April 6, 2019

TAMPA – The Boston Renegades — the defending Women’s Football Alliance National Champions — opened the 2019 season in Florida Saturday night to face the Tampa Bay Inferno. Quarterback Allison Cahill #7 completed three touchdown passes and running back Angelica Pascual #1 rushed for three scores en route to an impressive 61-7 victory.

This was the first meeting between the franchises. Established in 2010, the Inferno has compiled a 53-19 regular season record, going undefeated twice with only one season under .500. They earned five playoff berths, making two bowl game appearances.

Boston received the kickoff to start the game and they immediately set the pace with a quick tempo on offense. Cahill completed her first three passes before Pascual opened the scoring with a 39-yard scamper to the end zone. Although the extra point attempt was missed, the Renegades got the point back on their next drive. Following a touchdown reception by tight end Kathryn Tylander #15, Cahill converted a two-point conversion with a pass to wide receiver Stephanie Pascual #3. Halfway through the first quarter, Boston had jumped out to a 14-point lead.

Tampa Bay then mounted a scoring drive. Aided by penalties and a 15-yard rush by running back Marcelina Chavez #7, the Inferno put themselves into Boston’s red zone. Though a sack by linebacker Deanna Walsh #53 forced Tampa Bay into a 3rd-and-long situation at the 19-yard line, Inferno quarterback Kim Shaw #2 connected with wide receiver Candace Pistole #8 who juked her way into the end zone. Pistole then kicked an extra point to narrow Boston’s lead 14-7, and that is how the first quarter ended.

Undeterred, the Renegades scored another touchdown early in the second quarter to cap a seven-play drive. Newcomer Ruth Matta #22, who has been one of Europe’s top running backs in recent years as a member of the Birmingham Lions Women, scored her first touchdown as a Renegade, crossing the stripe from one yard out. She finished the game with 42 yards on 4 carries while scoring two touchdowns. She also chipped in one reception for 13 yards. The game also marked the American debut of J.J. Seiles #81, a wide receiver from the Helsinki Roosters (Finland), who made a reception of 6 yards.

Boston’s defense then clamped down, with rookie linebacker Shannon Singletary #42 making her first career interception. The Renegades’ dominance on defense continued for the rest of the game, as they collected three turnovers, five sacks, and five pass deflections. Tampa Bay did not score again.

Boston’s offense would score five more touchdowns. Cahill threw touchdown passes to newcomer Satoria Bell #23, formerly of the Philadelphia Phantomz, and second year player Sarah Tully #11. Tully also kicked 5 PATs. Matta rushed 20 yards for her second touchdown. Angelica Pascual, who lead the game in rushing with 132 yards on 10 carries, rushed for two more scores.

And to put an exclamation point on the Renegades’ defensive performance, cornerback Shantia Creech #28 — also a newcomer from Philadelphia — made the longest play of the night by returning an interception 58 yards for a touchdown.

The Renegades will take on the New York Wolves next Saturday, April 13, for their home opener at Della Russo Stadium in Revere.

Also read:
A Debut of Champions – Interview with Ruth Matta
Out-of-the-ordinary start to season for the Renegades

Box Score

Scoring Log

Game Notes

Game Day Captain: Erin Truex #88
Milestones:

• Ruth Matta #22, Satoria Bell #23, and Shantia Creech #28 scored their first touchdowns as Renegades.
• Matta (Birmingham (England) Lions) and J.J. Seiles #81 (Helsinki (Finland) Roosters) made their American debuts.
• Shannon Singletary #42 made her first career interception.
• Sarah Tully #11 scored the first kicking points of her career, recording 5 extra-point kicks.

Previous game vs. opponent: (Historical) New England Storm 41, Tampa Tempest 0 at Hormel Stadium, Revere, 9/1/2001
Renegades record vs. opponent: 1-0
Previous game at site: none

Odds status (Massey) :no line
Win probability (Massey) :no line

Photos: Mitzi Velez Lorenzana

Statistics

PASSING
Allison Cahill #7 — 18/27, 206 yds, 3 TD, 2PT, INT. Rating 111.034

RUSHING
Angelica Pascual #1 — 10/138, long of 39, 3 TD, FUM
Allison Gauvin #31 — 7/45, long of 12
Ruth Matta — 4/42, long of 20, 2 TD
Shantia Creech #28 — 2/19, long of 10
Emily Beinecke #87 — 1/18
Katie Rancourt #47 — 2/9, long of 5
Stephanie Pascual #3 — 1/2

RECEIVING
Emily Beinecke #87 — 6/60, long of 18
Satoria Bell #23 — 3/47, long of 24, TD
Sarah Tully #11 — 3/32, long of 14, TD
Stephanie Pascual #3 — 2/27, long of 16, 2PT
Angelica Pascual #1 — 1/18
Ruth Matta #22 — 1/13
J.J. Seiles #81 — 1/6
Kathryn Tylander #15 — 1/3, TD

DEFENSE
Allie Genereux #52 — 4 Tk, 5 Ast, Sck, 2 TFL
Shannon Singletary #42 — 2 Tk, 6 Ast, Sck, TFL, INT
Shantia Creech #28 — 2 Tk, 1 Ast, INT, TD
Deanna Walsh #53 — 2 Tk, 1 Ast, Sck, 2 TFL
Danielle Fournier #70 — 1 Tk, 7 Ast
Laura Pula #72 — 1 Tk, 5 Ast, Sck, TFL
Charlene Casey #36 — 1 Tk, 4 Ast
Kristen Sarson #67 — 1 Tk, 4 Ast, Sck, TFL
Brooke Gause #6 — 1 Tk, 1 Ast, INT
Danielle Harrison #92 — 1 Tk, 1 Ast
Mocha Torres #13 — 1 Tk, 1 Ast
Tori Noda #9 — 4 Ast
Christina Riggieri #89 — 4 Ast
Andrea Fullmore #82 — 3 Ast
Sami Bloom #44 — 3 Ast
Briannah Gallo #24 — 2 Ast
Emma Finestone #20 — 2 Ast
Erin Diette #30 — 1 Ast
Nicole Gordon #56 — 1 Ast
Bridget O’Malley #57 — 1 Ast
Maureen Lemay #84 — 1 Ast

SPECIAL TEAMS

Extra Points: Sarah Tully #11 5/8