(ST. LOUIS, MO) Earlier this year, there was some uncertainty for the St. Louis SLAM professional tackle football team as they made a return to the gridiron after a one-season absence.
Photo Credit: Brian Ledford
The Tier II national champions for the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) in 2016 and 2017 brought back numerous players for the 2019 roster but would time away from the turf result in a rebuilding year and shaky results?
The simple answer now is an emphatic “no!” This team is just as good as when it last hoisted hardware two years ago.
That was evident in the SLAM’s 42-0 victory over the Columbus Vanguards Saturday night at St. Mary’s High School that resulted in an undefeated regular season record (8-0).
SLAM highlights for the night included three touchdowns posted in the second quarter and a stubborn defense that recorded their third on-field shutout of the season.
Photo Credit: Brian Ledford
St. Louis now awaits post-season placement by the WFA and as the top rated Tier II team as dictated by their governing body’s calculated Massey rankings, home field advantage is a lock for the opening round.
SLAM quarter back Jaime Gaal connected with receiver Chelsey Clay with a 10-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and sported a 7-0 following Danielle Thompson’s successful PAT kick.
Early in the second quarter, veteran running back Taylor Hay collected her fifth touchdown run of the season with a six-yard scamper that pushed the score to 14-0 after Thompson’s second successful kick.
The momentum continued as the SLAM widened the lead to 28-0 as Mary Altepeter recorded her fourth touchdown run of the season.
After the intermission break, St. Louis pushed their lead to 35-0 as Gaal connected with receiver Danielle Price for 24 yards en route to her sixth touchdown catch, and eighth overall, this season.
St. Louis put the cherry on top for their unblemished regular season with stellar defensive play. Veronica Smith intercepted a Columbus pass and returned it 60 yards for the final blow. Thompson was six-for-six in extra point kicks on the night.
Whoever the future opponent for the SLAM in the opening round of the WFA playoffs is still unknown.
But one thing’s for sure. Whoever it is is certainly going to have their hands full.
For more information on the SLAM, go to their official website.
(Story constructed by the online coverage from the St. Louis SLAM.)
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.
