GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo flag football team defeated Brockport at home on Friday, April 17 to secure the first-ever Empire 8 Regular Season Championship. The Knights victory of 27-19 improved their record to 11-4 overall and 6-1 in the conference, also securing the No. 1 seed for the postseason tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Following a defensive battle in the first quarter where neither team could find the end zone, the Golden Eagles were able to get on the board first in the second quarter. Brockport would score again to go ahead 13-0, then the Knights ran a two-minute drill to drive down the field and score with 11 seconds on the clock. Ella Koopman completed the six-yard touchdown pass to Natalia DiPalma to flip the momentum before half.
- Midway through the third quarter, Koopman found DiPalma once again, allowing Geneseo to take a 14-13 advantage. The Knights then ran an 8 play 67-yard drive at the end of the third quarter to go up 21-13, this time with Koopman finding Kenna MacKenzie for an eight-yard touchdown.
- Brockport was able to answer back with a quick touchdown of their own, but the Knights defense didn't let them convert the extra point and held the two-point lead.
- Facing a third and 21 and the possiblity of giving the Golden Eagles the ball back with a chance to win, Koopman connected with MacKenzie for a 41-yard touchdown to seal the win.
QUICK FACTS:
- Koopman was dominant through the air, going 33-53 for 361 yards and four touchdowns. She was also the leading rusher for the Knights with 49 yards.
- DiPalma caught 10 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while MacKenzie added 92 yards and two touchdowns.
- Defensively, Caitlyn Schutte added a team-high nine flag pulls with an interception, while Emily McLouth tallied six flag pulls and a pick.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo closes out the regular season at Elmira, tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
