Gameday Recap

George Howe Media Relations (773) 368-4848

Perfect Season and Playoffs Gone

Chicago, IL. Head Coach John Konecki sat on the sidelines, a moment to himself. Elbows on knees, head in hands, frustrated and dejected. His post game message to his team was full of emotion. At times he stopped in mid – sentence to gather himself in order to continue. There wasn’t a dry eye in the huddle. This one hurt. Expectations were high. Talent was evident. Yet the perfect 9-0 record and march to the National Championship came crashing down Saturday, as the Boston Militia advanced to the semi – final round, with a convincing 50 – 23 triumph.

Things started out well enough for the Force on the opening drive by the Militia, when Darcy Leslie blocked a 33 yard field goal try. The Force took over at their own 25, and that’s when things went backwards. An illegal formation and offside penalty spotted the ball at their own 15 yard line. Quarterback Sami Grisafe was sacked for a loss. A short pass completion to Brandi Srda brought the ball to the 29. The Militia took the punt at midfield. A 15 yard Force facemask penalty gave the Militia a first down at the Force 30. Four plays later, QB Allison Cahill threw a left side slant pattern to Rachel Toal in stride for the score. Leslie blocked the extra point try. The Force got on the board at the 2:47 mark of quarter one when Grisafe threw a pretty post pattern pass to Jeanette Gray - good for a 40 yard TD strike. Tricia Charbonneau made the extra point for a 7-6 Force lead.

With time running out in the first quarter, the Militia mixed things up with runs and passes, and at times easily advanced the ball downfield. On the first play of the second quarter, and the ball at the Force 8 yard line, Sherese Woodfine took a Cahill handoff and streaked left for the score. The successful 2 point conversion made it 14-7. The Militia turned a Force fumble at midfield into a score at the 9:14 mark to make it a 20-7 Boston advantage. With 6 minutes left in the first half, a 35 yard run down the left sideline by Chante Bonds sealed the win for the Militia.

Chicago scored once more before halftime, on a 14 yard pass to WR Albi Zhubi in the corner of the end zone. Chicago's other TD would come at the end of the third quarter when RB Jessica Springer caught a short pass from Grisafe and stormed 38 yards down the left sideline. Springer finished with 114 yards on 15 carries for one touchdown, while Grisafe completed 15 of 25 passes for 194 yards, 2 TD's and an interception. Chicago's lone standout on defense was #43 Melissa Whyms who finished with 10 tackles.

“As high as we get with a win, a loss like this now really hurts,” said Konecki. “This loss doesn’t diminish what we did. We had a wonderful run.”