Maritime Women’s Football League (MWFL) week 4 recap

After week four action, the Saint John Storm continues to lead the Maritime Women’s Football League (MWFL) standings.

The Storm’s undefeated record remains intact after the team cruised by the Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators 35-1 intheir season home opener over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Moncton Vipers were able to secure their third straight win with a convincing 51-0 victory over the Halifax Xplosion.

Here are the results from Week four action:

Saint John Storm 35, Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators 1:

At K.V. High School in a late Saturday afternoon game, the Saint John Storm defeated the Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators 35-1 in the second of a home and home series between the two teams. The Storm had a new appearance on offence (not to mention new uniforms) and the unit’s production on the field would be the turning point of the game.

In the first quarter, Lori Boyles got the Storm on the scoreboard with as she rushed into the end zone for and 18 yard major. Rookie Meghan Mullet was successful on the conversion attempt. Boyles scored the second touchdown in the same quarter on a five yard run and the conversion attempt was good as the Storm built up a 14-0 lead.

To start the second quarter, the Lady Gladiators had a rouge on a punt by Renee Hachey to gain a point. However, the Storm found the end zone againas Lisa Harlow scored on a four yard touchdown run while Mullet was successful on her third conversion attempt of the game. Then, Boyles scored once again, this time on a 20 yard reception from quarterback Michelle Young Mather.

At the half, the Storm led 28-1. Late in the fourth quarter, Boyles scored her fourth touchdown of the game on a five yard run while Mullet was successful on her fifth conversion attempt to round out the point totals.

Defensively for the Storm, Trina Graves and Ashlee Clements each recorded a fumble recovery. Clements and Mullet registered two sacks apiece. The defensive unit of the Lady Gladiators caught an interception and recorded a gang sack in the game.

With this victory, the Storm remain undefeated and atop of the standings with a 4-0 record. As a result of the loss, the Lady Gladiators are in third place in the league standings with a 1-3 record.

“Saint John added an air attack at key times and pounded the ground with an aggressive offensive line,” comments defensive coordinator Larry Harlow in his postgame assessment. “The defense had the rhythm and laid some big hits down.”

“Fredericton played hard but just couldn’t find any holes and mishandled the ball on sweep attempts.”

Players of the game were Boyles for the Storm and Hachey for the Lady Gladiators.

The Saint John Storm will take their undefeated record on the road to face the Halifax Xplosion in a game on Saturday June 23rd, 2012 at Wanderers Grounds. Kickoff is 4:00pm. As for the Lady Gladiators, the team will try to get back into the win column in a matchup against the Moncton Vipers on Saturday June 23rd at Scotia North. Game time is 4:00pm

Moncton Vipers 51, Halifax Xplosion 0:

In a late Saturday afternoon game at Rocky Stone Field, the Moncton Vipers improved their regular season record by defeating the Halifax Xplosion 51-0.

The Vipers amassed 482 all-purpose yards and 370 rushing yards in the game. Marie-Noelle Beaulieu led the offensive change as she scored four touchdowns including a 90 yard score while amassing 257 rushing yards on nine carries. Furthermore, Jessica Heap found the end zone twice while carrying the ball four times for 45 yards while Ashley Starr had 48 receiving yards on two receptions and scored a touchdown. Justine Barter chipped in with a 27 rushing yards and a score.

Defensively, the Vipers had a total of 43 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Tina Theriault led the way with nine tackles while Christina Bernard had seven tackles. Heather LeBlanc contributed by catching an interception, recovering a fumble and also registering five tackles in the game. Karen Newcomb had three tackles and a pass deflection while Karen Lewis chipped in with three tackles and a sack. Mel Arsenault registered two sacks and two tackles while Tina Hetherington rounded out the defensive contributions by catching an interception and a single tackle.

Jenny Miller, the Vipers acting head coach says both units were effective in the victory.

“The win was attributed to the Vipers’ ability to stay focused and perform as a team,” explains Miller. “We were able to work with new players to develop their play and we have seen improvement across the board.”

“We were impressed by the defence stepping up and getting into the backfield to make plays while the offense mixed up the backfield and saw phenomenal performances from individuals that are new to the position.”

With this win, the Vipers are in second place in the league standings with a 3-1 record. As for the Halifax Xplosion, the team are still in search of a win and are at the bottom of the standings with a 0-4 record.

“The Xplosion have improved since the last time we played them and if they continue to play and practice hard they will be a force in this league,” adds Miller of the Vipers’ opponent.

Even though the Vipers have won three straight games in an impressive fashion, there are still some areas the team needs to improve on as the season rolls along.

“We need to improve on our aggressiveness,” says Miller. “There is always room for improvement and we are always working towards perfection.”

The Moncton Vipers will look to go for four consecutive victories as the team is set to take on the Fredericton RV World Lady Gladiators in a game on Saturday June 23rd, 2012 at Scotia North. Game time is 4:00pm. Meanwhile, the Halifax Xplosion will be looking to finally get into the win column as they host the league leading Saint John Storm on Saturday June 23rd at Wanderer’s Grounds. Kickoff is 4:00pm.

(Photos/logo courtesy of the Maritime Women’s League (MWFL) facebook page and website.)

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