WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's flag football team delivered a statement day in the United East Conference here Saturday on a sunny and blustery afternoon in the nation's capital as the Bison remained unbeaten with two decisive victories over top conference opponents.
Gallaudet defeated previously unbeaten Penn State Harrisburg, 34-20, before closing out the day with a 19-7 win over Cairn University.
The Bison handed Penn State Harrisburg its first loss of the season and scored the most points the Lions have allowed all year. Entering the contest, Penn State Harrisburg was averaging 53.6 points per game.
The turning point came in the second quarter as Gallaudet erupted for 20 points. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions managed just seven points in the second as the Bison surged ahead for a commanding 27-7 halftime lead.
Gallaudet sophomore quarterback
Gianna Visco (Riverside, Calif.) completed 26 of 34 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns while adding 73 rushing yards on 19 carries and a score. Sophomore wide receiver
Citrine Lummer (Frederick, Md.) hauled in 13 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow sophomore wide receiver
Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.) added eight catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Lummer led the Bison with eight tackles and an interception. Zarembka contributed two tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups as Gallaudet forced four turnovers in the win.
For the Lions, quarterback Nadia King went 17-for-34 for 233 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted four times. Wide receiver Jordan Carpenter recorded five receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing a touchdown pass and making six tackles on defense.
Penn State Harrisburg (4-1, 3-1 United East) later rebounded to defeat Cairn, 12-0.
In the third and final game of the day, Gallaudet completed the sweep with a 19-7 win over Cairn (2-3, 2-3 United East).
The Bison (6-0, 4-0 United East) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter and added six points in both the second and third quarters to stay in control. Cairn got on the board in the second quarter but was unable to mount a comeback.
Visco led the offense once again, completing 23 of 35 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 54 yards and a score on 15 carries.
Lummer totaled nine receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown, while first year
Tiana Starayev (Noblesville, Ind.) added six catches for 67 yards.
Defensively, first year
Brittany Rivera (Hesperia, Calif.) recorded three sacks for a loss of 14 yards. Lummer and first year
Tamara Tadevosyan (Austin, Texas) led the team with six tackles apiece, and Zarembka added an interception with a 12-yard return.
Cairn quarterback Dezaray Bright finished 22-for-34 for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Abigail Di Sipio led the Highlanders with two receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
BISON TRACKS
- Visco accounted for 634 total yards and seven touchdowns across two games
- Lummer finished with 22 receptions, 283 yards, three TDs to go with 14 tackles and an interception on the day
- Gallaudet forced four turnovers against a high-powered Lions offense
- Bison remain unbeaten in United East play
- GU is now 2-0 against Cairn this season after a 32-6 road win last weekend
UP NEXT
Gallaudet will travel to Lancaster, Pa., this Wednesday, April 1, to face club team Lancaster Bible College at 6 p.m.
