WOMEN'S INTERHALL BLUE LEAGUE: Battle of the defenses leaves Lewis on top
BRIAN LONG and KEN CHAMPA\
Sports Writers
Defense reigned supreme as Lewis defeated McGlinn 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Absent was the highly touted Chickens offense and the newly-found firepower from McGlinn's Shamrocks. However, both defenses showed up to play, as the sole points of the game came on a safety by the Chicks defensive unit.
The tone of this defensive battle was set early, after an interception by Lewis on McGlinn's initial drive. After picking off the pass, Lewis captain Caitlin Murray sprinted up the sideline towards the endzone.
While McGlinn players were converging on the ball, Lewis lineman Sheila Dawgs saw her opportunity to spring Murray for the score. As Murray flew up the field, Dawgs threw a blindsided block on a McGlinn player, knocking both women to the ground.
The referees felt the block was too rough for league play and ejected Dawgs
The game resumed and so did the defensive clinic.
Even though the McGlinn defense couldn't put up the points like the Chicks, the Shamrocks played the "bend but don't break" strategy to perfection. On three different drives throughout the game, the Lewis offense pushed the ball down to their goal line, only to be stopped short on fourth and goal.
The McGlinn offense, however, which for the past three games has been close to perfect, was completely shut down.
While the Chicks were being stopped on fourth and goal, the Shamrocks were losing yards on drives, and crossed midfield only once during the entire game.
By completing an undefeated regular season, Lewis is now concentrating on taking home the championship trophy.
Cavanaugh 13, Howard 12
Cavanaugh and Howard put on an aerial showcase at Reihle Field, but it was the Chaos which was fortunate enough to come away with a win.
The game was highlighted by dueling quarterbacks Jill Veselik for Howard (2-3) and Mandy Reimer for the Cavanaugh (3-1-1).
Reimer, who finished 7-11 with two touchdowns set the tone for the night, leading the Chaos to the end zone on their first drive.
A 45-yard pass to receiver senior Katie Burdick highlighted the drive. Reimer then connected with Burdick on the next play for a 15-yard score.
"The first drive gave us a lot of confidence, it got the whole team really excited," said Burdick
Burdick was the other offensive star for the Chaos, reeling in five receptions, including the touchdown.
"When we lined up with four receivers, it was a lot easier to get the ball, and Mandy put it right there," said Burdick.
Howard was not to be outdone as the Ducks marched 75 yards for a score of their own in the first half, led by Veselik.
"Jill had run the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, and somehow still played amazing tonight," said senior Duck captain Katie Cawley.
"We couldn't have played any better, they just played a great game to beat us," said Veselik, who finished the night 10-14 through the air.
Howard scored on two Veselik touchdown runs, taking the lead 12-7.
With less than three minutes left though, it was Reimer who had the final say, connecting on fourth down to Lynn Olszowy for the a score that put Cavanaugh for good 13-12.
After a pass interference call, Howard had one final play from the Chaos 10 yard line.
A rolling Veselik fired a pass to Hosey that barely slipped through her hands, and the Chaos celebration began.
"It's tough to walk away from it all, playing these games was just a great time," said Cawley.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, October 11, 2001
