Sacramento’s Only Women’s Professional Tackle Football Team Opened with Portland

While the NFL was choosing its final draft round picks to see who would be starting this September, Sacramento’s only women’s professional tackle football team, Sacramento Sirens, were preparing for their twelfth season home opener game against the Portland Shockwave on Saturday, April 28 at Natomas High School.

Sacramento are now 2-0 in the season beating Portland 22-6.  The defense held strong, both sides scoreless in the first quarter.  It wasn’t until 8:46 left in the second, Sirens QB #7 Kisha Harris handed off to #22 Ashlee Sharp for a 46 yard touchdown run, with a failed PAT attempt, 6-0.

The Shockwave held the Sirens to only a field goal with :03 until the half, stopping them from scoring on the one yard line after an 18 yard pass completion from QB #7 Kisha Harris to #84 Hege Indresand.  After two failed attempts and a penalty pushing them back to the eight on 4th down, #3 Ashley Atkinson 25 yard FG kick was good, 9-0.

The start of the third quarter, Shockwave kick off return to Sirens #20 Rachel Llyod forcing a fumble and recovering at the Sirens 39 yard line. QB #21 Veronica Ferguson leading the drive through two fourth down conversions, connects a 4th and 12 touchdown pass to #3 Simone Shepherd, with a failed PAT attempt, 9-6, 7:33 left in the third.

Sirens take 6:44 off the clock after a series of running plays from the Shockwave 35 yard line, to include two notable 13 yard carries by #9 Alexis Vierra and #27 Julie Shockley leading to a one yard TD run #45 Kristy Milanese, PAT good, 16-6.

1:53 into the fourth quarter, Shockwave passes on 4th and 7 for a Sirens #7 Kisha Harris interception at the 37 yard line.  A penalty against the Shockwave moves the Sirens down to the 21.  A series of hand off drives to #45 Kristy Milanese finally leading to an 11 yard TD run #27 Julie Shockley, PAT was blocked, 22-6.

The final drive of the night for Portland halted at the Sirens 3 yard line, stopped by #45 Kristy Milanese for a Sirens possession and the game.

To follow the action of the Sirens and recap of this game, follow on Twitter @sirensfootball.

Catch the Sirens final three home games May 12th against the Modesto Maniax, June 2nd against the Seattle Majestics and June 16th against the Phoenix Phantomz at Natomas High School.  Gates open 5:00 p.m. and kick-off 6:00 p.m

To learn more about the Sacramento Sirens, three time champions of the Independent Women’s Football League, visit www.sacramentosirens.com

Photo taken by Alex “Food” Daniel