Recap vs. Boston Militia – June 5, 2010
D.C. Divas Clinch Seventh Division Title Despite 52-36 Loss
Boston 52, DC 36
By Neal Rozendaal
Boston, MA – It wasn’t enough for a win, but it was enough for a division title.
The D.C. Divas fell to their archrivals, the Boston Militia, by a 52-36 score in Boston. Despite the loss, the Divas managed to clinch the Southeast Division championship thanks to two hard-fought efforts in defeat against their rivals.
The Militia (8-0) took the ball first and quickly drove down the field for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. But the Divas (5-3) showed that they weren’t going anywhere, returning the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a game-tying touchdown. The Militia scored their second touchdown of the game late in the first quarter to lead, 14-7, at the conclusion of the first period.
Things quickly went south for the visitors in the second period. The Militia tacked on a third touchdown to extend their lead to 21-7, and on the ensuing drive, the Militia blocked the Divas’ punt attempt and recovered the ball at the Divas 36-yard line. That gave Boston a short field, and Militia quarterback Allison Cahill rushed for a touchdown, putting the Militia on top, 27-7.
The Divas came back with a 59-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a running touchdown from Divas running back Okiima Pickett. Pickett’s nine-yard score cut the Divas’ deficit to 27-14. But late in the half, the Militia (8-0) cracked the Divas’ end zone again, with Boston running back Stacey Tiamfook rushing for the score. The Militia’s fifth touchdown of the half made the score 33-14 at intermission.
Boston continued to extend their advantage in the second half, using a fake punt to keep a drive alive early in the third quarter. The Militia broke the back of the Divas’ resistance with two straight touchdown passes from Cahill to Mia Brickhouse. Brickhouse’s second touchdown reception of the third quarter put the Militia well in front, 46-14.
The Divas, however, still put up a tough fight. Donna Wilkinson caught a pass for a touchdown, and the Divas trailed, 46-22, entering the fourth quarter. Early in the final period, Brickhouse ran for Boston’s final score of the night. The Divas blocked the extra point kick but found themselves behind, 52-22.
Two Militia fumbles assisted the Divas on their final two scores of the evening. Aketa Ogletree scooped up a Militia fumble and returned it 50 yards for the Divas’ fourth touchdown of the game. Ogletree’s score cut the deficit to 52-28. Moments later, the Militia fumbled again, and the Divas recovered at the Boston 16-yard line. The Divas scored on a rushing touchdown to make the final score 52-36.
The close loss was enough to hand the Divas their seventh division championship in team history. D.C.’s superior strength of schedule gave the 5-3 Divas the division championship over the 7-1 Atlanta Xplosion. The Divas have qualified for the playoffs and will host the Xplosion in an Eastern Conference semifinal game in D.C. next Saturday.
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