Gameday II – 3.8.
Game I - 10:00
Mexico vs. Australia
34-6
Team Mexico was able to defeat Team Australia convincingly 34-6, in the first game of Day 2 of the Women’s World Championships. Team Mexico showed a deep roster of talent by spreading the ball around on offense, and using a swarming mob-mentality defense to prevent the Team Australia offense from having much success throughout the game.
Team Mexico made their first play of the Women’s World Championships a memorable one! Mexico executed a double reverse, flea flicker pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to receiver Karla Machuca to gain 28 yards and start what would be an impressive 78-yard touchdown drive. Using a balanced attack of run and pass plays, Team Mexico was able to cap their first drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to runningback Andrea Romero. The extra point attempt was blocked by Team Australia, making the score MEXICO – 6, AUSTRALIA – 0.
Team Australia was not able to get much going against a strong Mexico defense that swarmed to the ball every play. Quarterback Isabella Paholek attempted a couple of passes, only to have her third attempt intercepted by defensive back Griscel Mondragon. When Team Mexico had the ball again, they wasted no time getting down the field again. This time, a 73-yard drive was capped with a 12 yard pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to running back Karla Granados. The extra point attempt was a successful pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to receiver Maria Pacheco, making the score MEXICO – 14, AUSTRALIA – 0.
The second quarter saw Team Australia’s offense struggle to put together consistent drives, even though there were glimpses of success from running back Casey Byrne, as well as quarterback Isabella Paholek with her legs. Team Mexico had no such struggles, as receiver Ana Barbosa exploded for multiple big plays, and quarterback Maria Cruz showed elusiveness in the pocket and a big arm on a few key plays.
Quarterback Maria Cruz connected with receiver Ana Barbosa in the back of the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown to account for Team Mexico’s only score of the second quarter. The two point conversion was unsuccessful, making the score MEXICO- 20, AUSTRALIA – 0 at halftime.
Team Austria did not waste any time in the second half, reaching the red zone on two consecutive drives to start the third quarter. On a crucial 4th & goal, running back Casey Byrne was able to bulldoze her way 4 yards into the endzone with the full help of her teammates pushing the pile. The two point conversion was unsuccessful, making the score MEXICO – 20, AUSTRALIA – 6.
Team Mexico was able to respond quickly with a 45-yard drive that ended with runningback Andrea Romero scoring a 3-yard touchdown. The two point conversion was a successful pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to receiver Maria Pacheco, making the score MEXICO – 28, AUSTRALIA – 6.
The final quarter of play did not have much movement, as both teams conceded to running the ball and trying to finish the game safely. Team Mexico scored the final points of the game, using a 12-yard pass from quarterback Maria Cruz to receiver Ana Barbosa. The two point conversion was unsuccessful, making the final score of the game MEXICO – 34, AUSTRALIA – 6.
Most Valuable Players
- Mexico – Quarterback Maria Cruz
- Australia – Defensive Back Shannon Whale
Top Performers
OFFENSE
- (Mex) QB, Maria Cruz – 20/34, 190 yds, 4 tds
- (Mex) RB, Maria Pacheco – 3 rush, 17 yds / 3 rec, 25 yds, 1 td
- (Mex) WR, Ana Barbosa – 5 rec, 73 yds, 2 td / 2 rush, 35 yds
- (Aus) RB, L Byrne – 13 rush, 45 yds, 1 td
DEFENSE
- (Mex) LB, Naomi Robles – 8 tkls
- (Mex) DL, Montserrat Millan – 4 tkls, 1 sack, 1 tfl
- (Mex) DL, Taysha Garcia – 4 tkls, 2 tfl
- (Aus) LB, Kelly Whitehead – 7.5 tkls, 1 tfl
- (Aus) DB, Laura St Ruth – 7 tkls, 1.5 tfl, 1 pbu
- (Aus) DB, Shannon Whale – 4 tkls, 2 int, 2 pbu
Game II - 13:00
Sweden vs. German
0-6
Game III - 16:30
USA vs. Finland
28-10
The USA will play in the WWC2022 final on Sunday
Team USA defeated Team Finland 28-10 in a highly contested game that saw multiple lead changes. Team Finland proved to be a worthy opponent, but Team USA proved why they are considered the top national team in the world.
Team Finland drew first blood in the first quarter, taking advantage of great field position. After moving the ball inside the Team USA 10 yard, defensive lineman Shanice Cole was able to sack Team Finland quarterback Emilia Räty to force a field goal attempt. Laura Pulkkinen had no problem making a 35 yard field goal, making the score USA – 0, FINLAND – 3.
Team USA would not be behind for long, driving 54 yards to score the first touchdown of the game. Running back D’Ajah Scott scored on a 15 yard toss play for Team USA’s first score. Alania Lange made the extra point to make the score USA – 7, FINLAND – 3 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams play bend but don’t break defense, stopping promising drives when it counted on 3rd & 4th downs. But Team Finland would not be denied once they decided to give the ball to their big running back Tytti Kuusinen. A 29 yard run by Kuusinen put Team Finland right outside of the red zone. A few plays later Tytti Kuusinen ran 9 yards into the endzone to give Team Finland the lead once again. Laura Pulkkinen made the extra point, making the score USA – 7, FINLAND – 10, which remained the score at halftime.
The second half belonged to Team USA, and only Team USA. Following a muffed punt by Team Finland, Team USA capitalized by scoring two plays later. Running back D’Ajah Scott scored on a 15 yard scamper to give Team USA the lead. Alania Lange made the extra point to make the score USA – 14, FINLAND – 10.
Team USA would never trail in the game, as they featured running back D’Ajah Scott heavily in the third quarter of play. Scott added one more 4-yard touchdown to bring her total to 3 touchdowns on the day. Another Alania Lange made extra point would make the score USA – 21, FINLAND – 10 at the end of the third quarter.
Team Finland played tough defense in the fourth quarter only allowing one score by Team USA, despite Team USA having favorable field position multiple times. The final score of the game happened on a 1 yard rush from Team USA running back Adriana Gutierrez. Alania Lange made the extra point to make the final score USA – 28, FINLAND – 10.
Most Valuable Players
- USA -Running Back D’Ajah Scott
- FINLAND – Linebacker Essi Saastamoinen
Top Performers
Offense
- (USA) QB, Brittney Bushman – 20/35, 189 yds
- (USA) RB, D’Ajah Scott – 17 rush, 71 yds, 3 tds
- (USA) WR, Stephanie Pascual – 4 rec, 42 yds
- (USA) WR, Angela Baker – 6 rec, 35 yds
- (Fin) RB, Tytti Kuusinen – 10 rush, 48 yds, 1 td
Defense
- (USA) LB, Carla Odom – 6 tkls
- (USA) DL, Quineshia Leonard – 4.5 tkls, 0.5 tkls
- (USA) DL, Shanice Cole – 4 tkls, 1 tfl, 1 sack
- (Fin) LB, Essi Saastamoinen – 11.5 tkls, 2 tfl
- (Fin) DB, Oona Tuomi – 7.5 tkls
- (Fin) DB, Hanna Ropanen – 7 tkls, 2 pbu
Game IV - 19:30
Canada vs. Great Britain
13-20
Team Great Britain defeated Team Canada 20-13 in a true semifinal showdown of the Women’s World Championships.
Both teams made tons of plays on both sides of the ball, constantly challenging their opponent to find ways to be successful on the field of play.
Both Team Canada and Team Great Britain got off to slow starts, with neither team being able to move the ball well against solid defenses. A high snap on a Team Great Britain punt attempt put Team Canada in position for an easy scoring opportunity. Running back Hanna McEwen scored on a 1 yard run to give Team Canada the first points of the game. Kristie Eliott made the extra point to make the score CANADA – 7, GREAT BRITAIN – 0.
Great Britain attempted to respond to the score with a long kickoff return that put them inside of Team Canada’s red zone. Instead of seizing the opportunity, Team Canada was able to force a fumble and avoid allowing any points. A few series later, Team Canada’s defense once again stepped up, with defensive back Harmine Leo picking off a pass from quarterback Sydney Green.
Not to be outdone, Team Great Britain’s defense was able to one-up their opponents with a pick six. Defensive back Lucy Peaty intercepted a Maude Lacasse pass and returned it 28 yards for Great Britain’s first score of the game. The extra point was unsuccessful, making the score CANADA – 7, GREAT BRITAIN – 6.
The second quarter would be more great defensive play between the two teams, until the last 39 seconds of the half. Team Great Britain would use those 39 seconds to score their second touchdown of the half, courtesy of quarterback Sydney Green on a 2 yard run. Samantha Reid made the extra point, making the score CANADA – 7, GREAT BRITAIN – 13 heading into halftime.
Team Canada opened the second half with a bang. Running back Kasey McCombs had a 49-yard gain to move Team Canada into Team Britain’s 1 yard line. A few plays later running back Sarah Wright scored a 1 yard touchdown for Team Canada. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, making the score CANADA – 13, GREAT BRITAIN – 13.
The score would remain tied while both teams traded turnovers and stalled drives. With 3:22 remaining in the game, Team Britain went on a 9 play, 40-yard drive to score the last points of the game. On 3rd & 9, quarterback Sydney Green connected with receiver Siobhan Walker for a 10 yard touchdown that would seal the game for Team Britain. Samantha Reid made the extra point, making the score CANADA – 13, GREAT BRITAIN – 20 with 2 seconds remaining on the clock.
Most Valuable Players
- Canada – Defensive Back Harmine Leo
- Great Britain – Defensive Back Phoebe Schecter
Top Performers
Offense
- (GB) QB, Sydney Green – 18/28, 140 yds, 1 td
- (GB) RB/WR, Siobhan Walker – 7 rush, 77 yds / 5 rec, 34 yds, 1 td
- (GB) WR, Jessica Anderson – 6 rec, 45 yds
- (Can) RB, Kasey McCombs – 8 rec, 70 yds
Defense
- (GB) DB, Phoebe Schecter – 9.5 tkls, 1 int
- (GB) DB, Lucy Peaty – 4.5 tkls, 1 int
- (Can) DL, Emilie Belanger – 9.5 tkls
- (Can) DB, Harmine Leo -7 tkls, 1 tfl, 2 int
