FIJI slips past Sigma Alpha Mu

By: Kevin Castaneda & D’Joumbarey Moreau / Staff Writers

FIJI’s time management and big defensive plays gave them a narrow victory over Sigma Alpha Mu, 8-7 on Oct. 24.

FIJI started with the ball and slowly navigated 75 yards down the field. While they ended up turning the ball over on downs, they had eaten a substantial portion of the clock.

Sigma Alpha Mu, also known as Sammy, had no luck on their first drive. They were forced to punt and it only went 15 yards.

FIJI, having excellent field position, capitalized with a 30-yard touchdown pass down the sideline to take a 6-0 lead.

Sammy got the ball back and quarterback Mike Carbeo launched an immediate 80-yard touchdown strike to go up 7-6 before the half.

The second half started with an interception by FIJI’s cornerback Christopher Mazzara.

FIJI slowly moved the ball down the field, taking eight minutes off the clock.

When they got into scoring territory, their quarterback made an errant throw that resulted in an interception.

Sammy tried taking the ball out of the end zone, but they were stopped on the two-yard line.

With no room to move, Carbeo scrambled inside FIJI’s end zone only to be sacked by Lucas Almonte for a safety.

The safety gave FIJI an 8-7 lead with virtually no time left on the clock.

With only seconds to go, Carbeo heaved another pass down the sideline, but it was intercepted by Mazzara again, except this one ended the game.

When asked about his game-ending interception, Mazzara said, “Adrenaline is pumping, you can only play for the feel of this game.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon 34, Beta Theta Pi 0

Sigma Phi Epsilon quarterback Jared Rok was rock solid in their 34-0 victory over Beta Theta Pi.

Beta Theta Pi was unable to sustain a drive the entire night. They had five abysmal possessions. Those possessions resulted in two turnovers on downs and three interceptions.

Vice-versa, Sigma Phi Epsilon capitalized on every drive they had.

On their five drives, Rok threw for four touchdowns and the team’s fifth came on a trick play.

Beta Theta Pi had no answers for the pinpoint accurate Rok who stormed up the field, nor could they stop any of the lightening fast Sigma Phi Epislon receivers.

With the offense clicking on all cylinders in the playoff match, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s five touchdowns were too much for Beta Theta Pi.

Alpha Xi Delta

Starting Quarterback gone? No sweat, next woman up. Alpha Xi Delta inserted its second string quarterback, Christina Brador, into the game after their starter went down to an injury early. She came up big in the game and played well, helping lead Alpha Xi Delta over a win versus Phi Mu.

Because of the explosive athletes that Alpha Xi Delta has, Phi Mu tried to play a lot of defense with the use of their secondary. Rather than have Alpha Xi Delta’s playmakers torch them on the ground, they played the pass and tried to stop players from getting to the sideline. But as the defense made adjustments, so did Brador and the offense.

As her play progressed throughout the game, Brador began to notice this and began throwing darts across the middle of the Phi Mu defense. She took what the defense gave her, and she made the right plays at the opportune times, including a shovel pass that caught the defense off guard, leading to a touchdown.

“Our players are really agile and really quick,” said Brador. “My team is really quick, especially on offense. They are able to get to the ball when it’s in the air.”

Though the constant pressure of Alpha Xi Delta got to Phi Mu during the game, Phi Mu did not go out without making some noise. Late in the game they scored a touchdown with the use of a jump ball catch in the end zone to help cut the deficit.

Even though Alpha Xi Delta played well and won the game, there is always room for improvement.

“I want our defense to play a little bit better in the second half next game,” said Brador.

Playing a full game and finishing strong is the only way there will be a victory for Alpha Xi Delta when they face Alpha Omicron Pi on Oct. 31 for the championship game.

“We haven’t played them regular season so it’s going to be a good game,” said Amy “Bullet” Londono. We won last year’s championship, so we better win this year. It’s tradition.”

AOP

Coming into their semi final game, Alpha Omicron Pi’s defense only allowed 19 points. After their first playoff game, they only allowed six. This set the stage for the game for Oct. 24 against Sigma Kappa, who also won their playoff game with a shutout victory.

When they played on Monday, it was Alpha Omicron Pi who had success scoring early and often in the first half, defeating Sigma Kappa to advance to the championship game where they will match up with reigning champions Alpha Xi Delta.

Behind their signature stout defense, they forced turnovers and made the game difficult for Sigma Kappa’s offense most of the night.

Though Sigma Kappa kept their fight and never quit competing, they were hurt by the miscues on offense, dropping passes and committing penalties. It was counterproductive and it ultimately brought their offense out of sync. After countless passes that were tipped and forced late interceptions, credit can be given to the defense of Alpha Omicron Pi who has gotten a lot of takeaways with their aggress style of defense.

“We are really aggressive when it comes to defense,” said Kimberly Jeacoma.  “If the ball is in the air, it’s just as much ours as it is theirs. Every game we play, that’s the mentality we have.”

“We were communicating and following our assignments and not letting girls get behind us,” said Nicole Beachly.

Moving forward, Alpha Omicron Pi understands that in order to win this game, they will need to keep up the same style of play that got them to the championship game and not overlook their opponent.

“To go and win like we always have, but not to underestimate [Alpha Xi Delta],” said Beachly.

Playing against Alpha Xi Delta for the first time this year, Alpha Omicron Pi can be called the underdogs, as they will have the task of having to take their defense and match up with an electrifying group of athletes in Alpha Xi Delta.