Recap vs. Philadelphia Liberty Belles – June 16, 2001

Recap vs. Philadelphia Liberty Belles – June 16, 2001

Divas Show Signs of Progress in 14-7 Loss
Philadelphia 14, DC 7
By Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – Fans may not believe there is such a thing as a moral victory, but this game sure looked like one for the D.C. Divas.

Seven weeks after being thoroughly dominated in a 40-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Liberty Belles, the D.C. Divas played the conference-leading Liberty Belles toe-to-toe before succumbing to a 14-7 defeat. The game illustrated just how much the Divas have improved over the course of the season, as the Divas nearly spoiled Philadelphia’s dreams of making the first NWFL national championship game.

The Liberty Belles (6-1) lost their first game last weekend to the Massachusetts Mutiny, 13-7. However, thanks to a 27-0 victory over the Mutiny earlier this season, Philadelphia still controls its own destiny in the race for the Northern Conference crown. The Liberty Belles knew coming into this game that a victory over the Divas, along with a win in their season finale next Saturday over the Connecticut Crush, would clinch the Northern Conference title and a berth in the NWFL national championship game on July 14.

But even though they were blown out in their previous meeting, the Divas (2-4) refused to quietly fold. On a rainy, wet day in DC, the Divas kept the Philadelphia offense to just 14 points, their lowest output in a win this season. Bolstered by the home crowd, the Divas had an opportunity right through to the final whistle to possibly steal a victory from the Liberty Belles.

The D.C. Divas will conclude their inaugural season with one final home game next weekend. The Divas will take on the visiting Tennessee Venom, who have compiled a 4-3 record in the Southern Conference this season.