The Seattle Majestics blasted by the Sacramento Sirens 33-8 Saturday at Kent’s French Field.
The win was a major split in the rivalry between the Independent Women’s Football teams, who were both 2-0 before Saturday’s matchup.
It’s also put a decisive spin on the Majestics’ bid this year to be the Western Conference Champions of the IWLF, as well as their of taking the national championship in July.
“We were third in the nation last year,” said team co-owner Camille Head, who plays wide receiver. “This year we want to come in first.”
The Sirens started putting points on the board early in Saturday’s game, although the Majestics rallied and never looked back.
Sacramento scored first after they had deferred to the second half and kicked off to the Majestics. Head returned to the Majestics 29-yard line. Then the Siren defense intercepted a pass, and their offense took little time in scoring. The kick was good, but a Majestics’ penalty allowed another play and the run for two was good. The Sirens’ lead was 8-0.
Majestics quarterback Michael Volk then calmed her offense down, and led the Majestics’ 33-point charge.
The running back onslaught began. Rachel Gore, Shanna “The Rookie” McCarron, and Crystal “Air Force One” Sanderson pounded the ball down the field. Gore scored and McCarron kicked the point after. Seattle trailed after one quarter, 8-7.
The Majestics’ offense added Adrienne Wilson and Gretchen Pietras to the running arsenal and the running onslaught was on.
The Sirens’ defense stopped the Majestics’ outside running attack. But the Majestics changed tactics and found the middle of the Sirens’ deffense. Sanderson and Rachel Gore pounded on multiple long drives. They followed the offensive line’s blocking, running through the big holes created for them.
The Majestics’ defense also shut down Sacramento’s big running game. Seattle’s Kasey Rivas, Gail Pitman, Heather Gallenmore, Andreana Campolo, Shannon Fitch, Rachel Gore, Lisa Tavarez and Gretchen Pietras all had standout games.
Volk found a passing game with a touchdown pass to Head and the Majestics were up 13-8 at the half.
Both teams made adjustments, but the Majestics pulled out some long drives which ended in two scores by McCarron. The last score by Sanderson put the Majestics up 32-8. The conversion made it 33-8.
The Sirens were forced to play most of the game in their territory, punting to Head, who was able to get to the sideline multiple times and around the corner. Her longest runs were 22 and 27 yards.
Heather Gallemaor and Gretchen Pietras, the Majestics’ ends, were constantly disrupting the punter’s rhythm. In the game’s final minutes, Seattle kept going with running back Christine Lam and the offensive line running out the clock.
The Majestics’ next game is May 9 at French Field against the Portland Shockwave. Start time is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate for $18 (VIP), $12 (regular adult), $7 (youth), and $2 (seniors, military and students.)
Tickets also are available by going to the Seattle Mist Web site at www.theseattlemist.com.
