Undefeated Welsh looks for second win against Lyons
By COLIN BOYLAN and LAUREN CONTI
Sports Writers
A 6-0 record during the regular season may have earned Welsh Family Hall the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs, but it won't get the defending champions much else this weekend in their first round match-up against Lyons.
"I think its going to be a tough, close game," Lyons quarterback Sarah Jenkins said. "We certainly aren't intimidated by their record."
Perhaps it won't be the memory of a 6-0 record that lingers in the mind of Lyon's players as they take the field, but rather, the week two regular season contest between the two teams. In that game, Welsh dominated, claiming a 20-0 victory against Lyons.
"We feel we've improved a lot since the second week," Jenkins said. "Our offense is much better."
For its part, Welsh has been operating on all cylinders, defeating Cavanaugh 20-2 and Howard 35-0 in its past two games to complete an undefeated Blue League campaign.
The strength of the team is a quick offense coupled with a strong passing game with quarterback Katie Rak throwing to receivers Jen Grubb and Vanessa Lichon.
"Offensively, Katie has been outstanding for us this year," Welsh coach Casey Bouton said. "She's familiar with all our returning receivers and that's key."
Bouton was also quick to give credit to fourth-year defender Maria Fieldmayer, who he called "a real leader on the field."
For Lyons (3-3), defensive backs Lisa Thomas and Lisa Chamblee will have to contain Welsh's passing game if they hope to score an upset. Offensively, Jenkins will be looking downfield to a receiving corps headed by freshman Roxy Trevino.
And while the odds will definitely be in Welsh's favor, no one is counting out Lyons just yet. After dropping its first three games of the season, the team rallied to win their last three and secure a playoff berth.
"If we can beat Welsh, I think we'll have a good chance to win it all," Jenkins said.
Welsh coach Bouton agreed.
"We have lots of confidence in our team," he said. "But were just going to take it one game at a time and hopefully we'll end up in the stadium."
Pasquerilla West vs. Walsh
The Purple Weasels of Pasquerilla West will play in their first Interhall playoff game since the 1998 season this Sunday at 2 p.m., when they face off against Walsh Hall's Wild Women at Stepan Fields.
The PW Women have tweaked their offense and feel well prepared for the challenge.
"We've put in a lot of new plays in preparation," PW offensive coordinator Steve Branowski said. "We didn't make [the playoffs] last year, but this year we're finally breaking through."
After a successful season, Walsh will be looking to cement this season's prowess and prove they can move further up the ranks than they did last season. In 1999, they beat the Purple Weasels 7-6 in the last game of the season to narrowly qualify for the playoffs, but lost in the first round.
"I think we're more competitive this year than we were last year, and hopefully we'll get further in the playoffs," Walsh receiver Kay Scanlan said.
"Last time we played [PW], we tied at 0-0, and to be honest, I thought they played better than we did," he said. "In order for us to beat them, we'll have to play as well as we possibly can, but I think our offense can pick it up, and our defense was there strong last time."
He added, "if we can beat them, I see us going far."
Baranowski looks to Sunday's game with confidence.
"Previously against Walsh, our offense moved the ball well, but we just couldn't manage to punch it into the end zone," he said. "Now, we've made a few offensive adjustments. We've put in a lot of new plays, and we're keep it very close to the vest."
The Purple Weasels may be the team with something to prove, but the Wild Women have just as much at stake.
"I know we all have a personal investment in this game," Walsh quarterback Lauren Walsh said. "We have a lot of seniors on the team, it's their last year, and they really want it."
"We're such a small team that every one of us plays, so if we do win, it will be because of everybody, not just a few star players," she added.
The game is shaping up to the kind of highly competitive match that should be the hallmark of Women's Interhall playoffs this season.
"We're pumped to actually be in the playoffs," PW captain Amanda Gallen said. "After a season with so many teams that had such close records, it should be a great postseason and a great game."
All Sports Stories for Friday, October 27, 2000
