Team 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