Whirlwind breezes past Babes
By RACHEL BIBER
Sports Writer
The Welsh Whirlwinds transformed into tornadoes during last weekend's semifinal matchup against the BP Babes, uprooting the top-seeded Babes from their planned path to Notre Dame stadium and running away with a 12-0 win.
Welsh brought together all facets of its game on Sunday and did not bow down to the formidable BP attack that had not yielded a loss the entire season. The Whirlwind defense played exceptionally well, shutting out the Babes and securing the win for the team. Welsh coaches Brian Sweet, Dave DePoister and Casey Bouton were speechless when asked about the tremendous performance of the defense.
"The entire defense played excellent," Sweet said.
Welsh tallied six points as the first half of the game came to a close when a Welsh defender intercepted a pass from BP quarterback Jenny Choi in the end zone, and ran the ball the length of the field for the score.
Choi's pass was deflected off the chest of BP receiver Jill Schuler and landede in the hands of the Welsh defense.
Not to be outdone, the BP Babes intercepted a pass in Welsh's endzone and ran it back the entire length of the field.
The referee's whistle, however, brought the ball back because he thought a player was hurt. The Whirlwinds retained the ball, but were not able to capitalize on the turnover.
Welsh eventually overcame the miscued call and scored for the second time when Vanessa Lichon returned a BP punt all the way for a touchdown, zigzagging through multiple BP defenders.
The Whirlwinds again could not convert the extra point, but still held a comfortable 12-0 lead.
Welsh displayed a consistent intensity throughout the game and showed that the 7 a.m. practice they had during the preceding week definitely paid off with a solid performance. The youth that characterizes the team is starting a tradition of dominating play for a dorm that has only been in existence for three years.
"We are ecstatic," Welsh coach Dave DePoister said. "We set this as a goal ... and our girls played their butts off."
The BP offense put in a steady offensive attack, led by Choi and receivers Erin West and Kelly Landers, but they simply could not cross the goal line.
Although the season did not end how the Babes wanted it to, the team had a very successful year.
"The general feeling was we were disappointed because everyone played really well," BP captain Katie Leicht said. "On the whole we were pleased with the season."
Welsh ran the clock out at the end of the game to seal a surprising victory and began to celebrate.
In two weeks the Whirlwinds will get the opportunity to earn their team its first championship title ever. But for now, the Whirlwinds are enjoying their semifinal win, and praising the defense for the team's success.
"We are pretty excited," Welsh quarterback and co-captain Katie Rak said. "Our defense definitely won the game for us."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 9, 1999
