RIVERSIDE, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team earned its fifth straight NAIA Women's Flag Football Finals championship with a 34-20 win over Keiser University on Thursday afternoon at the KC Current Practice Facility. Tatiana Dos Santos broke the school record for single game receptions with 15.
Jukanie Washington was named MVP of the game.
Ottawa struck first, scoring on its first offensive possession of the game. The Braves 10 play, 66 yard scoring drive ended in an eight yard touchdown pass from
Madysen Carrera to
Jaida Bayron. The Carrera extra point was good and OU led 7-0.
The Seahawks answered with a 10 play, 66 yard scoring drive of their own. The extra point attempt, however, was no good and the Braves led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Braves increased their lead at the start of the second quarter. Carrera scored from one yard out, giving Ottawa the 13-6 lead. After the two teams exchanged punts, Keiser took over on its own 17 yard line.
The Seahawks cut the Brave lead to one with a five play drive. The extra point attempt was no good and OU took a 13-12 into the locker room.
Keiser had the ball to start the third quarter. It didn't take long for the OU defense to give its offense the ball with good field position. On the second play of the KU drive,
Jukanie Washington picked off the KU quarterback and the Ottawa offense took over at the Keiser nine yard line.
Two plays later, OU was in the end zone. Carrera thew a five yard touchdown pass to
Addison Orsborn. The extra point attempt was good and OU led 20-12.
OU's offense would get the short field once again. On the first play of the KU's next drive,
Cynthia Homs intercepted the pass and OU took over on the Seahawk 10 yard line.
Ottawa crossed the goal line once again with a Tatiana Dos Santos touchdown reception. The Carrera extra point attempt was good and OU led 27-12.
OU's defense forced a third straight Keiser turnover on the Seahawks next offensive possession. On the sixth play of the KU drive,
Cynthia Homs broke up the pass and Washington recorded the interception.
Ottawa's offense was unable to convert a fourth and four, turning the ball over on downs. Keiser was able to cut into the Brave lead on its fourth offensive possession of the second half and OU led 27-20 at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Braves were able to answer Keiser's score with one of their own. Carrera threw a four yard touchdown pass to Orsborn. The extra point was good and the Braves had a 34-20 lead.
The Ottawa defense forced its fourth interception of the game on the Seahawks next offensive possession.
Mya Quinn intercepted the pass in the end zone and OU received the ball on its own 14 yard line.
OU punted and Keiser took over on its own 24 yard line. Keiser drove the ball to the OU 16 yard line. Washington broke up the pass on Keiser's final play of the game and OU took the 34-20 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the game with 256 yards of offense, 221 yards passing and 35 yards rushing. Keiser had 298 yards through the air and 10 yards on the ground for 308 yards of offense.
- Madysen Carrera had 33 yards rushing and one touchdown run. She was 34-for-41 through the air for 221 yards and four touchdowns.
- Tatiana Dos Santos had 15 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.
- Addison Orsborn had seven receptions and two touchdowns.
- Cynthia Homs had 10 flag pulls, two pass break ups and one interception.
- Si'Naya Glover finished the game with eight flag pulls.
- Jukanie Washington had two interceptions, one pass break up and three flag pulls.
Ottawa finishes the season with a perfect 23-0 record, its fifth NAIA Championship, fifth KCAC Tournament Championship, and fifth KCAC regular season championship.
