KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team captured the program's fourth straight KCAC Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 27-8 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University. The final of the tournament was held at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Braves received the ball to start the game and didn't waste any time taking the lead. Ottawa opened the game with a seven play, 66 yard scoring drive that ended in an 11 yard touchdown pass from
Madysen Carrera to
Marley Spielberg. The extra point attempt was good and the Braves had a 7-0 lead with 8:03 to go in the first quarter.
On the Coyotes first offensive possession, KWU moved the ball to the OU 11 yard line. The Ottawa defense stiffened, forcing four straight incompletions and the Braves took over on downs.
Ottawa marched the ball down the field on its second offensive possession of the game with Carrera completing 6-of-7 passes. Her final completion of the drive was a one yard touchdown pass to
Bailey Hodgins and Ottawa led 13-0 with 6:58 remaining in the first half.
The Coyotes again moved the ball into Ottawa territory and had a second and eight from the OU 28 yard line. For the second straight series, the Brave defense held and forced a turnover on downs.
The Braves were not able to find the end zone on their third possession with the ball and were forced to punt with 28 seconds left in the first half. OU's defense didn't allow the Coyotes to cross midfield and OU took a 13-0 lead into the locker room.
Kansas Wesleyan had the ball to start the second half. Four plays in, the OU defense came away with the pick.
Cynthia Homs intercepted the ball at the Coyote 35 yard line, returning it to KWU's 16.
The OU offense took advantage of the excellent field position. Carrera threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Jazlyn Camcho. The extra point attempt was good and with 8:57 on the clock, Ottawa led 20-0.
The teams exchanged punts and KWU had the ball with 2:39 left in the third on its own 14 yard line. Four plays into the drive the Braves recorded the take away.
Teliyah McInnis intercepted the KWU quarterback, and the Ottawa offense took over on the Coyote 30 yard line.
Ottawa's offense took advantage of the excellent field position, finding the end zone for the fourth time. Carrera threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Camacho. The extra point attempt was good and the Braves led 27-0 with 7:45 to go in the game.
Both teams turned the ball over on downs and KWU took over on its own 18 yard line with 1:50 left in the contest. The Coyotes put together a six play, 62 yard scoring drive. Chihiro Iwata threw a three yard touchdown pass to Aaliyah Young and KWU converted the two point conversion with four seconds left in the game.
Ottawa snapped the ball one more time and ran out the clock, taking the 27-8 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa had 215 yards of offense, 227 yards through the air and (-) 12 yards rushing. Kansas Wesleyan had 212 yards of offense, 32 yards rushing and 180 yards passing.
- Madysen Carrera was 24-32 through the air for 229 yards and four touchdowns.
- Jazlyn Camacho led the Braves with six receptions for 82 yards. She had two touchdowns.
- Marley Spielberg and Bailey Hodgins had four receptions apiece. Spielberg finished the game with 54 receiving yards and a touchdown. Hodgins had a touchdown reception.
- Jukanie Washington had six flag pulls.
- Susann Kaufmann tallied five flag pulls and one pass break up.
- Cynthia Homs finished the game with an interception and two pass break ups.
Who is Next
Ottawa (13-4) will now compete in the NAIA Women's Flag Football Finals, May 7-10 in Atlanta, Ga.
