Quick Hits / Match Notes

Ottawa has won five straight NAIA Women's Flag Football Finals. This is the first year for the NAIA Women's Flag Football Invitational. The Braves have a record of 21-1 in NAIA postseason play. OU's lone loss came against Thomas University on May 20, 2023 in the Mercedes-Benz Stadiumin Atlanta, Ga. the Night Hawks won the game 25-13, forcing a winner take all championship game. Ottawa won the final game of the tournament, 18-13, capturing the team's third NAIA Women's Flag Football Finals Championship. 

Ottawa vs. St. Thomas (Fla.)
Team Comparison

Ottawa (15-1)
    Elite offensive unit averaging 39.0 points and 323.1 yards per game
    One of the nation's top passing attacks: 293.2 pass yards/game (4th), 73 TDs (5th)
    Defense allowing just 8.9 points per game and 194.4 yards/game
    Strong situational play: 55% on 3rd down, 85% red zone efficiency
    Riding an 8-game winning streak with multiple dominant wins (50+ points in 3 of last 4)

St. Thomas (11-5)
    Balanced but lower-scoring offense at 14.6 points and 207.1 yards per game
    Passing-heavy: 191.5 pass yards/game, 19 TDs
    Defense allows 15.4 points per game and 210.5 yards/game
    Creates turnovers: 24 interceptions on the season
    Converts 25 percent on 3rd down

Series Information: The match up on May 7 will be the sixth game between the two teams. Ottawa leads the series 4-1 and is on a one game winning streak against STU. OU won the last game between the two teams on May 8, 2024 at the NAIA Women's Flag Football Finals in Atlanta, Ga., 20-6. The last time OU fell to the Bobcats was on March 15, 2024. STU won the game 13-7. The Braves are 3-0 against STU in the post season. The first ever game between the two teams happened in Miami Gardens, Fla. on March 17, 2021. STU won the game 26-0. 


Ottawa University placed 12 student-athletes on the All-KCAC list, highlighted by three major individual awards. Anna Anderson was named KCAC Player of the Year, Jukanie Washington earned KCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Liz Sowers was named KCAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her career. The 12 named to the All-KCAC Teams are: Olga Sotillo (1st), Tatiana Dos Santos (1st), Alyssa Linkous (1st), Dejonice Parris (1st), Jukanie Washington (1st), Anna Anderson (2nd), Marley Spielberg (2nd), Bethany Uribe (2nd), Jaida Bayron (HM), Mya Quinn (HM), Sue Kaufmann (HM), and Kaysie Hart (HM).

St. Thomas University finished tied for third in the SUN Conference with a record of 6-3. Those three conference losses were to (1) Warner University (47-4), (3) Keiser University (40-2) and (6) Webber International University (13-7). STU had one player named to the All-SUN Teams. Alex Harris was named Second Team All-SUN. 

Ottawa Individual Notes
    QB Anna Anderson: 4,128 passing yards, 63 TDs, 77% completion: Adds 14 rushing TDs and 423 rushing yards
    C Alyssa Linkous: 77 receptions, 947 yards, 21 TDs: Team-high 128 points scored
    WR Olga Sotillo: Team leader with 1,104 receiving yards, 14 TDs
    WR Marley Spielberg: 717 yards, 11 TDs; 

Defense
    LB Dejonice Parris: Team-high 92.0 total flag pulls, 15.5 TFL
    DB Jukanie Washington: 91 total flag pulls, team-high 16 INTs

St. Thomas Individual Notes
    QB Sherice Newton: 1,471 passing yards, 9 TDS, Dual threat: 216 rushing yards, 4 TDs
    QB/ATH Lia Cruz: 568 passing yards, 10 TDs
    WR Alex Harris: 390 receiving yards, 5 TDs, Team leader in scoring (30 points)
    WR Jasmine Henry: 373 yards, 6 TDs; consistent target

Defense
    Mia Hastings: 48 total flag pulls, 5 interceptions
    Angel Johnson: 33 total flag pulls