Recap vs. Boston Militia – July 10, 2010

Recap vs. Boston Militia – July 10, 2010

Boston Militia Blank Divas, 28-0
Boston 28, DC 0
By Neal Rozendaal

Boston, MA – Sometimes prayers are answered. This time, they weren’t.

For the first time in 79 straight games, the D.C. Divas failed to put a single point on the scoreboard, as they were shut out in the Eastern Conference championship game by the Boston Militia, 28-0. The Militia gained revenge for last season’s Eastern Conference title game, when a late touchdown allowed the Divas to claim the conference title over Boston by a 27-21 score.

There would be no late heroics for the Divas in this matchup. The Militia (10-0) controlled the time of possession with a methodical ground attack and advanced to the national championship game for the first time in their history. The Divas (6-4) were shut out for the first time since losing their 2002 season finale to the Baltimore Burn, 6-0.

The Militia went on top early in the game, taking the opening kickoff and driving right down the field for a rushing touchdown to go ahead, 7-0. Another Boston touchdown gave the Militia a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Meanwhile, the Divas were constantly going three-and-out on offense. The Divas offense managed to get their first first down of the game five minutes into the second quarter. “We played a very sound defensive game tonight,” Boston head coach Derrick Beasley said.

The third quarter was the epitome of the entire contest for the Divas. The Divas took the ball to start the second half, trailing, 14-0. The Divas’ offense failed to get a first down and punted the ball away. The Militia took possession and used running play after running play to march down the field. By the time Boston running back Mia Brickhouse finally ran into the end zone to extend the Militia lead to 21-0, there was less than one minute left on the clock in the third quarter.

Boston quarterback Allison Cahill rushed for the final touchdown of the game, and the Militia defense batted down a late Divas pass attempt to preserve the shutout win.