Pittsburgh Passion Downs Baltimore; Finish Season Undefeated
By Larry Snyder
When the final ticks came off the clock on Saturday night, it was time to celebrate an unblemished 8-0 record. The Pittsburgh Passion finished the 2014 season by taking down the Nighthawks 38-6 in Baltimore. It was the fourth time in team history they concluded the regular-season undefeated.
Pittsburgh remains tied for first place in the Independent Women’s Football League Mid-Atlantic Division with the Keystone Assault, who defeated the Washington Prodigy 39-20 on Saturday and also ended the season with an 8-0 mark.
It was the second week in a row and the sixth time this season that the prolific Pittsburgh offense put up 30 points or more on the scoreboard in a game. Lisa Horton, Angela Baker and Kara Prentice all served as quarterbacks during the contest and combined for 164 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Outside linebacker Sharon Vasquez hauled in her first receiving touchdown of her career while wide receiver Baker claimed two receiving scores. The ground game was not to be counted out as running back Ciara Chic and fullback Kadesha Clark each got into the end zone for a touchdown.
It should be noted that the Passion lit up the scoreboard for a total of 276 points this season while the shut-down defense allowed just 24 in eight contests.
The Black and Gold defense was led by a phenomenal performance by the defensive line. Kim Zubovic, Kaitlain Niedermeyer, Octaiva Griswold, and Sam Simeone won the battle in the trenches as they controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game.Niedermeyer and Griswold each recorded a fumble recovery on the scoresheet.
Special teams were integral on the afternoon as placekicker Amy Fallon booted the longest field goal of her career, a 33-yarder, while making five-for-five on extra points. She also set a team record with four field goals in a single-season.
For the eighth time in the last nine seasons, the Black and Gold have made the playoffs. Their first-round opponent along with game dates, times, and locations will be announced soon. The Women’s Football Foundation Championship Week will be held July 23-26 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.