The Chicago Force made a bold statement in its playoff opener on Saturday night, June 22, defeating the previously-undefeated Cleveland Fusion 65-7 at Lazier Field on the campus of Evanston Township High School.
The Force led 30-0 at halftime and continued the beating in the third and fourth quarters. Cleveland's lone highlight was an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown.
"I felt like we played pretty well and it was a lot of fun," said Chicago safety Elisha Okrey, in her second season on the team. "Everyone on defense had a good game. It was an absolute, 100 percent team effort on defense."
Okrey was named the Defensive Game Day MVP, an award sponsored by Spin Nightclub. She returned a fourth quarter interception 33 yards for a touchdown, her first career TD.
"I was honored and surprised," with the award, Okrey said. "Every one of my defensive teammates could have won the award."
Mary Choules scored three rushing touchdowns, including the team's first points of the game. Brandy Hatcher had two rushing TDs, including a 6-yard run with :23 remaining to play to cap the scoring.
"We started strong," Hatcher said.
Chicago quarterback Sami Grisafe had three touchdown passes, two to Jeanette Gray, including an 80-yarder early in the second quarter, and one to Ashley Berggren. But Grisafe post-game lamented the interception-for-touchdown she threw in the fourth quarter and other offensive mistakes.
"We didn't play very well offensively," she said. "This is the playoffs and we have to play great throughout the game; we are the only ones keeping us from our destiny. We have to play better; we have to play our best football now. If we do that, no one can contain us. It starts and ends with us."
The Force plays its next playoff game on Saturday, July 13, against Atlanta. Game time is TBD.