STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN | They had a mission. They accomplished it in dominating fashion.
The United States won the first International Federation of American Football Women's World Championship gold medal with a 66-0 victory over Canada at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium on Saturday.
Team USA coach John Konecki, a Crete-Monee assistant for boys in the fall and a Schererville resident, said, "Canada was an excellent team and we had to work hard to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women."
Whiting grad Jamie Menzyk was named game MVP with fierce blocking as the Americans ran at will.
On Team USA's opening drive, Jessica Springer lined up in the wildcat and plowed her way through the Canadian defense for a first down to Canada's 20-yard line. On the next play Springer ran straight into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown and with Emily Williams' extra point USA went up 7-0 with 9:45 left in the first quarter. The rout ensued.
The American's third touchdown came on a screen play for Desiree Weimann, followed by an 18-yard run by Brickhouse who found some room down the middle behind Menzyk.
Springer showed her power again with a 27-yard run and then with a handoff to Weimann who went untouched down the middle for a 25-yard touchdown as the United States increased their lead to 22-0 with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The United States now holds all IFAF tackle football world titles with the USA Football Women's National Team joining the male counterparts, who won the senior crown in 2007 against Japan, and the juniors (aged 19 and under), who beat Canada to win the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship.
