Late RSC Charge Falls Short in Season Finale
ELMIRA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women’s Flag Football wrapped up its inaugural season on Wednesday afternoon at Elmira.
ELMIRA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women's Flag Football wrapped up its inaugural season on Wednesday afternoon at Elmira.
Trailing 28-0 heading into the fourth quarter, the Gators scored three touchdowns in the final frame of the 48-20 road Empire 8 Conference setback.
Junior Bianca Ricciuto (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central/SUNY Poly) completed 17 passes for 190 yards and three TDs. She topped all participants with eight tackles.
The RSC passing attack was spread out pretty evenly this afternoon, with four players picking up more than 40 yards receiving.
Sophomore Hailey Blake (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central) led the way with five catches for 66 yards and a TD.
Sophomore Kaleigh Dean (Salt Point, NY/FDR) hauled in five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn) tallied 42 yards on four catches, while junior Cassidy Weiher (Aurora, CO/Cherokee Trail/Southern Maine) made two receptions for 41 yards, one of which was a touchdown.
Weiher added seven flag pulls, while freshman Michelle Espinal (New York, NY/Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School) and Dean recorded four tackles each.
The Gators, under the direction of Head Coach Denver Divens, close their first-ever spring with a 1-7 record, all E8 contests. With this afternoon's home win, Elmira (4-4/2-4 E8) locked up the fourth and final spot in the E8 Playoffs.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: Greco Construction is the inaugural sponsor of the Russell Sage College Women's Flag Football athletic program, the first of its kind in the Capital Region…Building on the momentum of the fastest-growing sport in the world, the multi-year agreement helped establish the 22nd athletic program at RSC…The 15-player roster features six student-athletes that compete on other Gator teams…The group includes Kelley, who started on the RSC Women's Volleyball and Women's Basketball teams, and freshman Isabella Clute (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), a key contributor on the Gators' Women's Soccer and Women's Basketball squads…The Gators hosted SUNY Brockport for the first intercollegiate women's flag football game played in New York State's Capital Region on Friday, March 27…RSC earned the first victory in program history on March 31, defeating visiting Hartwick 31-28…Kelley was chosen the Empire 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Saturday, April 4…The senior recorded 19 tackles, eight of which were for loss, and five sacks across three contests…She tallied seven tackles, four for loss, and two sacks in the Hartwick win…Kelley hauled in 11 catches for 158 yards and three touchdowns during the 1-2 week…She registered seven catches for 100 yards and three tuddys in the home victory vs. Hartwick.
