Women's football team loses in OT
By Kathleen Nelson Post-Dispatch
updated: 04/13/2003 12:15 AM

The St. Louis Slam lost on the field but won in the stands and gave their fans something extra Saturday in their inaugural game in the National Women's Football Association.

The Slam fell 12-6 to the Kansas City Krunch in overtime at Gateway Tech High School. The Krunch's Cathie Stansbery scored on a 5-yard run two plays after Slam running back Markie Copeland fumbled on the team's second possession in overtime.

"That was a little heart-wrenching," Slam coach Nancy Simonds said. "We made some mistakes at bad times, but we were right there."

Perhaps more important, the first women's tackle football game in St. Louis attracted more attention than anticipated. The ticket booth ran out of tickets and programs and the concession stand ran out of snacks because a crowd of more than 700 exceeded expectations.

"We found out we could do it," Simonds said. "We found out people wanted to see us. Most important, we got to play football."

The Slam gave the appearance of being an offensive machine when it took a 6-0 lead on the first possession. On the fifth play from scrimmage, quarterback Jesie Van Apeldoorn connected with wide receiver Myrt Davis on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 12 minutes 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

"That was beautiful," Simonds said. "We were off to such a good start."

The Krunch tied the score when linebacker Andrea O'Neil recovered a fumble on a reverse and carried the ball 62 yards into the end zone with 3:24 remaining in the half.

The Slam defense preserved the tie on a goal-line stand with 1:03 remaining when defensive lineman Brandy Galloway recovered a fumble on the Slam's 2-yard line.

As expected, the crowd included family and friends for each of the Slam's 38 members. The stands had a few curiosity seekers as well.

"I've never seen a women's football game, and I thought it would be fun to see the first," said Chereen Hawes of Ballwin. She declared the play "pretty good" and was surprised "at how big and fast the players are."