Cleveland Fusion Football

Fusion End 2003 Season

Playoff, or tournament seeding isn't exactly brain surgery. The number one team in the standings at the end of the season usually becomes the number one seed, and so forth down the line, for as many seeded places as are wanted or needed. While it is disappointing to a lot of people, it is really no great surprise to find the top two seeded teams in each conference of the National Women's Football Association playing each other for the conference title, and the right to then advance to the League Championship game.

This coming Saturday, July 19th number one rated Detroit Demolition will host the number two Philadelphia Phoenix for the Northern Conference title while the number one rated Pensacola Power plays the visiting number two Oklahoma City Lightning for the Southern Conference championship. Two weeks later, on August 2nd the League Championship Game will be played in Nashville at Vanderbilt University's Stadium, the largest venue so far to welcome a women's professional tackle football game. The offices of the four-year old National Women's Football Association are also based in Nashville.

After three months of intense, hard-fought games, the 2003 season for the Cleveland Fusion came to an end last Saturday in Detroit as the Demolition was the winner of this semi-final game, 28-15. The hardest part for the Fusion, however, was leaving two teammates behind in local hospitals when the team bus departed for home. Meredith Racy and Lisa Heinl sustained injuries severe enough to require immediate attention, although both are now home in Cleveland and recovering well. Heinl (suffering a severe split lip) was the leading rusher for the Fusion in that game, as she had been in others, with 37 yards.

Quarterback Mary Deitrick completed 14 of 34 passes for 118 yards and scored one touchdown on a keeper in the 3rd quarter, but the two-point conversion attempt failed. Cleveland's other scores were on a 4-yard pass from Deitrick to running back Martina Latessa in the 2nd quarter and a 24 yard field goal by Danielle Weiss with 8:11 remaining in the game.

Detroit scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, each on one-yard rushes: Anne Yoches at 10:53 and Kim Grodus with just 1:57 left on the clock. On the first extra point attempt, Misty Findlay's kick was not good, and on the second, Detroit achieved their two-point conversion on a pass play from Kim Grodus to Anne Yoches. In the final quarter, they again scored two touchdowns, with Grodus repeating her one-yard rushing effort, followed by Findlay's successful kick. The final touchdown came on a 13 yard run by Laurie Aaron with 6:21 remaining, and again Findlay's kick was good.

These two teams, clearly the class of the division had fans on both sides of the stadium on their feet, yelling—loudly—for most of the game.

The members of the Cleveland Fusion have one more road-trip in their future for this year, however. On Sunday July 27, they travel to Canton to march in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade. A fitting place for these superb athletes to be, on a day honoring their chosen sport. And then, it's a brief respite before beginning all over again.

Wait 'til next year!  Listen. You can hear it already.

-- Kelly Ferjutz
Cleveland Fusion Staff Writer
 

In their second season of play, The Cleveland Fusion of the National Women's Football Association again finished second in the Great Lakes Division of the Northern Conference, and will host the Baltimore Burn of the Mid Atlantic Division in the first playoff game on June 28, 2003. This game will be played at the Fusion's regular home field - that of the Bedford High Bearcats, 481 Northfield Road, in Bedford, Ohio. Kickoff is at 7:05 pm.

Ticket prices remain the same as the regular season:
$10. adults, $5. students and seniors, and are available at the Fusion's web-site -

http://www.clevelandfusion.com

 or by calling the ticket office at:
(440) 816-1457.

The NWFA has 30 teams in two conferences, with three divisions each. The top team in each division is automatically in the playoffs, while the remaining six places were determined by a combination of games won/lost and points allowed. Thus, in the Northern Conference, the Cleveland Fusion are seeded fourth after Detroit (#1), Philadelphia (#2) and Washington, D. C. (#3). Fifth is Baltimore, followed by Connecticut, which will play Washington this week. Detroit and Philadelphia have byes for this first week.

In the Southern Conference, Pensacola is #1, Chattanooga #2, Oklahoma City #3, Alabama #4, Asheville #5 and Nashville #6. Pensacola and Chattanooga are the bye teams this week. The Championship game between the top team in each conference (after the three playoff games) will face each other in Nashville on Saturday Augsut 2, 2003.

For more information, go to the league's web-site: http://www.womensfootballassociation.com/
 

April 12th @ Detroit Demolition (Fusion 0 - Demolition 7)
April 19th @ Toledo Spitfire (Fusion 66 - Toledo 0)
HOME April 26th - S. West Michigan Jaguars
HOME May 3rd - Indiana Thunder

Cleveland Fusion (3-1) vs. Indiana Thunder (0-3)

Final Score:  Fusion 90 – Thunder 0

Saturday May 3, 2003

Bedford Stadium-Cleveland, Oh

         After taking it on the chin last week from Detroit, the (0-2) Indiana Thunder roll into to town looking to rebound.  However, this may not be the most opportune time, having to face a Fusion defense that is giving up just over four points a game.  Shortly after Browns RB Jamel White provided the coin toss, Indiana’s RB was stripped by Fusion LB Jennifer Ryba, which gave the Fusion the ball on the Indiana 30, and two running plays later it was 7-0.

Again turnovers leading to Fusion points, with 7:42 left in the 1st quarter the Fusion already up 21-0 after a blocked punt and an interception return by Fusion CB Joy Kosiewicz. Mary Deitrick starting at quarterback this week got another gift with the ball on the Indiana 27 and on second down threw a dart over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown pass to Shauna Nevel.  Then Marie Spencer starting at safety tonight fought for an interception, which lead to another Fusion scoring drive. Defensive pressure on the opposing quarterback caused havoc and it was the running game sustaining the offense until team-leading receiver Lori Johnson took a 25-yard pass form Deitrick and turned it into 60-yard touchdown. That’s when the hit parade continued late in the second quarter when Deitrick hit Meredith Racy & Jackie Tadych on their respective touchdown catches.

The Indiana Thunder (I’m sure looking for their bus) turned the ball over an unbelievable 8 times in the first-half alone which contributed to 56 -0 Fusion lead.  The Fusion’s kicking game looking much improved with better kickoffs and Danielle Weiss going 7 for 7 on PAT attempts in the first half.  Injuries to Fusion QB Suzie Koziol, Safety Peru Barber, and WR Alana Bader did not seem to slow the Fusion as they disintegrated another division opponent 90-0, that’s right ninety. The Fusion will get to rest next week as they enjoy their first of two bye weeks.

 BY: Fusion Staff Writer, TONY BOVARO

May 10th - BYE WEEK

Week 5 Scores

May 17th @ Indiana Thunder

Week 6 Scores

HOME May 24th - Toledo Spitfire
May 31st - BYE WEEK
June 7th @ S. West Michigan Jaguars
HOME June 14th - Detroit Demolition

**Games begin at 7:05pm -

Bedford Stadium - 481 Northfield Road

For tickets please call 440.816.1457 or
email: tickets@clevelandfusion.com
Adults: $10 Students & Seniors $5