WPL Match Report: Twin Cities Amazons @ New York, by Donna Ventura [VIDEO]

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule, Match Reports and Results here.

by Donna Ventura:

Sometimes a lopsided score does not truly depict the hard hitting play on field. Such is the case in yesterday’s WPL matchup between New York and the Twin City Amazons. The Amazons walked away victorious 47-10.

Kaelene Lundstrom got the Amazons on the board first with a try in the 13th minute. Ten minutes later Desiree Markovich scored with a penalty kick to put the Zons up 8-0. New York would answer back immediately, driving down field as if on a mission. Rebecca Brafman would put this one in for New York. And it looked like we were in for a hard hitting, back and forth scoring, down to the wire WPL match.

The hard hitting play continued with each team gaining possession, driving, and losing possession. Nice runs of 30 and 40 meters were stifled with defense, lack of support or just not being able to get the ball out to players that were in support. Multiple penalties also cost each team valuable field position.

The Amazons drove the ball deep into NY territory only to lose possession to a penalty. NY had a decent kick that gave them a line out near midfield but still in their territory. The ensuing line out however was lost and the Zons used quick ball movement through the back line to charge down the field once again. This time they would not be denied as Lundstrom found the try zone for her second score of the day. This put the Zons up 13-5.

The Amazons finished the half with a try by lock Stacey Bridges. Off a scrum to the Amazons, 8 man Sara Bakker picks, dishes to scrumhalf Nicole Benjamin who gets the ball into the backs hands. The Amazons got the whole team involved on this drive that lead to Bridges’ score. Markovich converts and the Zons go into halftime with a 20-5 lead.

The second half saw the same hard hitting action as the first half. Both teams came out of the halftime break ready to play. The Amazons were able to capitalize on several opportunities they missed in the first half as their backs had several breakaways that lead to scores. Outside Center Lynelle Kugler was a catalyst to the Zons offense in the second half. Kugler got the scoring started with a try about 15 minutes into the second half. She got drives started that lead to the Zons driving down field as well a breakaway that lead to another Lundstrom score. Rebecca Radtke, Ashley Mulford, and Sylvia Braaten all tallied points for the Amazons in the second half.

New York wouldn’t be shut out in the second half although it would take them 40+ minutes to find the try zone. Their drive started when an Amazon player misplayed the ball attempting a grubber kick. This gave NY a scrum near midfield. It was as if they decided they would score and now was the time. From the scrum it was all NY possession. They drove the ball down the field, into contact, out to support, into contact and eventually prop Naomi Oberman found herself with the ball at the try line. She was able to touch it down for the score. Full time, NY 10- Amazons 47.

New York (2-3) travels to San Diego (3-1) next week in their final regular season game. The Twin City Amazons (4-1) will face the MN Valkyries (0-4).

Match Video

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule, Match Reports and Results here.