Recap vs. Baltimore Burn – June 12, 2004

Perfection: D.C. Divas Clinch Top Playoff Seed By Burning Baltimore, 52-16
DC 52, Baltimore 16
By Rich Daniel

Recap • Statistics

Washington, DC – Given a second shot at perfection, this time the Divas didn’t miss.

The D.C. Divas secured their first perfect 8-0 regular season in team history by blowing out the Baltimore Burn, 52-16. The Divas amassed their largest margin of victory in the series and gained a measure of revenge for their finish to the 2003 regular season.

Last year, the Divas took a 7-0 record into the final game of the regular season, but their quest to finish a perfect 8-0 was dashed when the Burn notched a 22-14 upset. This season, the Divas were faced with a similar scenario, and they made sure there was no late-minute dramatics by racing out to a comfortable lead.

The 36-point win was just what the Divas (8-0) needed to secure the top seed in the Northern Conference and assure themselves home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The D.C. Divas, who have won the NWFA’s Mid-Atlantic Division title for the second straight year, will begin their quest for the league championship on July 10 versus the Southwest Michigan Jaguars.

The Burn (4-4) made things interesting at the start of the game, scoring the first touchdown of the contest and taking an 8-0 lead. It was the first time the Divas had trailed this season, and the team responded by exploding for 52 unanswered points.

Quarterback Allyson Hamlin continued her impressive play of late with a three-touchdown, nine-of-21, 181-yard passing performance. Hamlin has now thrown for 11 touchdowns the past four games. Tara Kallal had three catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Donna Wilkinson had a physical running day that produced 68 yards and two touchdowns. Wilkinson has rushed for 2,076 yards in the last two seasons (18 games), with the Divas going 16-2 during that span.

Defensively, the D.C. Divas finished the regular season with four shutouts. They are currently the #2-ranked defense in the league behind the two-time defending champions, the Detroit Demolition. “We have worked too hard to let this satisfy us. We still have our sights set on a bigger prize,” said head coach Ezra Cooper. Now in his fourth season, Cooper has the distinction of leading the D.C. Divas into the playoffs for the second time.

The D.C. Divas wish to thank you for your interest in them this season and hope to see you during the championship run.

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