After seven years in the Cowichan Women’s Football League, the Hindsight Fishing Charters Ravens captured their first championship with a shocking upset win over the defending champion Crew on Friday evening.
The Ravens handed the Crew their first loss of the season in the title game, prevailing 46-6 thanks to a true team effort.
“We did awesome,” Ravens player Dana Thorne said. “I am super proud. We’ve had it in us to beat them for a while. [Quarterback Rikki Wylie] kept her head on right and that made the big difference. And our defence trusted one another. No cheating too much here and there and leaving gaps.”
Thorne and Nikita Kitagawa each had two touchdowns and a convert, while Wylie, Chelsea Strandlund and Morgan Rogers also scored. Rogers and Jamie Russell also had converts. On defence, Stradlund had three interceptions, Wylie had two sacks, and Lauren James had one sack.
“We played awesome as a team,” Wylie said. “Everyone was on their game and did their job. It was a great season with some phenomenal people.
“Definitely a season highlight and some epic plays from multiple people.”
Janelle Mould had the lone touchdown for the Crew, while Lenneke Vinoly had a sack and Marilou Sullivan had an interception.
“Other than our first offensive drive, we were never able to march down field,” Crew quarterback Jackie Harrison said. “We lost two key defensive players this season, so that created a few holes in our defence that the Ravens took advantage of. They are a great team with some incredible young athletes and definitely deserved the win this year.”
The Crew earned a bye to the final by winning their first-round game, while the Ravens had to beat the Sirens in a semifinal last Wednesday to get in. The Ravens scored at least once in every quarter of the semi on their way to a 48-20 win over the Sirens.
All six CWFL teams will be joined by eight from Vancouver, four from Victoria, one from Texas and one made up of retired Cowichan players for Sun Bowl XXXI at McAdam Park this weekend. Diane Beruldsen, president of the Florida-based International Women’s Flag Football Association will be on hand to see the tournament and speak about flag football around the world and its place in women’s sports.