The Rebellion sporting their new white helmets that features a decal (axe) for the 1st time in team history.
ESCONDIDO, CA – The San Diego Rebellion (2-0) did what they have always done against the Los Angeles Legends (1-1).
Win.
Behind a dazzling defensive performance from Harmine Christina Leo and a balanced offensive attack, the Rebellion defeated their Pacific Division rivals 28-13 on Saturday night at Escondido High School's Wilson Stadium. The victory extends San Diego's perfect all-time record against Los Angeles to 7-0.
"It's a rivalry game, and those are never easy," said head coach Knengi Martin. "But our girls executed when it mattered most. That's what this team does."
The story of the game was Leo, who recorded three interceptions.
"Amazing!" Leo said of her record performance after the game. "I'm so happy with how the game went down. Our team has been working really hard. We know exactly what we have to do...get it all the way to the championship. So I just gave it all on the field."
The newly signed defensive back out of Montreal, Canada, who played for the Jersey Shore Wave last season, had never recorded an interception in the WNFC before Saturday night. She now has three.
"It is a career record," she said with a smile. "This is my first time getting an interception in the WNFC. And I got one, two, and three."
Laurisa Hollenshed added two interceptions of her own, giving the Rebellion five total picks on the night. The defensive backfield was relentless, constantly disrupting Legends offense and turning the game into a turnover-fueled statement.
"Everybody gets on the field and gives everything they have," Leo said. "So I just had to do the exact same every single play. We're just focused. We just keep going."
The Rebellion struck first and struck fast.
On their opening drive, quarterback Daniella Trainor connected with Taranisha Taylor on a 68-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 left the first quarter. The extra point was good, and San Diego led 7-0.
Los Angeles answered late in the second quarter. Meagan Curtis punched in a one-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining before halftime, and the extra point tied the game at 7-7 heading into the break.
The Rebellion seized control in the third quarter.
Kesz Wesley powered in from four yards out at the 7:52 mark to make it 14-7. Less than five minutes later, Jennifer Ingargiola added a 10-yard touchdown run at 3:11, pushing the lead to 21-7.
San Diego put the game away in the fourth quarter. Trainor found Gianna Zamora for an 11-yard touchdown pass at 7:43, extending the lead to 28-7.
Los Angeles added a late score when Curtis scored her second rushing touchdown of the night with 1:53 remaining, but the Legends' three-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the final margin at 28-13.
Head coach Knengi Martin acknowledged that while the win was satisfying, there is still work to do – particularly against the run.
"They got two great running backs," Martin said of the Legends. "You're facing a good team with great athletes, you got to be perfect, otherwise they're going to get plays on you."
When asked about San Diego's perfect 7-0 record against Los Angeles, Martin dismissed any talk of history.
"Something we always talk about is respect all, fear none," Martin said. "We don't think about people's records or what we've done against them in the past. We try to focus on where they are now, the athletes they have, the scheme that they're running. We just approach every game as if it's the biggest game we've got."
The Rebellion (2-0) hit the road next week to face the Las Vegas Silver Stars (0-2), who are coming off a 31-2 loss to the Golden State Storm, who the Rebellion blanked 36-0 last week.
"Vegas always has athletes," Martin said. "They played a tough fought game against LA last week. We know that they're going to come in hungry. We scrimmaged them in the preseason, so they've had a taste of us. We've had a taste of them. I think it's going to be another hard fought battle."
Leo echoed her coach's focus on the task ahead.
"We have to stay focused," Leo said. "We have to take nothing for granted, keep working hard at practice, out of practice, and at the gym."
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