LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - An extended break didn't stop William Woods University (11-4, 6-3 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference), soaring to a 28-6 victory over the University of Saint Mary (3-7, 1-6) Wednesday at Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium.
"Today was the perfect example of a team win with everyone making huge plays," William Woods flag football coach Charlie Holloway said. "The girls were excited to get back to competition after a long week off. The team chemistry is really coming along. I couldn't be more proud of the girls tonight."
A standout in most of the Owls' games thus far,
Kennedy Vannoy shined on both sides, recording six receptions for 62 yards and a game-high two touchdowns offensively and tying
Jayden Jalbert for a game-high seven tackles defensively.
Evonne Bruestle also dominated all-around for WWU. At wide receiver, Bruestle tied the program's single-game record in catches with eight, racking up a team-high 78 receiving yards and scoring one touchdown. And at defensive back, she had six tackles and a team-high 1½ sacks for a 4-yard loss.
The Owls scored the game's first points with 34 seconds left in the first quarter as
Makenzie Hicks completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Natalie Hernandez de Leon.
William Woods' strong defensive effort extended its lead to 8-0, with 10:13 remaining in the second quarter. The Spires' offense looked to make a big play with it being third-and-23 at their 12-yard line; instead, the Owls notched a team sack in USM's own end zone, WWU's first-ever safety.
To begin the second half, the Owls put together a great defensive and offensive possession. USM had the ball first, and on the third play of the half-opening drive, WWU's
Emma Anderlik intercepted it and returned it 26 yards to the Spires' 12-yard line. Needing just one play, Hicks slinged it into the hands of Vannoy for her second touchdown pass of the day, which increased the Owls' advantage to 15-0 after Hicks' 1-point pass conversion.
Hicks found her third touchdown target of the game with 1:37 to go in the third quarter, hurling it to Bruestle for a 15-yard score that heightened WWU's lead to 22-0 after the Owls signal caller's 1-point conversion. That connection happened one-more time as Hicks' second pay-dirt throw to Bruestle, a 35-yard pass, finished off Woods' 28-point outburst with 6:40 left.
Saint Mary tallied its only points of the contest when Ariana Rivera completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brooklin Hill in garbage time with 3:00 remaining.
For the game, William Woods had 198 yards of offense (210 passing yards and -12 rushing yards), scored four passing touchdowns and a safety, intercepted one pass and played clean with no penalties. Saint Mary posted 154 yards of offense (176 passing yards and -22 rushing yards), scored one passing touchdown, intercepted one pass and had three penalties for a 17-yard loss.
The Owls will have to be at their best for their next matchup, hosting Ottawa University (13-0), winners of the first four NAIA national championships, in a nonconference matchup at 4 p.m. Saturday at North Campus Athletic Complex in Fulton.
