The United States won the first ever Gold Medal at the inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship with a 66-0 victory over Canada at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday, July 03.

Earlier in the day, Finland won the Bronze medal with a 26-18 win over Germany, while on a good day for Scandinavia, host Sweden took fifth place overall by beating Austria 20-18.

Team USA head coach John Konecki said afterwards, “Canada was an excellent team and we had to work our butt off to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached this Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women.

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Fullerton, CA – After finally having a bye to rest up and recover the 2010 California Quake travelled to Orange County to face another local rival. Over the past 2 seasons, each game between the Southern California Breakers and Quake were hard fought, closely contested games. This year looked to be no different with both teams battling with playoff hopes, in their respective tiers, hanging the balance. Despite a small roster for the Breakers and several key players out for the Quake, this game would live up to the billing for most of the game.

The first half was a slug-fest between the high-powered Quake offense and the hard hitting Breakers defense. The Quake would get the ball first and use their numbers to pound the ball, moving it down the field. A penalty would make things difficult and after running 16 offensive plays, they were forced to punt. The Breakers offense has struggled all year and would find it very difficult to move the ball against the Quake defense. Following a 45-yard punt by #27 Bobbie Graham, the Breakers offense were pinned at the 5-yard line. On the first play, #91 Denisha Terrell would hit the ball carrier in the endzone for an apparent safety but the officials marked her down inside the one. Two plays later, #43 Priscilla Gardner would hit the corner and outrun the entire Quake defense for a 97-yard touchdown run. The extra point would go through giving the Breakers their first lead late in the 2nd quarter. The Quake would change things up and move the ball quickly down the field with a connection between #3 Deb Kuntz and #13 Shanell Law. The Quake would register their first touchdown as #47 Knengi Martin rumbled in from 2 yards out. Martin would convert the 2-point conversion as well. Quake now led 8-7 with only seconds left before the half. The Breakers would attempt to move the ball through the air in an effort to score before halftime. Pressure by the defensive and a hit by #11 Alex Kirby on #20 Julie Briggs, as the ball was released, forced a floater that was intercepted by #7 Tamika Denise Vaughn. The officials threw a flag for a late hit on the quarterback and the Breakers offense was rewarded with another chance to score. With only 4.3 seconds left, Gardner once again hit the corner and scored, this one measuring 60 yards. Halftime score 14-8 Breakers.

The second half would start with the Breakers having the momentum and tons of confidence. The Quake coaching staff was quite upset that the officials were having such an effect on the game and stressed to the team, that they were controlling every aspect of the game and the Breakers would not be able to keep up all game if we kept executing. The Quake defense would force a turnover on downs and the offense would go right to work. Huge runs by Kirby and a Kuntz to #9 Kara Williams connection would put them inside the one where Martin would score again. The conversion would fail and the game is tied at 14. The defense would force a quick punt and two plays later Martin would score her 3rd TD, this one accounting for 35 yards with 5 Breakers laid in her wake. Conversion good, Quake up 22-14.

The start of the 4th quarter had the Breakers facing 3rd & long. The defense would force another punt when Graham stopped Gardner for a minimal gain. A missed block would get #23 Amy Croger tackled in the backfield on 3rd & short, forcing a punt. Williams would put one deep and when the ball hit the ground it took a weird hop that #86 Angelique Smith couldn’t quite handle and #10 Bianca Nieves would recover it for the Quake at the Breakers 15-yard line. A pass-interference call on 4th down would give the Quake a 1st down inside the 5. Martin would trample three Breakers on her way to her 4th TD of the game. A failed conversion followed, Quake 28-14. Knowing that they were short on time, the Breakers went back to the air to close the gap. The defense would have none of it as Vaughn would register her 2nd interception and this one would not only stand but she would return it 63 yards for the final score of the game. After the defense forced another punt, the Quake would move the ball right back down the field. Martin’s 5th TD of the game would be called back and the Quake were unable to put it back in.

Final score, Quake 34 - Breakers 14.

Next game is in Portland, OR against the Portland Shockwave

Downey, CA - It's the sixth game of the season with the Quake seeking another win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Quake and Maniax meet for the first time this season.

Maniax won the coin toss and started their first offensive drive at the 30-yard line. The defense forced a quick punt, this would be the reoccurring theme all game long. The Quake offense, in great field position near the 50-yard line, starts the drive with a 35 yard pass connection between #3 Deb Kuntz and #5 Monique Zaky. Two plays later, Kuntz, in shotgun formation, finished the drive with a soft pass over the defense to #88 Camille Norwood for a touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion by Zaky, made the score 8-0. The Quake defense continued to put pressure on Maniax QB #7 Nicole Roman with sacks by #52 Tarrah Philpott and #11 Alex Kirby, followed by another punt. The Quake offense wasted no time as they marched down the field 74 yards behind the tandem of #23 Amy Croger and Zaky. A touchdown and conversion by Zaky would extend the lead to 16-0.

The following kick-off, Quake kicker, #9 Kara Williams, would pooch a short kick in an effort to keep the ball out of the dangerous returners for the Maniax, #26 Courtney Warda and #5 Tracy Adams but the first player to get to the ball was Kirby and the Quake offense was back on the field at the 33-yard line. One play later, confusion in the Maniax secondary left Williams all alone where Kuntz would deliver a perfect pass for another Quake score. The conversion would after a penalty forced a longer attempt. Quake 22-0. Another punt by the Roman would be returned by Kirby deep into Maniax territory. Kuntz would look to her 3rd different receiver for a score and after the ball was tipped by Adams of the Maniax, #13 Shanelle Law#13 Shanelle Law would gather it in for a touchdown. After a conversion by Croger, Quake led 30-0.

Maniax kept trying to find their momentum on offense as they would complete passes of 14, 18 and 21 yards, but every drive they were able to mount were thwarted by sacks from  Quake defenders. An unsuccessful 4th down conversion would give the ball back to the Quake and moments later Croger would score. Another conversion put the Quake up 38-0. Following a sack by #10 Bianca Nieves, the Maniax would punt the ball back to the Quake. A huge run by Zaky would turn into a turnover for the Maniax as the hit delivered by #45 Tracy Wheelock caused Zaky to fumble to ball. That was her 3rd fumble in 5 years of playing football. Unable to capitalize on the turnover, the Quake marched the ball down the field. Kuntz looked to connect with Law again and just as the time before Adams was able to get a hand on the pass and while she was unable to catch it, #19 Katiann Green was there for the interception. With the Maniax pinned at their 2-yard line, the defense would have their best chance to score some points. They would accomplish this on 2nd down as A. Munoa flew in from her linebacker position and tackled the running back before she could get out of the endzone. Defensive safety! Quake 40-0. With just over two minutes before the half, the Quake offense would get the ball back after the free kick and run their two-minute offense and score with 5 seconds left before the half on a Zaky run. Halftime score 46-0.

In the second half the Quake mounted lengthy, time consuming drives on offense with touchdown runs by Kuntz and Croger. The Quake defense, looking for their first shutout on the season limited the Maniax offense to 11 plays, only one completion for 3 yards and #47 Knengi Martin would sack Roman twice.

Final Score 62-0

The Quake has a bye this coming weekend but will face the Southern Caifornia Breakers on May 22nd at Fullerton HS.