Cleveland defeats Pittsburgh
in Football!

You may recall that last year's meeting between these two teams was another such event, requiring overtime to produce a winner. In each game, the Fusion came out on top by the narrowest of margins. Last year it was 29-28, this time it was 13-12. They'll play again, this time in Pittsburgh on May 27.

From the opening kickoff, it was evident that these two teams were not going to do less than battle for the victory. However, Cleveland made the first touchdown and never gave up the lead. TE Shauna Nevel put the Fusion on the scoreboard with 7:54 remaining in the first quarter, on a 27 yard pass from QB Casey Stinson. Jennifer Sheldon's kick was good, and the score remained 7-0, until the final minute of the half, when Pittsburgh's QB Lisa Horton took it in from the 3-yard line. The Passion tried for a two-point conversion, but were thwarted by the Fusion. At the half, the score was 7-6.

Midway in the third quarter, Fusion QB Stinson crossed the goal line, but this time Sheldon's kick was blocked, bringing the score to 13-6. There were several missed scoring opportunities for both teams until nearing the end of the game, Passion QB Horton's 23-yard pass to TE Kate Sullivan was successful bringing the score to 13-12.

Then came a long episode of Pittsburgh trying desperately to make an extra point or two. Their first two-point attempt was called back for a holding penalty, while the second incurred offensive pass interference, bringing the ball out to the 27 yard line. The third attempt saw Fusion DB Peru Barber temporarily side-lined due to an injury while her team was penalized for pass interference. With the ball now on the 14 yard line, Horton's pass was incomplete, and the game once again moved forward, but neither team could quite make it back to the endzone. Horton was also her team's leading rusher with 62 yards on 10 attempts. Hardly surprising, then that she was the Passion's offensive MVP for the game.

Barber was able to return, making a key interception at the 20-yard line, just before the two-minute warning. She was the defensive standout for the game with 7 solo tackles and 3 assists, in addition to the interception. while LB Stephanie Balochko recovered two fumbles, and had 3 solo tackles plus 7 assists. DB Stefanie Russo forced a fumble and had five assists. Two rookies came up big for the Fusion in their first game: DB Sheila Majni recovered a fumble and had 2 assists, while DB Desiree Alexander had both an interception and a pass deflection.

Offensively, Fusion QB Casey Stinson once again demonstrated her versatility by passing for one TD and rushing for another. She was 12 of 24 attempts for 172 yards, but lost a yard on her only sack. She was intercepted twice. Stinson was the second best ground gainer, with 33 yards in 5 carries. Last years Fusion MVP Martina Latessa ran for 113 yards on 21 carries. Nevel rolled up 73 yards on 6 catches.

The Fusion had 18 first downs; the Passion 11. The Passion had more penalties called, 10-7, but lost slightly less yardage, 75 to 82 for the Fusion. Melissa Nelson was the Passion's leading tackler with 7 solos and 2 assists and also recovered a fumble. Beth Amato had 8 solos, Michelle Wilkerson had 6 solos and 2 assists and an interception, while Teresa Conn had 5 solos, 2 assists a fumble recovery and an interception.

This week's game on Saturday April 29, begins an hour later than usual, at 8:05 pm, at Bedford's Bearcat Stadium. The Fusion will host the Erie (PA) Illusion, who have won one and lost one, so far this season.

For tickets or more information check the Fusion web-site or call the team office at (440) 816-1457.