Seeking friendly revenge this weekend, the St. Louis SLAM prepares for a cross-state battle against the team that handed them its lone setback this season.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
The SLAM (5-1) eyes its fourth consecutive win in a match-up with the Kansas City Titans (4-2) Saturday night at Lindenwood University (209 South Kingshighway St., St. Charles, MO). Kickoff for the “Show-Me State” franchises in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) is at 7 pm.
By scoring 31 points straight, St. Louis collected its third straight duke this past Saturday with a 52-19 home triumph versus Tulsa.
“I felt like the offense really clicked early on instead of late in the game,” reflected SLAM running back Taylor Hay, who had a pair of touchdown scores in the 33-point win against the Threat. “Also, the defense struggled the first half, but we picked each other up and we got it together.”
And things inevitably worked altogether this past weekend. Receivers Keyonna Smith and Kaylee Nuetzling each snagged pair of scoring passes and quarterback Jelani Kelly threw for four strikes, pushing her season total to 16.
The SLAM’s defense also rose to the occasion, holding the Threat to zero points in a 28-minute stretch.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
All cylinders are primed in the re-match with Kansas City, who handed the SLAM a 27-17 loss on May 2. Hay has a unique perspective of the Titans. Last season, when the SLAM was inactive as a franchise, she was one of three St. Louis players that wore cross-state colors. That insight helps but, in comparing and contrasting squads, Hay prefers to keep the analysis simple.
“It allows me to have intimate knowledge of the inner workings of both teams and knowing strengths, weaknesses, and player proclivities,” assessed Hay. “At the end of the day, the team that makes the least mistakes wins. The team who shows up willing to sacrifice everything for the women standing next to her on the field, wins. The team who is the hungriest, wins.”
The opponent certainly craves a road morsel this Saturday. Kansas City topped Minnesota Saturday night, 36-22, to improve to 4-2. Quarterback Katie Sowers had twelve touchdown passes through WFA Week 5 while scampering for four.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
With two games left in the SLAM’s regular season, Hay feels that her squad’s mentality is clearly focused as it heads into Saturday’s home turf battle.
“You always have to have the mindset of ‘We are the better team!'” she said. “That’s what wins games. Also, we have a statement to make our first year back. And last, but not least, this game impacts the possibility for a playoff run, so it’s super important.”
Tickets for the game at Harlan C. Hunter Stadium, billed as “Alumni Night,” are $12 while children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
Off the field, the SLAM is holding a “Trivia Night” fundraiser Friday night at 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church of Hungary (1420 South Sappington, St. Louis, MO). A table for eight players is $150 while individual tickets are $20.
For more information on SLAM Football, go to stlslam.com.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
