RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The women's flag football team narrowly fell to La Sierra tonight, 14-13.
The Red Hawks and Golden Eagles took part in a defensive battle as they held each other off the scoreboard in the first quarter.
La Sierra drew first blood early in the second quarter as they found the endzone to grab the 7-0 lead as they held the one-score advantage into halftime.
The Red Hawks and Golden Eagles continued to display their dominant defensive performances as Simpson tied the game midway through the fourth quarter.
Simpson nearly took the late lead inside of one minute as Sophia Cruz hit
Hailey Cruz for a 14-yard touchdown pass. However, a crucial illegal block in the back penalty negated the play and forced overtime.
The Golden Eagles found the endzone in their first possession to take the six point lead before a key one-point conversion extended the Golden Eagles' lead to seven.
The Red Hawks answered as
Kylie Schultz found the endzone on a two-yard scamper. But the Golden Eagles' defense made the play of the game as they denied the Red Hawks point after to secure the 14-13 victory.
Schultz led the Red Hawks offense with two rushing touchdowns while
Taylor Zalunardo led the defense with eleven stops and one interception. The Red Hawks' defense forced four interceptions as
Debora Aguirre notched a two-pick performance.
Simpson continues conference play next week as they head to Arizona to take on Ottawa University on March 18 at 11:15 am.
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