Breen Phillips 19, Walsh 14
By ALEXANDRA LANE
Sports Writer
Breen Phillips topped Walsh in a close 19-14 game Sunday to record its first win of the season.
Walsh was leading after a close first half, marked by great defense by both Breen Phillips (1-5) and the Wild Women (1-5). However, the Babes, led by freshman quarterback Emily Affinito, fought back to take the lead after halftime.
On the Babes' first possession of the second half, Affinito ran 40 yards for a touchdown. The next time her team had possession, Affinito completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Molly Toner.
"Emily was the star of the game for us," senior captain and linebacker Monica McNerney said. "She has really turned into a good quarterback this season, and she's only a freshman, so it's only going to get better."
McNerney said her team was excited to get its first win.
"This was our best game of the season," she said. "Everything came together, and we ended the season strong."
Walsh's junior receiver and captain Maggie Fisher said she and her team were hoping for a better conclusion to their season.
"We should have won this game," Fisher said. "We're not happy with the officiating, and we were missing some key players."Despite that, Fisher said she was still happy with the Wild Women's effort.
"I think we played well overall," Fisher said.
This was the last game of the season for both teams.
Contact Alexandra Lane at
alane2@nd.edu
Pasquerilla East 31, Badin 0
By MATTHEW GARCIA
Sports Writer
The defense of playoff-bound Pasquerilla East shut down the Badin offense 31-0 in a statement win.
The Pyros (5-1) ended the season on a high note, with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Junior quarterback Macy Mulhall capped off the regular season by completing six of eight pass attempts for 67 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 49 yards on the ground. Freshman cornerback Maddie McGovern played a key role on defense and special teams with two interceptions totaling 37 yards, a punt return of the same length and a key pass deflection.
Senior receiver Bethany Young added her first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard pass late in the fourth quarter.
Looking forward to the postseason, senior defensive lineman and captain Caroline Kuse said she is excited to see what her team can do.
"Our defense is on fire," Kuse said. "I am jacked up and ready to go after it."
The Bullfrogs (0-6) could not capitalize on some big plays, including a 38-yard rush by freshman receiver Melange Gavin. A first drive that saw two sacks, one by way of a fumbled snap, and ended in an interception indicated of things to come.
Sophomore quarterback and captain Tina Techar ran for 42 yard but also threw three interceptions. Senior defensive lineman Morgan Benson said even in the winless season, the leadership of senior Kelly Harmon was still inspiring.
"If we had a team of Kelly Harmon[s], we would have went all the way," Benson said.
The Pyros will look to bring their momentum into the quarterfinals against Howard, while Badin will head into the offseason.
Contact Matthew Garcia at mgarci15@nd.edu
Farley 13, Cavanaugh 6
By REBECCA ROGALSKI
Sports Writer
In Sunday's head-to-head matchup between Cavanaugh and Farley, the Finest (2-4) emerged victorious, defeating the Chaos (3-3) 13-6.
The Finest came strong out of the gate, rushing the ball down the field each possession. Sophomore receiver Theresa Kozelka helped Farley take the lead, scoring both of the team's touchdowns in the first half. Senior captain and receiver Lauren Ladowski pushed the offense down the field with clutch catches and carries throughout the game.
"We really came out to play in this matchup," Ladowski said. "We didn't let our record affect us and just gave it our all and left our hearts out on the field."
Despite the win, the Finest finish with a losing record and will not be in contention for post-season playoffs.
Cavanaugh made a run to tie the game in the last minutes of the fourth quarter, driving the ball down the field, but was stopped just short of the first down on a fourth-and-eight play. Captain and senior linebacker Meaghan Ayers said she noticed a few key mistakes that kept the Chaos from securing victory.
"I think our main issues in this matchup were the lack of communication and awareness," Ayers said. "Whenever we misread a play or didn't communicate correctly with one another, Farley was able to capitalize."
Ayers said Cavanaugh will need to play better if they hope to advance in the playoffs.
"The team really hopes to turn things around [in the playoffs] and make improvements all around to assure that we are in the best shape possible," Ayers said.
The Chaos will have an opportunity to show off their improvements in the quarterfinals Sunday against Pangborn, while the Finest have completed their season.
Contact Rebecca Rogalski at rrogalsk@nd.edu
Ryan 41, Welsh Family 0
By ALEX CARSON
Sports Writer
Ryan was firing on all cylinders Sunday as they recorded a 41-0 victory over Welsh Family behind a strong performance from freshman quarterback Kathleen Conaty.
The Wildcats (5-0-1) marched down the field on their first possession, scoring on a five-yard rush by Conaty. They led 7-0 after the first quarter before exploding for 21 points in the second behind two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown from sophomore running back Sarah Morris to grab a 28-0 lead at the halfway point.
"Kathleen [Conaty] did a great job of reading the defense," senior captain and offensive linesman Andrea Carlson said. "[Sophomore wide receiver] Erin Clark had some awesome touchdown grabs, and our offense communicated very well. We were looking to put up big numbers for our last regular season game, and we did that. Our defense had some great stops, and we're ready for the playoffs."
Conaty threw for another touchdown on the first Wildcat possession of the first half to go up 35-0 before the Whirlwinds (2-4-0) got a stop on an interception from junior defensive back Taylor Reck. Whirlwinds senior captain and linebacker Carissa Henke said she was disappointed in the loss but also she was proud of her team, especially the seniors.
"We came together as a team and while things didn't really go our way today, we worked hard and gave it all we've got," Henke said. "I'd really like to thank my fellow seniors Andrea Cescolini, Julia Concelman, Stephanie Lobaccaro, Jill Briody and Katie Knapp for playing amazing this year."
A final Conaty touchdown pass finished the scoring for the Wildcats, who were able to keep the ball in the Whirlwind's half of the field for all but the opening three plays of the game.
Ryan will face Lyons in the quarterfinals next Sunday, while Welsh Family will look toward next season.
Contact Alex Carson at
acarson1@nd.edu
Pangborn 34, McGlinn 7
By JOSE FERNANDEZ
Sports Writer
In the final game of the regular season, Pangborn played like a team ready for a championship run as it beat McGlinn 34-7.
The Phoxes (5-0-1) stormed out the gates and took a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and did not look back as they kept scoring at will against the Shamrocks (2-4). Senior captain and offensive lineman Mary Kate Veselik praised her team's effort, especially the offensive side of the ball.
"We played a great game overall, but our offense stood out today," Veselik said. "I am excited for this team and the potential we have to make a playoff run."
Pangborn's near flawless offensive performance was aided by the play of junior quarterback Caitlin Gargan. The do-it-all quarterback led the team with four total touchdowns as she continually beat McGlinn's defenders with both her arm and her legs. Gargan said, however, that it was her teammates who made her great performance possible.
"We have a complete offense, so we can mix it up as much as we like," Gargan said. "As long as we limit mistakes and play as a team, the sky's the limit."
After winning the championship the past two seasons, McGlinn ended this season just before the playoffs. Senior captain and receiver Tara Crown looked back at the season positively, however, as she praised her team's dedication and heart.
"We had a tough season, one unfortunately cut short," Crown said. "I hope McGlinn can get back to its winning ways next year, but this team showed its heart every game, and I'm proud of that."
Pangborn hopes to continue its success heading into the playoffs next Sunday against Cavanaugh, while McGlinn looks to retool for next season.
Contact JoséFernández at jfernan9@nd.edu
Pasquerilla West 32, Lewis 0
By RENEE GRIFFIN
Sports Writer
Pasquerilla West completed an undefeated regular season Sunday with a decisive win over Lewis, shutting the Chicks (2-4) out 32-0.
The Purple Weasels (6-0) showed off their potent passing attack, as freshman receiver Monica Busse caught two touchdowns and freshman receiver Elle Steichen made one.
The Pasquerilla West defense also played a major part in the victory, scoring more points than they allowed on sophomore cornerback Bernie Jordan's interception return for a touchdown.
Senior captain and linebacker BreeziToole said she was pleased with her team's performance and improvement all season and looks forward to the playoffs.
"I think that we worked well together as a team," Toole said. "We've come so far from our first practice to here and I'm just proud of the way everyone's grown. We're going to have normal practices this week and tighten up any mistakes we made to make sure we're starting off with our best game in the playoffs."
Meanwhile, the loss ended Lewis' season. However, senior captain and receiver Colleen Haller said she thinks the Chicks will be back with a vengeance next season.
"It didn't go our way, obviously, but I hope the girls had fun, and it was fun just to play for the last time," Haller said. "We were able to get a lot of girls playing time, as well as teach them, since we had so many freshmen. I definitely think they'll be prepared for next year."
The undefeated Purple Weasels will face Welsh Family in the first round of the playoffs Sunday, while Lewis is done for the year.
Contact Renee Griffin at
rgriffi6@nd.edu
