Recap vs. Philadelphia Firebirds – June 13, 2009

Recap vs. Philadelphia Firebirds – June 13, 2009

D.C. Divas Notch Fifth Perfect Regular Season With Win Over Philadelphia
DC 63, Philadelphia 0
By Rich Daniel

Landover, MD – The D.C. Divas completed their fifth perfect regular season in the last six years with a convincing victory over the visiting Philadelphia Firebirds.

The Divas (8-0) took a 6-0 lead on the second play of the game thanks to a three-yard run by fullback Claudia Hogan. The Firebirds (1-7) threw an interception on their next drive when Divas defensive back Vickie Lucas picked off a pass. Lucas’ pick gave the Divas offense a chance for their longest scoring drive of the night of just four plays. Nikki Williams’ second catch of the drive ended with a six-yard touchdown pass from Allyson Hamlin to make the score 13-0.

The Divas would score on their first three offensive possessions. Okiima Pickett continued her outstanding season with a three-yard touchdown run to make it 20-0 in favor of the Divas. Vickie Lucas turned the next Firebirds punt into a 57-yard touchdown thriller of a return, and the Divas led 26-0. Alison Fischer took the snap on the two-point conversion and ran in into the end zone for a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Divas put together a three-play drive to start the second quarter, and Pickett recorded her second touchdown from two yards out to give the Divas a 35-0 advantage.

The Divas’ defense pitched a shutout for the fourth game this season. Jay Hodge was in the Philadelphia backfield all night. She had a forced fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by Noa Bruckenthal, which led to the next DC score. Nikki Williams pulled in her second touchdown of the night on the next play from scrimmage. A one-play drive with a 20-yard tipped pass for a touchdown made it 42-0 for the Divas.

Backup quarterback Tracy Cabugao hit Meg Stensrud for 15 yards and her first career touchdown to give the Divas a 49-0 advantage at halftime.

The Divas started the second half with a bang, going ahead 56-0 on a 50-yard touchdown run. Okiima Pickett picked up her third rushing touchdown on the next possession with a 20-yard run, and the Divas led, 63-0.

The victory secured the Divas’ sixth division title in seven years with a total team effort.