New England Now 4-1, Wins 21-0 Versus the Northeastern Nitro
The New England Intensity won their 4th straight game of the 2012 season, defeating the Northeastern Nitro 21-0 Saturday night in Schenectady, NY. A gorgeous ride west to upstate New York along the bright green tree-lined Mass Pike with deep blue skies overhead and warm temps all around almost gave the feel of a vacation rather than a business trip. Fortunately, the Intensity got right down to business against the physical Nitro squad, scoring twice in the opening quarter—a TD pass from QB Rebecca Lopez to Lisa Vincent and a TD run from Vincent a few minutes later. Tricia Donovan ran in a 2 point attempt after a high snap precluded Lola Kantak from making a PAT try. Vincent averaged over 6 yards per carry and Nikia Speed averaged over 5 yards per carry (most of her yards coming after contact) in her first game back carrying the ball [after a lower limb injury earlier in the season]. Rookie Heather Eagleson bowled her way into the endzone in the 2nd quarter for her second TD in as many games to put NE up 21-0.


Lopez was a very efficient 8 for 15 with a TD and 3 first downs. Donovan, in impressive fashion, turned a short screen pass into a 32-yard gain on a 2nd and 30 play. She’d lead the team with 40 receiving yards. Lopez spread the ball around well, as 6 different receivers caught passes in this game. Seeing her first action throwing the ball this season, Rookie Christine Sampson linked up with Erica Adams on a 9 yard play late in the game, good for a first down. New England’s balanced offensive attack (nearly 50/50 in pass/run yardage) set them up to outgain their opponent in total yards yet again. The tough home squad did not quit, and actually gave the New England D a scare on a few occasions--especially on the ground. The Blue only allowed 41 passing yards on 21 attempts, but did give up 121 rushing yards and 7 first downs by way of the run.

Charlene Casey led the way for the Intensity again, tallying 13 tackle assists (good for the team lead in that category), she also had a solo tackle and a fumble recovery. Fellow mauler-in-the-middle, Kate Miechkowski collected 10 tackle assists, while Speed—playing in front of many fans (she lives in Rochester, NY) did not disappoint . . . she led the squad with 3 solo tackles, had 5 assists, a forced fumble and a pass defended. Erica Adams Vincent turned in 6-assist efforts, with Vincent notching 2 solo tackles, Adams one and two passes defended. Rounding out the top performers on D were Coco Edwards (6 tackle assists), Lisa Close (3 assists and a sack), Erin Diette (1 solo tackle, a forced fumble and half a sack), Brenna Leveille—who also averaged 38 yards per kickoff—(half a sack and 2 assists), Donna Bruce (3 assists, an interception and a fumble recovery), Andrea Covelli (1 solo, 3 assists) and Stacey DeLuca (1 solo, 2 assists and a pass defended). New England, along with most of the league, has the Memorial Day weekend off before their 4-game road trip continues—they’ll square off against the Southern Maine Rebels in Portland on 6/2/12.