IWFL: Pittsburgh Passion Building Milestones With Each Victory
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Passion seek to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games in defense of their Independent Womens Football League championship when they host the Washington Prodigy this evening at Cupples Stadium.
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For the fans gathering along East Carson Street, it is the final regular season home contest and Alumni Night. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on the South Side.
Week in and week out, Teresa Conn’s squad reminds everyone that this is their time. The Passion are 6-0 in the IWFL and 7-0 overall. They remain in first place in the Mid Atlantic Division. Last Saturday, the Black and Gold’s high-octane offense, under coordinator Adam Santoro, put up 63 points at home against the Toledo Reign in a rematch from Week 1. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh defense, under coordinator Janice Masters, claimed their second shutout of the season and the 43rd in team history.
“Every step is identical,” Conn told Alex Woodin of the Post-Gazette. “We try to get out there and prepare all three phases — offense, defense and special teams. We look at what they do on film, we put together our best game plan and practice it all week, and we hope it works out Saturday.”
Lisa Horton shows no signs of slowing down as she continues to add her name to the Passion record books. The veteran quarterback completed 6-of-9 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns against Toledo. The Middleburgh Heights, Ohio native has thrown for 1,062 yards this season and it is the seventh season that she has passed for over 1,000 yards.
Wide receiver Angela Baker hauled in one pass for 33 yards in the victory over Toledo. The Carnegie, Penna. native ran the ball twice for 36 yards and a touchdown. Coming into tonight’s matchup, the Slippery Rock University product is just three yards shy of 1000 career receiving yards.
The ground attack also saw Tara Catone contribute seven carries for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Reign. There has not been a defense yet to put the brakes on the Catone Train as the rookie running back from Irwin, Penna. has rushed for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Pittsburgh saw their defense take command of the gridiron against Toledo. Defensive end Jessica Nelko led the way with nine tackles on the night. Linebacker Olivia Griswold was a force to be reckoned with as she put up six tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.
The maximum team effort on defense also came from rookie free safety Kim Beaver, who tallied four tackles and one interception while linebacker Tia Montgomery added six tackles of her own and a sack.
Special teams for the Passion got the job done in the win over the Reign as placekicker Amy Fallon was 9-of-9 on extra points. The Washington & Jefferson College product is 33/35 on extra points this season. A pair of rookies, Rosie Christian and Jessica Melodia, each had four tackles on special teams.
Last week, the Washington offense got down to business and found their stride behind quarterback Lillian Dromgold as they downed the Baltimore Nighthawks 24-0 at home in a “Battle of the Beltway.” This week the Prodigy defense, led by linebacker Tiffany Matthews and defensive linemen Donnell Finnaman and Mildred Williams, will have their work cut out for them as they try to contain the Passion’s potent offense.
Up Next: The Passion conclude the regular season Saturday, June 20 on the road against the Nighthawks in Baltmore. The match-up is set to get underway at 4 p.m. and will be held at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Pittsburgh defeated the ‘Hawks 31-0 last season at Cupples Stadium.
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