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Sharks Top Xplosion, 28-21, In Season Opener
The New York Sharks women’s tackle football team wasn’t about to be eaten up without biting back. In the opening game against the Atlanta Xplosion last Sunday it looked as On the opening kickoff to Atlanta, Douglas, who changed to kicker from backup quarterback last season, Atlanta’s receiver Angela Rowe ran it back for a 78-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, but it gave the Xplosion an early 6-0 lead. With a combination of Shark penalties and good Atlanta defense, it seemed as if the Sharks were not going to amass much yardage. But a subsequent kickoff to New York had the Atlanta players watching the ball bounce to the 35-yard line, but not downing it. Sharks Lori DeVivio took advantage of the mental lapse, scooped up the ball and sprinted down the left side to tie the score. Rookie, Jenny Graf kicked the extra point and the Sharks led 7-6. In the second quarter Atlanta QB Sue Cackowski threw deep and hit Audra Thomas with a 33-yard touchdown pass. The snap for the extra point was high, but Atlanta regained the lead with four minutes remaining in the half.
Penalties, sacks and some sloppy play allowed Atlanta to score another touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter to take a 21-7 lead into the final period. In the fourth quarter, QB Val Halesworth and running back Missy Marmorale teamed up to lead the Sharks offensive burst. Halesworth moved the Sharks to the Xplosion 13-yard line when she tossed the ball to Moarmorale who powered her way to the one-yard line. On another pitch to Marmorale the Sharks scored. The score was now 21-13. The next touchdown came on a fourth down, 8-yard pass from Halesworth to Jen Blum. Being down two points with the clock running out, the Sharks went for the two-point conversion. Halesworth hit Kathy Holloman to tie the score with 5:32 left in the game. The Sharks got a break when Atlanta fumbled the ball on a handoff, which was recovered by Courtney Eaton at the Xplosion 42-yard line. Halesworth moved the Sharks down the field, including an 11-yard run of her own, a 17-yard pass to Holloman, and a score when Marmorale dashed six-yards for the final TD. Graf split the uprights for the extra pint and a 28-21 Sharks lead with just over two minutes remaining. It looked as if Atlanta might tie The NY Sharks play their next game on Saturday, April 17 against the New Hampshire Freedom at 3 p.m. For tickets and information, go to
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