Play-off Round One - June 28, 2003 - D.C. Divas vs Connecticut

The D.C. Divas advanced to the next round of playoffs when they crushed Connecticut on June 28th with a 76-0 victory. The D.C. Divas took control early with a touchdown in the beginning of the first quarter. Running back Donna Wilkinson carried the ball into the end zone and also completed the conversion to make the score 8-0. The D.C. Divas’ second touchdown of the evening followed swiftly as Wilkinson again ran in the ball. The D.C. Divas were in full control of the game with the scoreboard showing a score of 14-0. The third score of the quarter was a touchdown pass from quarterback Allyson Hamlin to tight end Taquina Billups with less than two minutes left in the quarter.

Although the Connecticut Crush continued to fight, the D.C. Divas clearly outmatched them and scored once more within the first minute of the quarter. The second quarter started with the score of 20-0. Running back Monica Livingston had a huge touchdown run, and with a successful conversion, the D.C. Divas were leading 28-0. Even with the game fully under their control, the D.C. Divas did not rest. At the 12:12 mark they scored again with Hamlin throwing to wide receiver Vicki Lucas. With a successful conversion by Livingston, the score was quickly 36-0 with more than half of the game to go.

The Crush offense continued their quest for a touchdown, but the D.C. Divas defense shut them down while the D.C. Divas offense continued their domination on the field. With only 2:55 to go in the first half, the D.C. Divas scored for the sixth time with a touchdown reception by wide receiver Nikki Williams. The conversion was completed by fullback LaShawn Foust, and the score at the half was 44-0.

The second half was much like the first with the first touchdown of the third quarter happening quickly after an interception at the 14:12 mark by cornerback Angela Head. The D.C. Divas did not waste this turnover, and Foust scored with 10:18 left in the quarter. Two more touchdowns followed in quick succession—the first run in by Quarterback Deb Troell with fullback Yolanda Thomas completing the conversion, and the second touchdown made by wide receiver Lilah Blackstone. The kick by Stacy Palmer for the extra point was good. And with 1:24 left in the third quarter, the score was 67-0. The D.C. Divas pulled off a quick safety at the very end of this quarter and went into the fourth quarter with a score of 69-0. The tenth and last touchdown of the evening was made by the D.C. Divas with 6:29 left in the game to make the final score an astounding 76-0. MVP’s for the game were running back Monica Livingston on Offense and outside linebacker Sharina Western on Defense.

With this decisive win over Connecticut, the D.C. Divas advance to the next round of the playoffs and travel to Philadelphia to face the Phoenix on July 12. This match-up is pivotal on two counts. First and foremost, a win will advance the D.C. Divas to the final round of the playoffs. And second, the D.C. Divas would love a win against the team (then called the Philadelphia Belles) that gave them their first crushing loss at their inaugural game in 2001.

The National Women's Football Association has 29 teams playing in 5 divisions. For additional information on the National Women's Football Association, please visit their website at www.womensfootballassociation.com or call (615) 860-4084.

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