Cahill Collects 100th Career Victory
By Meg Kelly
PITTSBURGH — The Boston Renegades doused the Pittsburgh Passion, 51-32, on a rainy Saturday night at Cupples Stadium, snapping the Passion’s 27-game winning streak which included two minor league championships. With the win, quarterback Allison Cahill notched her 100th career victory — the first quarterback in women’s football to do so — and the Renegades improved to 5-1 on the season, remaining a perfect 3-0 on the road.
Running back Chanté Bonds #21 paced Boston’s attack with three touchdowns, including two on the ground, while Cahill #7 accounted for four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Placekicker Brooke Goodman #97 was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra-point kicks despite the slippery field conditions. The Renegades’ defense collected three fumbles and an interception.
Pittsburgh came out strong starting the game with back-to-back scores. Miashawntia Smith returned the opening kickoff 71 yards to the house, and after a three-and-out by Boston, Tara Catone capped a 44-yard drive with a 17-yard rumble to the end zone. For the second time in the game, Pittsburgh’s holder was unable to control the snap for the kicker, and had to attempt a two-point conversion. This time, Boston cornerback Briannah Gallo picked off the holder’s pass attempt and returned it 100 yards to the end zone to temper the Passion’s lead, 12-2.
Boston found the end zone in a more traditional manner on its next drive as Cahill connected with wide receiver Adrienne Smith #10 for a 53-yard touchdown. A successful extra point by Goodman put the Renegades within three. Bonds later gave Boston its first lead of the game, 16-12, at the 4:14 mark in the first quarter with a one-yard rush to cap a 67-yard drive.
Seeking to keep the potent Pittsburgh offense on the sidelines, Boston followed their scoring drive by recovering an onside kick to take possession of the ball again, enabling them to consume most of the time remaining in the quarter. Pittsburgh took the final snap of the period which resulted in a fumble forced by rookie lineman Laura Pula #53 and recovered by defensive end Erin Diette #30. Boston took advantage of the turnover early in the second frame. Bonds struck again, reeling in a 13-yard arc from Cahill to further the Renegades’ advantage at 23-12.
Outstanding defensive play dominated most of the second quarter. Both teams stopped drives with fumble recoveries. Bonds lost a fumble at midfield that was recovered by Pittsburgh. Renegades defensive end Goodman forced Catone’s second fumble of the night which was recovered by linebacker Vicky Eddy #45. Boston’s secondary, including Gallo, cornerback Mocha Torres #13, and safety Brooke “Tex” Gause #6, shined in the second quarter, limiting Pittsburgh’s potent passing offense to 1 completion in 6 attempts for only 4 yards, 0 first downs and 0 touchdowns. The Renegades broke the 12-minute scoring drought on the final play of the half, when Cahill hit wide receiver Emily Beinecke #87 on a flea flicker to send Boston to the break with an 18-point advantage, 30-12.
In the third quarter, Pittsburgh’s ground attack quickly narrowed the score to 30-19 with a 27-yard score by Catone. The Renegades responded with a 65-yard drive and the Cahill-Smith connection put Boston back ahead by 18, 37-19. Boston’s defense chipped in another fumble recovery to finish the period, this time on a backwards pass intended for Catone and covered up by Eddy.
The Renegades capitalized shortly when Bonds rushed for her third score of the game from three yards out, making the score 44-19. Now with their backs to the wall, Pittsburgh tallied back-to-back scores to reduce Boston’s lead to 44-32 with 3:55 left on the clock, but Cahill put the game away in the final minute with a touchdown rush of her own, sealing the win at 51-32.
The Renegades will return to Dilboy Stadium for its last regular season home game next weekend against the Chicago Force May 21 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Box Score
Cupples Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
Boston Renegades | 16 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 51 |
Pittsburgh Passion | 12 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 32 |
Statistics
PASSING
Allison Cahill – 34/43, 362 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT, Rating 123.1
RUSHING
Chanté Bonds – 25/129, 2 TD, 1 F
Sue Quimby – 6/19
Allison Cahill – 4/17, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Adrienne Smith – 17/212, 2 TD, long of 53 yards
Emily Beinecke – 8/82, 1 TD, long of 62 yards
Emily Weinberg – 5/44, long of 22 yards
Chanté Bonds – 4/26, 1 TD, long of 13 yards
DEFENSE
Jennifer Olivieri — 7 Tk
Jessica Penta – 5.5 Tk, 1 Sk, 1 TFL, 1 FF
Vicky Eddy – 4.5 Tk, 2 FR
Brooke Gause — 4.5 Tk, 1 PD, 1 TFL
Brianna Gallo – 3 Tk, 1 PD, 1 INT, 1 S
Mocha Torres – 3 Tk, 2 PD
Nicole Buechler — 2 Tk
Alexis Belliard — 2 Tk
Erin Diette – 1.5 Tk, 1 FR
Laura Pula – 1.5 Tk, 1 FF
Sami Bloom – 1 Tk
Chanté Bonds – 1 Tk
Charlene Casey – 1 Tk
Brooke Goodman – 1 Tk, 1 FF
SPECIAL TEAMS
Extra Points: Brooke Goodman – 7 for 7
TURNOVERS
Boston – 2
Pittsburgh – 4
PENALTIES
Boston – 13/83
Pittsburgh – 2/33