Gameday Recap

Contact: George Howe, Media Relations

Des Moines, IA. With the Valley Stadium field bathed in early spring sunshine, the Chicago Force began the quest of defending their Eastern Conference crown and a return trip to the National Championship game, with a resounding 54-0 victory against a never say quit Iowa Crush team. Head Coach John Konecki and his staff of Jerry Verde, Bill Smith, Al Maldonado, and Tony Powell, deserves credit for the impressive opening game preparation. The execution on both sides of the ball was crisp with few noticeable mistakes.

The Force veteran offensive line of Stacey Baker, Dawn Pederson, Jamie Menzyk, Rosalyn Bennett, and Keesha Brooks made it look easy giving co-captain quarterback Sami Grisafe time to look over the field like an artist scanning the landscape, her arm serving as the paint brush with long smooth strokes. Grisafe completed 12 of 21 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns as the Force racked up 464 yards of total offense. “We are excited about the chemistry and makeup of this team,” explained Grisafe. We have a lot of weapons.” On the opening kickoff the Crush tried a surprise onside kick which was recovered by Mary Valene at the Force 32 yard line. Grisafe then found wide receiver Albi Zhubi for a 9 yard pass completion. Rookie running back Candace Griffin picked up 7 yards on her first carry. Rookie wide receiver Martha Dantuma caught a Grisafe pass for 28 yards and a first down. Zhubi pulled in a 9 yard strike. After a 6 yard keeper by Grisafe, Zhubi was rewarded with a tight spiral into the end zone from 13 yards out. Zhubi finished the day with 6 catches for 81 yards. Carolyn Lee added the extra point, which proved to be the winning score. The Crush offense found the going tough all afternoon thanks to relentless defensive pursuit by Kim Marks, Ericka-Bell Coleman, Kim Reed, Lori Kunc, Veronica Hernandez, Sofia Sianez, Shannon Ten Broeck, Erin Buteau, and Amanda Malsch who’s heavy rush on Iowa’s first series allowed linebacker Amber Burns to record the first interception of the season.

All three rookie starters joined the scoring parade including RB dynamo Karyn Silvestri who added 6 and 42 yard touchdown runs. “It was everything that I thought it would be and more, said Silvestri. “ I was really nervous and thought that I might throw up. I’m glad to have contributed today.” Veteran RB Esther Henigan, slowed by injury in 2008, looked healthy in her return scoring twice including a 49 yard run right up the middle. “We have been preaching since day one that we are a team and not a group of individuals,” said Konecki. “We played all 3 phases of the game very well today. I’m very proud of this group of women.”

The Force hosts the Wisconsin Warriors in the home opener Saturday April 18, at 7pm.