Gameday Recap

July 10, 2006

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

LIVONIA, MI. The Chicago Force season came to an end Saturday, July 8, with a hard fought battle against nemesis Detroit Demolition. Falling 20-0 in the Midwest Conference wild card game, held at Churchill stadium.

The final score in any sporting event rarely tells the whole story. This contest was no different. Chicago started out on defense, thanks to constant pressure forced the Demolition to go four and out. On Chicago’s first offensive series, starting from their own 28 yard line they marched 50 yards on 12 plays had Detroit back on their heels. Something the home fans weren’t used to experiencing as the 600 strong sat in silence. QB, Angie Bandstra, WR, Abby Riewe highlighted the drive. Bandstra bulldozed her way to two first downs. While Riewe carried five times for 30 yards. A fourth down offside penalty on Detroit moved the ball to the 35, another Force first down. The Demolition held strong, dropping Chicago for losses three straight plays. On fourth and 16, head coach Jim Stahl decided to go for it. Bandstra rolled out and found WR Linda Bache who made an incredible acrobatic catch that appeared to be good for a key first down deep in Detroit territory. A questionable spot by the side judge official left the Force inches short and proved to be Chicago’s only scoring threat the rest of the way.

The Demolition continued to show how extremely difficult they are to score on, allowing a total of 21 points in nine games. The Force defense deserves similar praise and is considered one of the best in the IWFL. Spending most of this playoff game on the field, they continued to push Detroit’s offense around, limiting the Demolition to seven first half points. Their lowest of the season. Force regular starters that always come to play include; LB’s, Pam Schaffrath, Becky Thuestad, Kim Duffey. S, Linda Bache, DB, Jennifer Dulski. DL, Keesha Brooks, Ericka Bell- Coleman, Amanda Malsch. DE, Tamika Perry had the finest performance of her career. Sacking the quarterback, at one point grabbed a Demolition running back behind the line of scrimmage and tossed her like a rag doll. Up and coming DB’s, Mandy Linkinhoker, Debbie Sanchez, did a nice job shadowing the receivers.

Chicago finishes the season a respectable 6-3. Despite the tough loss, no one walked off the field sulking. "We asked the ladies before the game started to give it their all and leave everything on the field, they did that today", said Stahl. "I told my player’s to hold their heads up. We played a very good team, they (Demolition) knew that they were in a fight all the way", he added.

The Demolition will host the Sacramento Sirens, July 15 for the Western Conference title. The Eastern Conference title game features the Atlanta Xplosion at the N.Y. Sharks. The IWFL Super bowl will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Long Beach Ca. on Saturday July 29.

For more information regarding the Chicago Force Women’s Tackle Football team, visit www.chicagoforcefootball.com. Or contact Linda Bache, General Manager, at (630) 675-1339.