Part of Militia history

Canadian Sarson part of Militia’s historic national title victory

As the Boston Militia become the first franchise in the history of the Women’s Football Alliance to capture two national titles (along with its other title from the IWFL), the club boasts some proud Canadian content. Donning number 67 for the Militia, which is appropriate considering that Canada was formed in 1867, Kristen Sarson felt tremendous elation after the squad bested the San Diego Surge by a 69-34 in the 2014 edition of the WFA National Title Game.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the championship experience was the fact that Militia CEO and owner Ernie Boch Jr. (a prominent automobile dealer) provided a private jet to and from Chicago (the location of the national title game) for all members of the team. It was an ample reward for a sensational playoff run for Sarson and her teammates, which saw the Militia defeat its four postseason opponents by an average of 35 points per game.

A starting inside linebacker and special-teams player for the Militia, Sarson was part of a bruising defense that helped the Militia climb out to a 49-14 halftime lead, putting the game out of reach for San Diego, who had averaged a league-high 63 points per game. Among Sarson’s efforts in the national title game, she would stuff San Diego’s attempt at a two-point conversion.

Honored as a first-team WFA All-American this year, Sarson first joined the Militia prior to their 2011 national title run. Since then, she has emerged as a defensive stalwart, giving the opponents who visit the Militia’s home field at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Massachusetts many frustrating experiences.

Taking into account part of her youth was spent in England, Sarson still carries traces of a British accent. It has earned her nicknames among Militia teammates such as Fish and Chips, along with Beefy (in reference to Beefeater Gin). Another quality that Sarson has earned with her teammates is respect. One of Sarson’s best qualities is her commitment to hard work, setting a positive example, as she works towards giving the team a chance to win.

When not on the gridiron, Sarson is an environmental scientist at GeoInsight Inc., where the uniform includes a hard hat, protective boots and sampling containers. As a side note, one of her colleagues at GeoInsight had a background in club rugby.

Having attended Bedord High School in the United States, she moved to England from Canada when she was only three years old. Of note, she has citizenship in all three countries. In her preteens, the family relocated to Billerica, where she would become a three-sport captain at BHS, earning Dual Country All-Star nods in lacrosse and volleyball. In addition, her sister Lauren, was a teammate in volleyball.

Of note, her postsecondary education involved coming north of the border to prestigious Wilfrid Laurier University. Measuring in at 5-foot-7, her athletic engagements for the WLU Golden Hawks included a sterling lacrosse career.

Her time with the Golden Hawks lacrosse program involved several milestones. Sarson was a key leader who would contribute to a 26-game unbeaten streak. In her junior campaign (2008), she would score a goal in the Ontario University Athletics championship game as the program enjoyed its sixth consecutive title. During her academic stay, she also sandwiched in four seasons of flag football, competing as a defensive end and at the centre positions.

She would finish the 2014 WFA regular season tied for the team lead with Tomi Gibson in quarterback sacks. In addition, she ranked seventh on the Militia in total tackles, only 11 behind team leader Erin Diette. In terms of tackles for loss, she would tie with Diette for second on the team, trailing Vicky Eddy by just two. Sarson and Diette would tie again in another statistical category, as both led the club in fumble recoveries. It is the type of football performances that has not only earned her two WFA national titles, but gained her fans on both sides of the border.