This past Saturday, the Valkyries defeated the Lethbridge Steel to win their second consecutive WWCFL championship title with a 64-21 win at Griffiths Stadium in front of a hometown crowd. This championship victory capped off a successful 2012 campaign, where the Valkyries went undefeated with a 4-0 record in the Prairie Conference. Since joining the league in 2011, the Valkyries have not lost a game.
“The second win is just as sweet as the first championship because I know how hard our women have worked to achieve this,” reflects Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie after the win. “We began practicing indoors in February and our team hired Ignite Conditioning to provide personal training for three months leading up to the season.”
“Our team grew in size from approximately 30 players last season to 48 players in our second year. All of our players received significant playing time in every game and it was rewarding to see all of our players improve and grow.”
In the championship game, tailback Julie David recovered the first kickoff of the game and scored on a 12 yard run into the end zone. The Steel replied back as quarterback Becky Hennigar ran into the end zone for a seven yard major. At halftime, the Valkyries enjoyed a 41-7 lead.
On the day, David scored six of the eight touchdowns in the victory while amassing 277 yards. For her efforts on the field, she was the game’s MVP. Gillian Allen scored on a 27 yard run. Quarterback Candice Bloomquist connected with Natasha Miller for a 22 yard reception while Amber Buchholz registered a six yard touchdown run.
“Julie David, had a breakout season,” adds Yausie. “Candace Bloomquist is a terrific athlete who makes very few mistakes and she distributed the ball very well in the championship game with six different receivers making catches.”
The Valkyries defensive unit was equally successful in game execution as they held off the Steel from adding to the point tally until late in the third quarter. For her exceptional play in the championship game, Darla Lee Walde was named outstanding defensive player.
Yausie says the Steel were formidable opponents and were competitive throughout the game. However, the Valkyries offensive unit came through and was successful in their game execution plan.
“The Lethbridge team was small but very athletic,” explains the Valkyries head coach. “The game was pretty tight in the first quarter but our offensive line blocked very well and our offense rolled in the second quarter.”
“The Lethbridge team was tough; they never quit and scored twice on us in the second half.”
While the Valkyries may be savouring their second consecutive championship title, players will have very little time to rest as they will be back on the field in a couple of weeks’ time in Montreal.
“I know that our players are looking forward to joining some of the top players from the Regina Riot and representing our province at the first ever National Challenge Cup in Montreal in two weeks,” says Yausie. “This event will serve as an Identification Camp to help select players for the 2013 Team Canada.”
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