LIVESTREAM: 2017 Women’s World Championship – Day 2 – Tuesday June 27@ 11:30a PDT (8:30p CEST)
As Day 2 of the 2017 Women’s World Championship gets underway, three teams are looking for their first wins. The British, the USA, and the Canadians won their opening games of the tournament and the Finns, Mexicans, and Australians will try to join them in the winner’s column on Day 2.
With the Australians taking on the Mexicans in the early game, the Americans playing the Finns in the afternoon contest the Canadians against the British in the evening, the best chance for one of the losing teams to earn a first win likely rests with Australia or Mexico.
Team Mexico – Team Australia (11:30 am)
Perhaps the most interesting game of the day Tuesday will be the contest between Australia and Mexico. Both teams had tough losses against the top teams in the championship on Saturday. Offensively, both teams struggled, but each showed some flashes of promise. Defensively, Mexico held the USA scoreless for 21 minutes of the first half, and Australia held Canada to only a Carly Dyck field goal in the first quarter.
Mexico is led by QB Angeles Cruz Colon who competed 8 of 21 passes for 42 yards, including 4 to WR Lizbeth Mondragon Leon, and running backs Andrea Romero Vazquez and Maria Fernanda Pacheco Garcia who combined for 54 yards on 12 carries. Whichever team can best forget their first game and eliminate mental mistakes will come out on top in this one. Both teams also have large fan bases who have accompanied their teams to Langley, so it should be a lively game, both on the field and in the stands.
Team USA – Team Finland (3:30 pm)
Team Finland lost a tough game to Britain on Saturday, and Team USA is not an opponent to recover against. The American team had some difficulty getting on track against the Mexicans, but both their offensive and defensive teams looked very good in their first game. The continuity of the offense is not helped by platooning at the skill positions, but the O Line opened holes and protected the quarterback for whoever happened to be playing. Sammi Grisafe, Lisa Horton, and Allyson Hamli all performed well during their time at the helm. Hannah DeGraffinreed, in particular, looked good running the ball in the first game.
For the Finns, RB Jenni Linden gained 153 yards on 24 carries on her way to being named the game MVP for her team. The USA defense held Mexico scoreless though, and the Finns might not have the same offensive success against them.
Team Canada – Team Great Britain (7:30 pm)
The Britain-Canada matchup should favor the Canadians. They have finished second to the USA in both previous WFC’s, and have a strong core of players from the Women’s Football Alliance. QB Aimee Kowalski was 9-11 for 58 yards and a touchdown to Laurence Pontbriand, and the running-back-by-committee of Julene Friesen, Cassey Brick, and Laurence Thivierge contributed 139 yards on 28 carries.
However, the Canadian defense showed some holes in the second half after first-time competitor Australia settled down. Britain produced less offense behind the passing of Joannah Kilby who was 4-8 for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns to Jessica Anderson. Running backs Joannah Kilby and Ruth Matta combined for 114 yards on 16 carries, with Matta scoring once. Canada should win this one, but Britain has only lost one international game since they began playing in 2014, and they avenged that loss on Saturday, so if there is a chance for an upset, this would be it.
Watch the games from the 2017 IFAF Women’s World Championship live here.
Day 2: June 27
11:30 am: Mexico (6) v. Australia (5)
3″30 pm: Finland v. United States
7:30 pm: Great Britain v. Canada
