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Force Lose Heartbreaker in Detroit 21-19

Livonia, Michigan. The Chicago Force four game win streak came to an end Saturday when they came up just short in a heart-pounding 21-19 road loss to the Detroit Demolition. Special teams played a huge part in the outcome yielding two long kickoff returns (one for a TD), a critical 4th quarter roughing the punter penalty, and two failed extra point attempts that equaled the final margin of victory. The Force have been hit hard by injuries this year, most recently to RB sensation Karyn Silvestri (out for the season) and QB Sami Grisafe. Perhaps the biggest story of the day was Albi Zhubi, who left her WR position to fill in at QB while Grisafe recovers. Zhubi was impressive in all aspects, completing 21 passes for 167 yards and a TD, and rushing 6 times for 42 yards while leading the Force offense up and down the field as it amassed 334 total yards. The game was just 15 seconds old when the scoreboard lit up. Poor coverage on the Chicago kick off team resulted in a TD on the game’s opening play. Detroit kicked the extra point to go up 7-0. The Force offense then came out for their initial possession and put on an eleven play, 57 yard scoring drive. The two big plays were passes from Zhubi to WR’s Trish Harper (for 23 yards) and Martha Dantuma (for 20 yards). On fourth and goal from the 3 yard line, Zhubi connected with Dantuma over the middle for a TD. The missed extra point left the score at Chicago 6 - Detroit 7. On a second quarter punt, a misplay by the Demolition returner resulted in a fumble that was recovered by CB Mary Valene at the Detroit 37 yard line. The Force offense went to work with a punishing running attack. New RB Darleen “Blue” Hall carried six times on the drive, eventually scoring from the two yard line. Although the 2 point conversion was unsuccessful, the Force now led 12-7 midway through the second quarter. The lead was short-lived as the Force kick-off team again gave up a big return, this time to the Force 27 yard line. Six plays later the Demolition scored on a bootleg. Detroit failed on the 2 point attempt, but took the lead at 13-12. This was the last of the scoring in the first half. The first few possessions of the 2nd half were uneventful as both teams struggled to move the ball. Midway through the 3rd quarter the Demolition QB bootlegged again around left end and beat both secondary defenders on her way to the end zone untouched on a 45 yard TD. Detroit was able to punch it in for a two point conversion to extend their lead to 21-12. At the end of the 3rd quarter Chicago took over on downs at their own 17 yard line and put together an 83 yard, eight minute drive that wore down the Detroit defense. The Force offensive line punished their opponents, and eventually RB Hall powered into the end zone from the 1 yard line. Carolyn Lee kicked the extra point to close the gap to Chicago 19 Detroit 21. With five minutes remaining Chicago had the ball on their own 29 yard line. Two completions moved Chicago to their 43 yard line, but QB Zhubi’s first down pass attempt was intercepted and Detroit now had first and ten at the Chicago 15 yard line with a chance to put the game away. The Chicago defense stood their ground, led by LB Darcy Leslie, LB Kim Marks and DT Keesha Brooks. On 2nd down Leslie burst through and sacked the Detroit QB for a 9 yard loss. Detroit eventually turned the ball over on downs giving Chicago a final opportunity to drive from its own 15 yard line with just over 2 minutes to play. Zhubi kept the chains moving, completing 3 passes to Hall for 27 yards and scrambling twice for 19 yards. Faced with a 4th and 5 at the Detroit 47 yard line, Zhubi completed a pass to Harper that appeared to gain the first down. After a questionable spot by the officials, the measurement came up short ending Chicago’s final opportunity. Detroit knelt twice to run out the clock. “For the first time this season, we didn’t win all three phases – and our failure on special teams cost us the game.” said Head Coach John Konecki. “We will correct these problems and I have no doubt we’ll win the rematch.” The Force host the Minnesota Vixen this Saturday May 23, at 3pm at North Park University. Und of playoffs, the game is scheduled for 7pm on June 27.