The call was simple. Inside zone. The halfback takes the handoff from the quarterback and runs behind her blocking offensive line. If the hole is there, bang it. If it’s not, bounce it.
And what was what sophomore Jamie Stella did, using her blazing speed to bounce the handoff to the edge from 11 yards out, tight roping the sideline and plunging into the endzone. The Mavs had taken the lead, en route to the first victory in Women’s Flag Football history, and team swarmed her in the endzone. So, she did what she always does in pregame rituals – the worm, as her team piled around her.
She would say it wasn’t just a personal moment; it was the result of everyone making the most of their opportunities.
“Celebrating will always be my favorite part,” said the speedy Stella with a smirk. “But more than anything, it was about celebrating our first big win together and sharing that energy across the whole team.”
The Mercy University women’s flag football team earned a 14-8 victory over Long Island University on March 17 in a game where preparation, teamwork, and focus made all the difference.
The game wasn’t over when Stella scored. Long Island University connected with a long pass down the sideline moments later to the Mercy 15-yard line when she was run down by safety Madison Brefka. A big downfield flag pull by freshman cornerback Gwendolyn Smith and a sack by linebacker Rebecca McClure allowed the Mavericks to hold on for the win.
Junior quarterback Kate Lynne Conklin led the way offensively, rushing for 59 yards and throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brefka, a sophomore. Brefka added 17 yards on the ground and finished with 56 receiving yards. Sophomore Jaime Stella powered in the game-winning touchdown on an 11-yard run.
But the win wasn’t just about the offense. Mercy’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. McClure, a senior, had two sacks, three flag pulls, and a key 19-yard reception on fourth down, while sophomore Kaylise McClure, Smith and sophomore Anna Palmieri made key stops that prevented the Sharks from mounting a comeback.
“It was all about grit,” said Michael Perrota, the Maverick head coach. “We were down and put ourselves in some bad spots. But we are learning. What we don’t have in experience, we have in grit.”
The Mavs fell behind 2-0 after a safety, then lead up a touchdown on a hook and lateral on fourth down in their territory. After a failed conversion, the Mavs trailed 8-0. The teams swapped possessions until Conklin and Brefka struck for a huge play. Conklin’s mobility and decisions kept the chains moving for most of the day. She found Brefka on a crossing route for a short pass than turned into a long gain after Brefka outraced the entire team.
“Kate has been so tough in the pocket this season,” said Perrota of his quarterback. “The team feeds off her will to fight.”
Conklin just began playing quarterback in February but it starting to understand the
“Getting comfortable in the pocket really came down to trusting my teammates to be where they need to be…being in the right place for their runs or picking up blocks for me so I can have the chance to step up and gain yards for us,” said Conklin. “When we are do our job, you can tell we are having fun together.”
Brefka raced down the sideline for the score and change the complexity of the game. She said it was an incredible moment to share with her team and was taken back when everyone rushed her in the endzone to celebrate.
“The excitement I felt running…then to turn around and see everyone smiling…it felt like everything was starting to come together,” said Brefka. “I’m so proud of everyone and how far we have come.”
And they have come far, said Perrota. Brefka was one of a handful of players who had any football experience at all before this season, so it was only fitting she scored the inaugural touchdown in Mercy history. Brefka from Conklin were the first points in Mercy Flag history on Feb. 28 in the opener at Penn State.
“Maddie is dangerous in the open field,” said Perrota. “She is a true playmaker on both sides of the ball.”
The offense stabilized under the blocking protection from Kaylise McClure, who improves every week at center.
“Her work ethic is incredible. She is opening up the offense by being a reliable blocker and receiver at center.”
The team missed on the conversion and trailed 8-6 at halftime. The staunch defense game runs by Brefka and Conklin set up a huge slant pass conversion to Rebecca McClure. One play later, Stella scored to make the score, 12-6. McClure then caught another slant on the two-point conversion.
“She made two huge catches,” said Perrota of Rebecca McClure. “And was a monster on defense.”
Sophomore cornerback Eunice Santiago missed the game and will miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear, but she is always there to mentor and support her teammates from the sideline.
“It was a great to experience the program’s first ever win. We learned from our mistakes and adapted,” she said. “This puts us one step closer to success in the future, and I am grateful to be with such a great group of women.”
