Force Tue Jul 29 2008
In case you were wondering, the Chicago Force were unable to make it a picture perfect season, falling to the Dallas Diamonds 35-29 in overtime in the IWFL Championship game this past Saturday at North Park University. The loss left the Force with a 10-1 overall record (including the playoffs). The Force were done in by the stellar ball carrying of Dallas' RB Jessica Springer, who rush for nearly 240 yards, including 42 yards on the game-winning drive.
The Force scored on two touchdowns by Melissa Smith, who ran it in on runs of one and 11 yards, and a three-yard run, an eight-yard pass and a two point conversion, all by Sami Grisafe.
- Ken Green |
Force Mon Jul 14 2008
They're not making it easy on their fans, but the scrappy Chicago Force are title-bound.
Posting another narrow, nail-biting victory, the Force advanced to the Independent Women's Football League Championship game with a slim 8-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Passion over the weekend at North Park University to win the Eastern Conference Championship. The victory propels the Force to their first IWFL title game, where they'll face the Dallas Diamonds on Saturday, July 26. You can read about the game here.
The win kept the Force's perfect record intact as they improved to 10-0 on the season. But Dallas may present them with their toughest challenge yet. The Diamonds defeated the Seattle Majestics by a whopping 38-6 to gain a berth in the title game.
One big advantage for the Force is the location of the championship game: North Park University's Holmgren Athletic Complex, the Force's home field.
- Ken Green |
Force Mon Jun 30 2008
While the rest of the city was focused on a bunch of guys meeting up in a South Side park, another local team was moving one step closer to a championship on the other side of town.
Surviving a scare, the Chicago Force narrowly defeated the Detroit Demolition 8-7 Saturday to advance in the Independent Women's Football League. You can read the recap here. The victory not only improved the Force to a perfect 9-0 record, but propelled them into the Eastern Conference title game against the Pittsburgh Passion (also undefeated), set for July 12. The Force, who clinched homefield advantage for the entire playoffs, will host the Passion at North Park University’s Holmgren Athletic Complex, 3225 W. Foster Ave.
The Force used a gutsy move at the end to clinch the victory, opting for the two-point conversion attempt rather than a field goal, with less than three minutes left.
Should the Force advance to the IWFL title game, they won't have far to travel to participate. That game was already slated to be held at Holmgren Complex as well.
- Ken Green |
Force Wed Jun 04 2008
The Chicago Force clinched the division title in a 40-0 victory over the Clarksville Fox. From the recap:
The Force kicked off and established their defensive domination on Clarksville’s first possession. Crisp tackling by S, Linda Bache, DE, Amanda Malsch, and a crunching hit by LB, Darcy Leslie set the tone that the Fox had no answer for. The Force didn’t waste any time when they touched the ball for the first time at the Fox 42 yard line. RB sensation Melissa Smith, who the Fox defense found out in a hurry that one player can’t bring her down, ran the ball 4 straight times highlighted by a 28 yard sweeping run from the left side, that proved to be the winning score. Carolyn Lee whose been almost perfect since taking over the extra point duties two weeks ago, made the score 7-0. Lee followed with a kick off deep into Fox territory at their 10 yard line. Swarming defense by LB’s Jessica McPeake, Tricia Charbonneau, Leslie, and Bache, resulted in four and out. Smith, named game day MVP, ran the ball on three consecutive calls, and bulldozed her way through from 1 yard out for her second TD on the day. All told, Smith finished with 89 yards on 14 carries. Lee made the score 14-0 with just under 6 minutes to go in the first quarter.
QB, Sami Grisafe who seems to be finding her rhythm, made the score 20-0 when she made a great fake inside that froze the Fox defense. Allowing her to roll out right and hit a wide open TE, Kim Marks in the end zone. Bache named defensive game day MVP, got her first of two interceptions on the day, at the Force 28. Two big pass completions from Grisafe to WR, Brandi Srda of 30 and 21 yards, set up a beautiful 21 yard TD strike to WR, Albi Zhubi to make the score 28-0 at halftime. Fullback Bridget Fahrner got into the scoring column at 6:13 of the third after 4 straight runs of 9, 13, 5 and right up the middle from two yards out thanks to a good block by offensive tackle Keesha Brooks. The final tally of the game was one for the highlight reel. With 2:38 to go and the Fox pinned back in their zone McPeake despite a broken finger blocked the punt attempt at the three. Leslie picked it up and dove into the end zone to the delight of the screaming capacity home crowd. “I wasn’t thinking about the injury, explained McPeake. “I just try to go hard on every play. I was fortunate to get my hand on the ball.”
The Force play the last game of the regular season on June 14, taking on the Wisconsin Wolves. They hope to maintain their perfect record heading into the divisional playoffs. The IWFL championships will take place in Chicago at North Park University in July, which would give the Force home crowd advantage should they make it all the way.
- Andrew Huff |
