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Pittsburgh Passion: Their Time Is Now!

By Larry Snyder

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As the clock wound down Saturday night at Cupples Stadium, it was time to revel in a perfect 8-0 record. The Pittsburgh Passion finished the 2015 home-part of their regular season schedule by shutting out the Washington Prodigy 49-0 on the South Side.

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Teresa Conn’s squad is 7-0 in the Independent Womens Football League and 8-0 overall this season. With the victory over the Prodigy, the Black and Gold clinched the 2015 Mid Atlantic Division title and their sixth division title overall. For the ninth time in the last 10 seasons, the Passion have made the playoffs.

The undisputed star in the win over Washington was Angela Baker. The Carnegie, Penna. native collected 188 all purpose yards on the evening. She rushed for 25-yards and added 77-yards receiving with one touchdown to the score sheet. The fourth-year wide receiver has gone over 1000 career receiving yards this season. The Slippery Rock University product was not done as she contributed on special teams by putting up 52-yards on punt returns and 34-yards on kick-off returns.

Since Week 1 of the 2014 season, through the playoffs which culminated in capturing the IWFL World Championship, and the eight victories this season, the Passion have won 19 in a row. Pittsburgh will open the IWFL Eastern Conference playoffs at home on Saturday, June 27 against long-time rival, the New York Sharks. Kick-off at Cupples Stadium on East Carson Street is set for 7 p.m.

The 2015 campaign has been another season of pride, integrity, focus, and determination. With one game left on the schedule, offensive coordinator Adam Santoro has seen his squad put up 327 points in league action so far this season.

On the other side of the line of scrimmage, defensive coordinator Janice Masters has seen her crew record three shutouts and permit a total of just 46 points. Let’s take a look back before the final game of the regular season at some of the milestones.

Quarterback Lisa Horton has thrown for over 1000 yards for the seventh time in her incredilbe career. The PNC Women of Legacy honoree has put up a new personal best with a record 26 touchdown passes this season.

Running back Tara Catone has smashed all rookie rushing records with a total of 1,063 yards on the ground. The Slippery Rock University product has contributed 11 touchdowns to the scoreboard. The previous rookie mark was eight scores during the regular season.

New York University Athletics Hall of Famer Rachel Wojdowski had three touchdown receptions against the Prodigy, which gives her a total of 10 on the season. The veteran wide receiver still has a shot at tying her all-time best of 13 scores which she accomplished in 2013.

One of many contributors on defense is defensive end Jessica Nelko, who had five tackles and one sack in the shutout against Washington. The Hopewell, Penna. native has a total of 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries over eight weeks of action.

One of the new faces for the Passion defense is rookie free safety Kim Beaver, who is third this season with 29 tackles. The East Liverpool, Ohio native is tied with fellow rookie defensive back Jillian Croce with three interceptions.

Placekicker Amy Fallon continues to be one of the best in the IWFL as she was a perfect seven for seven on extra points in last week’s victory over the Prodigy. The Washington & Jefferson College alum has been good for 40-of-42 on the season.

UP DATE: The Passion announced at noon Saturday the cancellation of their final regular season match-up on the road against the Baltimore Nighthawks. It does not alter the playoff schedule for next week.

Here is a look at the IWFL Playoff bracket and where the Passion are seeded…

Next: Which Steelers Games Are You Looking Forward To?

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