For the second straight year, the Keiser University women’s flag football team played the Braves from Ottawa University in Kansas in the championship game of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament. And for the second straight year, Keiser’s Seahawks returned home as the national runner-up, falling 34-20 on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8.
The game was played at the Kansas City Current Training Facility in Riverside, Missouri. The turning point in the game took place in the third quarter, when Keiser committed three turnovers, which resulted in 14 points for Ottawa (23-0).
A pair of Seminole Ridge High School graduates — quarterback Haylie Young and receiver Chloe Griffin — were a big part of Keiser’s offense in the national championship game. Young completed 33 of 48 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns, while Griffin had four catches for 32 yards and an eight-yard touchdown reception.
The loss was just the second defeat all season for Keiser, which finished with a record of 20-2. Those 20 wins by Keiser were the most in program history.
Seahawks head coach Samantha Harris was disappointed to see her team lose in the national championship game but pleased with each player’s commitment to excellence throughout the season.
To reach the national championship game, Keiser won its two pool games — 84-0 against Cottey College on May 5 and 21-13 over Baker University on May 6. On May 7, Keiser played two elimination games, winning its quarterfinal game against Sun Conference rival St. Thomas University, 20-19, and defeating Baker University again in the tournament semifinals, 34-13.
This spring, Keiser produced a league-best 10 All-Sun Conference first team and second team selections.
Young and Griffin were named to the first team, while two other Seminole Ridge graduates, center Sophia Caprio and defensive rusher Emma Wagenman, were chosen for the second team.
