MWFL: Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators and Moncton Vipers ready for battle in SupHer Bowl (Game LIVE STREAM on CFC 3pm)

After playing what was arguably their best game of the season in the semi-final and eliminating last year’s defending champions, the Saint John Storm, the only thing standing in the way of hoisting the Judy Upward Trophy is the Moncton Vipers.  The two teams are making final preparations before they take to the field this afternoon at Wanderer’s Grounds at 4:00pm AST in Halifax for the SupHer Bowl game.

Although injuries dictated the outcomes of the previous matchups against the Vipers, the Lady Gladiators are coming into the game in the best shape they have been all season.  The team hopes that the third time playing the Vipers will be the lucky.

“We are still in “recovery mode” and have to manage intensity levels in practice for some of our players that are nearing 100 percent,” explains Lady Gladiators head coach Steve Drisdelle.  “Injuries have been a challenge this year, and I feel we have been able to hold our own through the rough parts of the season.”

“I am confident that we will enter Halifax healthier than we were in both contests versus the Vipers and hopefully the healthiest we have been all year.”

As for the Vipers, they are looking to win for the first time since 2009.  The team has worked hard this week to prepare for what will be an entertaining game.

“We feel this year we have the teamwork and chemistry to make it happen,” comments Vipers acting head coach and quarterback Jenny Miller.  “We believe in the talent of our team and the heart each player possesses for the game.”

“We will be ready to face the Gladiators in the final and believe it will be one of the best games of the season!”

The Vipers came on strong as the season progressed and hopes to continue doing what has worked for them so that they can be successful in their quest to hoist the championship trophy.

“The Vipers have continually shown improvement over the regular season,” assesses Miller.  “They have stepped up their game and adapted well to each opponent.”

“Moncton is a dynamic team with the ability to key in on weaknesses and take control of each game.”

While the team will use their strengths of teamwork and continual focus as their key game strategy, they know that the Lady Gladiators are obstructing their path to victory.  However, they are prepared in tackling whatever their opponents will bring to the field later this afternoon.

“We will stay ready and not stop playing until the final whistle,” says the Vipers acting head coach.  “Our coaches and players are prepared for what Fredericton can bring and we are taking nothing for granted as this game can go either way, and the team that shows up to do the job right could take it all.”

“We plan on being that team as the Vipers are due and we will not let this one go without one hell of a battle!”

Quick Facts:

-A new MWFL champion will be crowned Saturday

-The Vipers and Lady Gladiators have previously faced each other twice in the regular season with the Vipers winning both games.

-Both teams met in the 2011 semi-final game, with the Lady Gladiators winning the game in the dying minutes.

-Vipers are the first seed as they had a 5-1 record this season and defeated the Halifax Xplosion in the semi-finals to punch their ticket to the SupHer Bowl Game.

-Lady Gladiators are the third seed as they had a 2-4 record; however, they upset last year’s defending champions, the Saint John Storm to make it to the big dance.

Coaches:
Vipers:

Jenny Miller (captained and been team pivot all eight seasons, been with team since 2005, took over as acting head coach in 2012)

Lady Gladiators:
Steve Drisdelle (coaching team since 2006)

Players to Watch:
Vipers:

RB/S Marie-Noelle Beaulieu
WR/RB/LB/S/K Tara Keohan
RB/WR/LB Justine Barter
QB Jenny Miller
RB/LB Tina Theriault
K/WR Janelle Brine
LB/DL Karen Newcombe
DE Melanie Arsenault

Lady Gladiators:

QB/S/Special Teams Alex Black
LB/FB Kristen Chatterton
WR Jill Blanchard
T/DE Robyn Neill
LB/DE Edna Jewett
SB/DB/Special Teams Michelle McLeod

Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators Photos Courtesy of Andrew Allaby
Moncton Vipers Photos Courtesy of Moncton Vipers Facebook Team Page/MWFL League

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