Gameday Recap

June 24, 2006

Contact: George Howe, Media Relations (773) 368-4848
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, IL. Force Head coach and aspiring artist Jim Stahl started to piece together his foundation way back in January. As time went by, using his teaching skills much like a sculptor handles a hammer and chisel; he chipped away the unnecessary parts. Like all works in progress there still are a few rough edges but the finished product may one day be considered a masterpiece. Stahl's team was on exhibit last Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium. With 500 family, friends and loyal supporters in attendance for the final regular season viewing, the ladies of the gridiron painted the Kansas City Storm all over the field enroute to a 28-0 victory.

Quarterback Angie Bandstra opened up the scoring with a one yard keeper up the middle. RB Linda Bache made the score 12-0 with a one yard run. Bandstra scampered around the right end for the two point conversion. The Force took a 14-0 lead into the locker room. Bache who also starts at safety had a monster game, rushing 5 times for 26 yards. She caught a 20 yard pass, recorded three interceptions, highlighted by a 30 yard return. RB Theresa Simon carried the ball three straight times at the start of the third quarter. Bandstra then hooked up with FB Jessica McPeake for a 41 yard td strike. McPeake added the 2 point conversion. Simon closed out the scoring with a 6 yard run, finishing the day with 65 yards on 9 carries. Simon and Bridget Manabat did a nice job filling in for injured starter Melissa Smith. Manabat added 30 yards on 4 carries. WR Tashaunda Shumpert turned in the most dazzling run of the day. After taking a handoff in the backfield from Bandstra, it appeared Shump would be thrown for a loss. Instead, using fancy footwork she ran 45 yards to set up Chicago's last touchdown.

The Force defense once again stepped up shutting out the Storm for the second consecutive week. Co Captain Pam Schaffrath had nine tackles and patrols the field attacking the opposition like a battering ram goes through a door. Schffrath has proven to be the hardest hitting linebacker in the league. The usual suspects taking care of business on D include: Jennifer Dulski, Becky Thuestad, Erica Bell- Coleman, Amanda Malsch, Keesha Brooks. DB Debbie Sanchez had her first interception of the year. Christine Wheeler and Teresa Sochacki were solid on special teams.

Chicago finished the regular season with a 6-2 record, second place in the Midwest division of the IWFL. Earning a wildcard playoff berth, the team will travel to Detroit July 8 to take on the division champion Demolition. Coach Stahl hopes that the third time is a charm in the biggest game of the season. "Obviously it's difficult to beat a team three times," explained Stahl. "If we execute to our potential I'm confident that we can beat the Demolition", he added.