attitude about the game.
ÒAt least we are moving forward,Ó she said. ÒLast week we got a loss, and this week we managed a tie, so next weÕre hoping for a win.Ó
B.P. will face Farley next at 9 p.m. tonight. Badin will square off against Off-Campus at 7 p.m.
Walsh 13, Farley 8
FarleyÕs Finest were not up to the challenge this Sunday at Stepan field, as the Wild Women of Walsh Hall defeated them by a sound 13-8 margin.
ÒI think we came out too slow in the first half,Ó said Farley coach Mike Hogan. ÓBy the second half we were warmed up, but by then it was too late.Ó
The game was dominated by the young Walsh offense from the outset.
After an unsuccessful drive by Farley, Walsh drove up the field and scored the first touchdown of the game led by quarterback Gretchen McIntyre. Alternate quarterback Lauren Walsh took control of the offense for the point after, however.
ÒUsually, he (coach Steve Dillenburger) starts me, and then Lauren (Walsh) will go in,Ó said McIntyre.ÓAnd heÕll rotate us as needed. This time I played a lot more than usual, though. The running plays were really working and the offense opened up a lot of holes for me.Ó
Hogan named the Wild WomenÕs flexible offense as one of the factors that contributed to unhinging FarleyÕs defense.
ÒWe had a tough time stopping the run,Ó he said. ÒThey ran a lot of different misdirection plays that we hadnÕt seen before. The experience will be good for us in the long run.Ó
Following WalshÕs early touchdown, Farley called a time-out to regroup.
They remained unable to pull it together, however, as quarterback Jenny Geraci threw three incomplete passes.
ÒWe were feeling the pressure,Ó Geraci said. ÒTheir defense was really good at getting in to the quarterback. IÕd say that was the most defensive pressure weÕve come up against.Ó
The second half of the game looked somewhat brighter for Farley, as their offense settled into the game and was able to get the Finest on the scoreboard. Defense also looked tighter as Farley got more of a feel for the varied Walsh plays.
ÒItÕs important to note that we were missing some key players on defense, like Rebecca Glatz,Ó said Hogan. ÒThe girls who filled in played well, but they werenÕt as experienced.Ó
Lauren Walsh stayed at the helm of WalshÕs offense for much of the second half. In WalshÕs first possession, she was able feed the ball once again to Kenny, who ran to FarleyÕs five for a Walsh first down.
The Wild Women quickly converted yards to points as Walsh threw to Jen Lynch for their second touchdown of the game.
Farley took advantage of a penalty called on Walsh and put together their first scoring drive of the game. On a fourth down play, Geraci passed to McKay, who ran it in for FarleyÕs first score of the game. The Finest then successfully went for the subsequent two-point conversion.
With only four minutes remaining on the clock, however, the Finest were unable to catch up to the Wild Women, who hardly faltered in remainder of the second half.
ÒI donÕt know what happened Ñ it took us half the game to get going, and they were a good team, so you canÕt expect to be sleeping for half the game and still win,Ó said Hogan. ÒBut weÕre not out of it by any means.Ó
The Finest will play Breen Phillips this Tuesday.
ÒI think weÕre in the running this year for the playoffs,Ó said Walsh.
The Wild WomenÕs next match-up will be against the McGlinn Shamrocks.
Pasquerilla West 7, McGlinn 6
ItÕs all part of the Notre Dame folklore: the green jerseys, unfamiliar turf, trailing at the half, and a last minute drive down the field. The script was there for the Shamrocks on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the pen was in the hands of a Purple Weasel, as PW topped McGlinn 7-6 on Stepan fields.
Both teams got off to a rocky start in the first half. The WeaselsÕ first drive was stalled by an interception, and McGlinn proceeded to turn the ball back over on a loss of downs.
The pace picked up on PWÕs second possession. Captain Amanda Gallen started things off with a 30-yard run down the field.
Quarterback Leslie Schmidt took over from there, finding senior Kori Yelle in the end zone for the PW touchdown. Gallen provided what would turn out to be a crucial extra point for the Purple Weasels.
The Shamrocks could not respond on their next attempt. The PW defense allowed three receptions by junior Christa Gray, but the McGlinn movement stopped there.
Quarterback Jodie Greaney was sacked by Alanna Lungren on third down, and the Shamrocks couldnÕt get enough for the first down.
The Shamrocks and Purple Weasels saved the best action for last in the second half.
PW seemed to be in control after two consecutive sacks on Greaney. The Purple Weasels took the ball over at midfield, but Leslie SchmidtÕs first pass was intercepted by Becca Williams, who sprinted down the sidelines for a McGlinn touchdown. Unfortunately for the Shamrocks, GreaneyÕs extra point pass was broken up, and they still trailed by one.
The Shamrock defense was determined to give the offense one more shot at a score. Becca Williams came up big again, sacking Leslie Schmidt and forcing PW to punt with just over one minute left in the game.
Greaney completed a 20-yard pass to Gray, and the Shamrocks seemed to be on their way to victory.
However, GreaneyÕs next pass was intercepted by ironwoman Amanda Gallen, and the Purple Weasels squeaked out a win.
ÒWeÕve had three close games this season, but our defense has been really good,Ó said Gallen.
McGlinn coach Geoff Heiple was disappointed with the loss, but he remains positive.
ÒWe need to work on our execution,Ó said Heiple. ÒThe plays are there, so we donÕt need to change our strategy.Ó
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 26, 2000
