The post-game celebration by the Regina Riot on Sunday was unlike any other in the short history of the Western Women's Canadian Football League.The Riot defeated the Saskatoon Valkyries 15-7 before a franchise-high 535 spectators at Mosaic Stadium. The win was the first by the Riot over the Valkyries since the women's full-contact tackle football league opened in 2011. It was also the first loss ever for the Valkyries, who are the two-time defending league champions and had won 12 straight regular season and playoff games prior to Sunday's defeat.
"It means a lot,'' quarterback Aimee Kowalski said after the Riot improved its record to 2-0 and the Valkyries fell to 1-1. "It has been three years now that we have been going after them. Every time we've tried to get a little bit closer to them, but now we've finally reached our goal.
"This makes it a lot more interesting and more fun to play in the league, because you never know who the champion is going to be at the end of the season.''
Sunday's victory was an example of the strides the Riot have taken since losing 56-6 to the host Valkyries in the first league game for both teams on May 22, 2011. The Valkyries defeated the Riot 42-2 in their next regular-season meeting and 36-6 in the playoffs. The Riot showed signs of closing the gap in 2012, when Regina was beaten 36-6 and 35-26 by Saskatoon in the regular season and 35-21 in the Prairie Conference final.
"Hats off to our coaches because they put a lot of time into this game and they have really come together,'' Kowalski said. "They understand our weaknesses and strengths.
"In the past we were coached a lot like we were boys. Now we're being coached like we're adults.''
The victory was even more special for Riot linebacker Shelby Moran, who marked her 22nd birthday on Sunday with four defensive tackles. Also contributing defensively for the Riot was Adrienne Zuck with a team-high 7 1/2 defensive tackles and Ciara Bray with an interception and four defensive tackles.
"We've come a long way (since losing to Saskatoon in 2011) and we're more of a cohesive team,'' Moran said. "Before, we were individuals, and now everyone works and trains together. We're no longer girls or women trying to play football. We are football players, and that's a huge part for us.''
The Riot earned the win without head coach Darren Fisher on the sidelines, as he is out of the country on business.
"We missed him and we need him back badly,'' Riot quarterbacks coach Jack Upshall said. "What (the win) really means is it's another step in the process towards the championship. It's just one game and it's not the whole season. They understand it and they know there will be another game against Saskatoon.''
The Valkyries seemed to take their first defeat in stride.
"It's a good thing because you can always learn more from a loss than a win,'' Saskatoon quarterback Candace Bloomquist said. "It's good for any team to experience it and it's a great opportunity for us to learn from it. It's good that it happened early in the season and we can still make some adjustments.''
The Riot relied on its ground game to grind out the win over the Valkyries. Carmen Agar led the Riot with 17 carries for 126 rushing yards and a 28-yard touchdown. Amanda Hungle had 15 carries for 49 yards and a one-yard touchdown run. Saskatoon conceded a safety in the third quarter to account for the remainder of the scoring.
Marci Kiselyk had a 19-yard touchdown reception for Saskatoon. Julie David was their leading rusher with 18 carries for 84 yards.
"I'm super pumped (about) how our girls responded because they have never faced adversity in a football game before,'' Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie said. "We had a chance to win in the end, but (the Riot) made more plays than we did.''
The Riot hit the road to play the Winnipeg Nomads on Sunday and then conclude the regular season on May 26 in Saskatoon. Fisher is expected to return for the game against the Nomads. The playoffs are set to begin June 8 and Mosaic Stadium will be the site of the league final on June 15.
"As long as we win the one at the end of the season, that's the one that really matters,'' Kowalski said. "(Sunday's win) gives us the little extra belief that we can do it again and again.''
mmccormick@leaderpost.com
Original Article
Marci Kiselyk had a 19-yard touchdown reception for Saskatoon. Julie David was their leading rusher with 18 carries for 84 yards.
"I'm super pumped (about) how our girls responded because they have never faced adversity in a football game before,'' Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie said. "We had a chance to win in the end, but (the Riot) made more plays than we did.''
The Riot hit the road to play the Winnipeg Nomads on Sunday and then conclude the regular season on May 26 in Saskatoon. Fisher is expected to return for the game against the Nomads. The playoffs are set to begin June 8 and Mosaic Stadium will be the site of the league final on June 15.
"As long as we win the one at the end of the season, that's the one that really matters,'' Kowalski said. "(Sunday's win) gives us the little extra belief that we can do it again and again.''
mmccormick@leaderpost.com
Original Article
