FULTON, Mo. - Playing a more competitive game the second time around, William Woods University (11-5) kept it close in the first half, but ultimately lost 39-0 to Ottawa University (14-0), winners of the first four NAIA national championships, in a nonconference matchup Saturday at North Campus Athletic Complex.
"Ottawa is No. 1 for a reason, and they challenged us in every phase," William Woods flag football coach Charlie Holloway said. "I'm proud of our girls for the way they competed - this group continues to show toughness, resilience and a commitment to getting better. We'll take what we learned tonight and use it as fuel for the rest of the season."
Regardless of the result, the Owls had standout performers in all three phases of the game.
Offensively, quarterback
Makenzie Hicks completed 28-of-48 passes for 187 yards and two interceptions, and wide receiver
Addie Chilek recorded a team-high eight receptions for a team-high 57 yards and Natalie Hernandez de Leon had WWU's longest catch of 25 yards.
On special teams, Woods punter
Madi Jones had one of her best displays, booting it five times for 156 yards (31.2 average yards per punt; 41-yard punt, the longest) with three landing inside the 20-yard line.
A trio of Owls shined defensively:
Kennedy Vannoy and Chilek tied for a team-high five tackles, and
Emma Anderlik had an interception.
William Woods' defense held strong in the first half, holding the potent Braves offense to just six points in the first and second quarter as the Owls trailed 12-0 at halftime. Unfortunately, Ottawa looked like the unbeaten national champion in the second half, posting 20 points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth.
For the game, the Owls notched 180 yards of offense (187 passing yards and -7 rushing yards), intercepted one pass and had two penalties for five yards. The Braves totaled 392 yards of offense (385 passing yards and seven rushing yards), scored six passing touchdowns, intercepted two passes with five return yards and had no penalties.Â
To conclude its inaugural season, William Woods has another nonconference contest against a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference foe, hosting Baker University (8-6) at 4 p.m. next Saturday.
