Recap vs. Cincinnati Sizzle – June 11, 2005
Divas Overcome Injury For Third Straight Shutout, 54-0
DC 54, Cincinnati 0
By Neal Rozendaal
Recap • Statistics
Largo, MD – The D.C. Divas survived a devastating injury and used a 24-point second quarter to secure a 30-0 halftime lead en route to a 54-0 triumph over the visiting Cincinnati Sizzle. The Divas defense was magnificent yet again as the Divas pitched their sixth shutout in seven games this season.
The Divas (7-0) were magnificent in all phases of the game, but the contest was marred by a gruesome injury to Divas running back Monica Livingston. Livingston took a short swing pass, and as the Cincinnati defender approached, Livingston’s foot became caught in the turf and twisted at an 180-degree angle. The game was halted for several minutes before Livingston could be carted off of the field.
The Divas’ offense ran the first-year Cincinnati franchise off of the field with five rushing touchdowns on the day. Donna Wilkinson led the team with 118 rushing yards and one touchdown, and LaShawn Foust chipped in 74 yards and two rushing scores of her own.
The Divas seldom needed to turn to the passing game, but the one lone highlight through the air was delivered by wide receiver Nikki Williams. Williams hauled in the only receiving touchdown of the game, a 60-yard bullet from quarterback Allyson Hamlin. Williams then celebrated the occasion in the end zone by doing a rendition of the “Ickey Shuffle”, popularized by Cincinnati Sizzle owner and former Bengals great Ickey Woods. Backup quarterback Kelly Wessels played most of the second half in relief of Hamlin and scored on a 65-yard scramble.
The Sizzle (2-5) were unable to get their offense going all day. Cincinnati finished the game with just 30 total yards and three first downs for the game. The D.C. defense forced five turnovers from the Sizzle, recovering two fumbles and intercepting three passes. Vickie Lucas continued her incredible season on defense by intercepting a Cincinnati pass and returning it for a touchdown.
For the third straight season, the Divas are one victory away from a perfect 8-0 regular season, with their final obstacle to the goal being their archrivals, the Baltimore Burn. In 2003, the Divas lost their perfect record when Baltimore upset them in the regular season finale, but the Divas prevailed over the Burn, 52-16, to cap an 8-0 record last year. The Divas will head to Baltimore next weekend in search of their 16th straight regular season victory.
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