Recap vs. Baltimore Burn – April 20, 2002

Recap vs. Baltimore Burn – April 20, 2002

Divas Fall to Rival Burn in Defensive Battle, 7-2
Baltimore 7, DC 2
By Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – The D.C. Divas and Baltimore Burn were projected to have two of the top defenses in the National Women’s Football League (NWFL) this season. Their first of four meetings did not disappoint on that count.

The Baltimore Burn notched their first win in the Beltway rivalry, taking down the D.C. Divas by a 7-2 margin. The Burn (3-0) lost all seven of their contests last year in their inaugural campaign. While they won two exhibition contests over the Rochester Raptors to start the 2002 season, this win over the Divas is their first regular season win in team history.

The Divas (1-1) lost their regular season opener for the second straight season. The Divas defense was as strong as advertised, scoring the Divas’ only points of the game on a Burn safety. But while the Divas’ defense was solid – allowing only one touchdown – Baltimore’s was better, shutting the Divas’ offense out entirely. The Burn avenged a 20-8 loss to the Divas last season and evened their all-time record in this Beltway rivalry at one game each.

The Divas know that, despite the loss, they have three more chances to play their rivals this season. Those games will likely determine the Mid-Atlantic Division crown. But the Burn have drawn first blood in what should be an exciting rivalry this season.

The D.C. Divas hit the road next Saturday for their first away game of the season against the Asheville Assault.