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2010 Game Results:
July 3
USA - Gold Medal
Canada - Silver Medal
Finland - Bronze Medal
Germany - 4th Place
Sweden - 5th Place
Austria - 6th Place
July 1
Canada (20) vs. Germany (12)
Finland (0) vs. USA (72)
June 29
Austria (16) vs. Finland (50)
Germany (12) vs. Sweden (0)
June 27
USA (63) vs. Austria (0)
Sweden (6) vs. Canada (12)
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USA Wins Gold Medal at Inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship of American Football
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USA Football's Women's National Team earned the title of first-ever women's world champions in American football by defeating Canada 66-0.
The United States won the first IFAF Women's World Championship gold medal with a 66-0 victory over Canada at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden, today.
Earlier in the day, Finland won the Bronze medal with a 26-18 win over Germany, while on a good day for Scandinavia, host Sweden took fifth place overall by beating Austria 20-18.
USA Football's Women's National Team head coach John Konecki said afterwards, "Canada was an excellent team and we had to work hard to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women."
Defensive Most Valuable Player Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Passion added: "It was amazing to win the gold medal. It was very emotional. We played an awesome team and it feels great to be in this moment."
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USA Shuts Out Finland To Reach Women's World Championship Gold Medal Game
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The United States will take on Canada for the gold medal at the first ever IFAF Women's World Championship at 7pm / 1pm EST on July 3 having breezed past Finland 72-0 at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm to top group A with a 2-0 record.
Finland (1-1) will face Germany (1-1) for the bronze medal at 3pm / 9am EST on Saturday after the Germans were beaten 20-12 by Canada (2-0) earlier on Thursday. Sweden (0-2) and Austria (0-2) will meet at 11am / 5am EST for fifth place.
Kansas City Tribe running back Rusty Sowers claimed a second-straight MVP award as she scored a hat trick of touchdowns among the Americans' 11 visits to the end zone, with two scoring grabs and the first punt return for six points in tournament history. Nine different US players scored touchdowns, while linebacker Elina Seppala was named the MVP for Finland.
Team USA has now scored 135 points in two games and conceded none, making them a formidable Gold Medal game opponent for Canada on Saturday. The Canadians have scored 32 points and conceded 18 in their two wins.
Jenny Schmidt from the KC Tribe started at quarterback for USA after Finland had gone three and out on the opening possession and hit Sowers for a key third down conversion on the Americans' opening drive. New York Sharks receiver Adrienne Smith, who scored the first points in IFAF Women's World Championship history on Sunday, took a quick screen pass for a 17-yard touchdown and a 7-0 USA lead with 8:50 remaining in the first quarter.
Finland recovered a surprise USA onside kick attempt, but after Pittsburgh Passion's Sharon Vasquez almost intercepted a second down pass from Finland quarterback Jenni Wahlberg, a sack by Olivia Griswold of the Passion on fourth down meant the US took over on downs from their own 35.
The rushing of Sowers, Boston Militia's Mia Brickhouse and a quarterback sneak on fourth down kept the chains moving and on her fifth carry in a row for, Brickhouse went in for a five-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Americans 13-0 ahead with 3:03 to play in the first quarter.
An eight-yard Merita Bruun scamper and pass interference call on fourth down gave Finland momentum, but penalties and a tough USA defense forced Finland to punt as the opening quarter came to a close.
USA came out firing in the second and after Desiree Weimann of the South California Breakers took a screen pass for a 35-yard gain, Schmidt tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Sowers for a 19-point advantage after the extra pointer sailed wide.
Bruun and Laura Haapaniemi both earned first downs in reply and Finland had a touchdown called back for pass interference, a penalty that proved costly as a USA sack then resulted in a fumble and USA recovery.
Sowers caught two consecutive receptions from Chicago Force quarterback Sami Grisafe to take the ball to the Finland 25-yard mark and the same combination over 20 yards produced a fourth USA touchdown and a 27-0 lead after a successful two-point conversion.
Finland turned the ball over and both teams were forced to punt before Wiemann took a screen pass from Grisafe 47 yards for another USA score with no time left on the clock and a 34-0 lead at halftime.
Dallas Diamonds two-way player Jessica Springer danced in untouched for another US touchdown and a 41-0 lead and Grisafe added a quarterback sneak for 47-point advantage with 5:55 still left to play in the third quarter.
Okiima Pickett took a toss 31 yards for another USA touchdown and a 53-point advantage 2:02 left in the quarter before another quarterback keeper, this time from Melissa Gallegos of the Southern Cal Scorpions brought up 59 points despite another missed extra point.
Finland found it impossible to keep the Americans out of the end zone when punting as Sowers returned a punt for a touchdown and a commanding 65-point lead.
Julie Shockley from the Sacramento Sirens did most of the work on the final US scoring drive and ran the ball in from 15 yards out to complete the 72-point shutout.
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USA Records 63-0 Victory over Austria to Open IFAF Women's World Championship
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Team USA cruised to a 63-0 win over Austria in the opening game of the IFAF Women's World Championship on Sunday, June 27.
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - The United States and Austria made American football history at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm when they kicked off the inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship at 1pm local time on Sunday, June 27.
The first-ever U.S. Women's National Team, assembled and managed by USA Football and the Independent Women's Football League, cruised to a 63-0 victory as Boston Militia running back Mia Brickhouse rushed for two touchdowns. The U.S. defense also did its part by stifling the Austrian attack, which showed glimmers of promise through team MVP running back Marie-Theres Michelitsch, who rushed for 71 yards.
"I'm pleased with the win of course," Team USA Head Coach John Konecki said. "We tried to stay balanced with our running and passing game and took what the defense gave us. We came out slowly but soon found our rhythm."
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Team USA Riding with Full Tank of Energy, Chemistry
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Team USA Defensive Coordinator Anthony Stone, quarterback Sami Grisafe and defensive end Donna Wilkinson describe the energy and chemistry around the U.S. Women's National Team during day three of practice.
As the countdown to the first IFAF Women's World Championship continues, all 45 members of Team USA and their coaching staff are hard at work near Austin, Texas, fine tuning game plans, perfecting techniques and forging ahead as a unit with a single goal: bring home gold from Stockholm just in time for July 4.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Defensive Coordinator Anthony Stone said after Tuesday's morning practice. "[The IWFL] and USA Football coming together is phenomenal. These 45 girls are the pioneers of this thing we have going on right now."
The one constant for Head Coach John Konecki and his team - from pre-camp preparations to the grind of two-a-days - has been a keen understanding of what it means to represent an entire nation at an international competition. That sense of privilege continued to fuel Team USA during the morning practice on training camp's third day.
"The anticipation has been building every day, and every once in a while they'll start talking about something and you just think, 'Wow, USA. I'm representing this country,'" defensive end Donna Wilkinson said. "You get emotional and you're like, 'I'm actually part of something so much bigger than myself that I'm just grateful to be a part of it.' So I think all of us are starting to feel that anticipation and that edge and excitement."
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Team USA Training Camp Off to Strong Start in Texas
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As the inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, approaches, Team USA begins its work of coming together as a team during training camp in Round Rock, Texas.
With 45 of the best players from the Independent Women's Football League, there was no doubt about the immense talent level of the first-ever U.S. Women's National Team in America's favorite sport.
With practices beginning on Sunday, June 20, near Austin, Texas, the biggest question would be if the team could mesh together as group.
"Before camp, on paper, as a coaching staff, we felt like we had quality leaders and players from across the U.S. and that has proven true," a buoyant USA Football Women's National Team Head Coach John Konecki said in between the team's June 21 double-sessions. "We're melding together, things are progressing nicely."
The players relish the opportunity to play beside their new teammates - America's 45 best women's football players.
"This is really cool to be around this many talented players on one field, on one team," quarterback Jenny Schmidt said after a day and a half of practicing in Team USA's spread offense. "It really is a great experience - not only to get to play with them but to get to know them off the field as well. It's been a lot of fun."
As the players have fun getting to know each other, they are putting in the hard work on the field to learn the offensive and defensive plays and schemes they will employ at the IFAF Women's World Championship in Stockholm next week. Defensive coordinator Anthony Stone has the defense working on fronts, blitzes, slants and coverages.
"I think in general we have a very, very talented defense," said Knengi Martin who plays defensive end and linebacker for the IWFL's California Quake and was a 2009 league all-star. "Thus far I think we've done a great job coming together. Especially today in our defensive practice, we were going against the offense and were definitely putting it together - making plays. I'm just really impressed with how we've come together as a defensive unit."
During morning practice, the offense and defense compete with full contact, and the unit that has the better of the scrimmage does not have to wear red "pennies" over their jerseys in the afternoon session.
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Women's National Team Ready to Represent the "Red, White and Blue"
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The 45 women on the first-ever U.S. Women's National Team are proud to represent their country and its colors as they get ready to prepare for the historic Women's World Championship in Sweden.
American legend credits Betsy Ross as the seamstress of the first American flag and presenting it to General George Washington in 1776. A year later on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress would pass the Flag Resolution to establish the first standards for official U.S. flags. This week America celebrates this historical event with National Flag Week as citizens are urged to fly Old Glory.
While the accuracy of the Betsy Ross story is debated, some level of her involvement is probable. She has been promoted as a model of the contributions of patriotic women in the American Revolution, and it is fitting that 45 more women will begin their trek into American history this week.
The first-ever U.S. Women's National Team in American football, assembled by USA Football and the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), will arrive on Saturday (June 19) for training camp in Austin, Texas. Five days later they will depart for Stockholm, Sweden, for the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship.
"I am really excited that for the first time in history, the United States of America has the opportunity to compete on the world stage of women's football!" said Donna Wilkinson, a tight end for the IWFL's D.C. Divas and a member of Team USA.
As American flags fly on homes and buildings and parades run down some cities' streets this week, Wilkinson and her teammates look forward to wearing the "Red, White and Blue" flag on their Team USA uniforms.
"Ever since I was a young athlete, I have dreamed of wearing a USA jersey," Los Angeles Amazons wide receiver Brittany Reinbolt said. "Competing for Team USA and representing this country will truly be a lifelong dream come true." Read More...
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Team USA Coaches Prepare for Sport's Milestone Moment at IFAF Women's World Championship
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Under the leadership of Head Coach John Konecki and his staff, the U.S. Women's National Team will look to overcome the Texas heat and develop chemistry before flying to Sweden for the World Championship.
The game of football is already steeped in rich tradition and history, but the sport's annals are about to contain a new chapter.
When the United States National Team touches down in Stockholm, Sweden, for the start of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship (June 27-July 3), it will be a part of the first-ever international women's American football competition - a tournament comprised of six countries: the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria, Sweden and Finland. Forty-five of America's best women's tackle players will have less than two weeks to mesh into a cohesive unit, and it is up to Team USA Head Coach John Konecki and his staff to oversee the process.
"We're going to take 45 individuals and turn them into a team and try to take the philosophy of any team that I've ever coached - and that's we don't have any superstars," Konecki, the head coach of the IWFL's Chicago Force, said. "We have 11 good people on offense, 11 good people on defense and 11 good people on special teams, and we win together."
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Jennifer Pirog of Derry (N.H.) Named to USA Football's 2010 Women's National Team
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JENNIFER PIROG of Derry, N.H., has been selected to play for USA Football's 2010 Women's National Team which will compete in the sport's first women's world championship this summer in Stockholm, Sweden. USA Football is the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels. Forty-five (45) of the country's top female tackle football players have been selected to play on America's first women's national team in the sport.
Pirog, a 5-6, 143-pound cornerback and team captain for the Manchester Freedom of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), is a five-year women's tackle football veteran. Recognized throughout the IWFL as one of the league's premier "shut-down" corners, the Merrimack native is a self-employed hairstylist.
Read More...
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