Recap vs. Massachusetts Mutiny – July 9, 2005
D.C. Divas Advance To the Northern Conference Finals for Second Straight Year
DC 36, Massachusetts 6
By Rich Daniel
Recap • Statistics
Largo, MD – The undefeated D.C. Divas advanced to the Northern Conference championship game for the second straight year with a 36-6 conference semifinal playoff win over the visiting Massachusetts Mutiny. The Divas will once again face the three-time defending champion Detroit Demolition for the right to advance to the NWFA national championship game.
Mozette Timmons helped the Divas (9-0) set the tone early in the first quarter by blocking a Mutiny punt. Seven plays later, Allyson Hamlin found Rhonda Williams in the end zone on fourth and seven for the first score of the game. LaShawn Foust added the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.
The Mutiny (8-2) countered with a touchdown to close within 8-6. On the Divas’ next offensive possession, LaShawn Foust capped a 13-play drive with a 20-yard burst down the sideline for the Divas’ second touchdown of the contest. Kelly Wessels added the two-point conversion to make it 16-6.
Hamlin then caught fire with two more touchdown passes, one for 40 yards to Tara Kallal and another for 26 yards to Nikki Williams to run the Divas’ advantage to 30-6. Williams was named the game’s offensive MVP with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Hamlin recorded her best game of the season, going six of nine for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
Donna Wilkinson led a bruising running attack with 120 yards on 21 carries. Foust had a touchdown run to give the Divas early breathing room. Yolanda Thomas added a 38-yard scoring run for her first career touchdown to finish the Divas’ scoring.
The D.C. defense continued its outstanding year with Vickie Lucas adding two sacks, a blocked punt recovery, and a huge hit on fourth and one to stop a Massachusetts drive at the end of the third quarter. Dameka Reese continued a stellar comeback season with her second interception of the season, while Subrena Rivers added a fumble recovery to a Divas defense that has produced seven shutouts in nine games. The Divas’ defensive MVP was veteran linebacker Ivy Tillman.
The Divas have given up a league-low 18 points in nine contests this season, with the Mutiny holding the distinction of being the only team to score against the Divas this year. The Divas handed the Mutiny their only two losses of the year.
With the win, the Divas earn a rematch with the three-time defending NWFA champion Detroit Demolition. The Northern Conference championship game will be played in Detroit on Saturday, July 16, at 7 PM.
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