The Boston Renegades reached a milestone 50th team victory with a 46-to-8 win over the Pittsburgh Passion. Quarterback Allison Cahill rushed for two TDs and passed for two TDs, and Shantia Creech collected her fourth interception of the season. Ruth Matta continued her rampage, topping 154 rushing yards with three touchdowns.

A new start for Pittsburgh

Coming off a two-year hiatus, Pittsburgh has been strong in their return to competition, outscoring previous opponents 62–8. Mentored by Passion Co-Head Coach and all-time-great quarterback Lisa Horton, rookie signal caller Alyssa George led Pittsburgh to a 2-0 start with the help of fellow rookie Maria Fautali (RB), and veterans Marcelina Chavez (WR) and Jana Meister (WR).

Against Boston, Pittsburgh managed 142 yards on the ground with Fautali accounting for 77 rushing yards and a touchdown. And the Passion’s offense gained 17 first downs, more than any other opponent Boston has faced so far this season. Pittsburgh was able to drive into Renegades territory on each of their five possessions in the first half, but were not able put points on the scoreboard.

The Passion’s first drive was ended when George overthrew a ball intended for Chaves that landed in defensive back Creech’s arms. They were forced to punt on their second possession, and on their third, Pittsburgh stalled at Boston’s 19 yard line to turn the ball over on downs. A fumbled snap was recovered by Renegades linebacker Deanna Walsh to end the Passion’s fourth possession. And Pittsburgh’s final drive of the half ran out of time at Boston’s 11 yard line.

Same ending for Boston

Meanwhile, the Renegades scored on every first-half possession. From 11 yards out, Matta turned the corner set by receivers Stephanie Pascual and Sarah Tully to open the scoring for Boston. Cahill followed blocks by offensive liners Ash Beckham, Hillary Crook and Erin Truex for Boston’s second touchdown. Then Matta ran between the tackles 11 yards to paydirt again on the Renegades’ third possession. And rookie receiver Renate Meckl ran up the left sideline on a nifty wheel route to take a pass from Cahill into the end zone on Boston’s last drive of the second quarter. Boston led 27-0 at halftime.

Pittsburgh scored their lone touchdown in the third quarter. Cahill rushed for her second touchdown on the ground and threw a 17-yard TD pass to Tully before Matta finished off the scoring barrage with a five-yard run up the middle. The Renegades are now 4-0 and are the only undefeated squad remaining in the National Conference.

50th Franchise Victory

The decisive win marked the Renegades’s 50th victory since being formed in 2015. Over this period, the Renegades are 50-10 with an 83.3 winning percentage. They have scored a total of 2491 points and have outscored opponents by 1365 points — an average of 23 points per game. The Renegades defense has collected 13 shutouts.

The Renegades also extended their winning streak to 26 games, the longest winning streak in the 14-year history of the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA). During the streak, Boston has averaged 56 points per game while allowing an average of 12 points per game. The streak includes 7 playoff games and three national championship victories. The previous WFA high mark of 21 games was set by the St. Louis Slam (2009-2010). 

A Long-Awaited Rematch

Coincidentally, the undefeated Renegades travel this week to St. Louis to face the Slam in a long awaited rematch. It has been nearly 16 years since a Boston Women’s Football team played against St. Louis. On July 8, 2006 the Massachusetts Mutiny hosted the Slam in a National Women’s Football Association conference semifinal and won 42-14. The game takes place on Saturday, May 14th at 7pm CT. Game day details can be found at stlslamfootball.com.