The new-look Chicago Force was just like the old time team on April 11 in the season opener against the West Michigan Mayhem at Lane Stadium on the campus of Lane Tech High School.
The Force dominated the Mayhem, building a 38-0 lead after the first quarter en route to a 63-0 mauling and the 100th win in team history.
"I saw a lot of things that I was happy with, though obviously there were some things that we still need to improve on," Force owner Linda Bache said outside the team's victorious locker room. "I was very happy with our defensive play; it was very active, swarming.
"We knew we'd get our 100th win this season. I'm just happy we were able to get it here at home, with a lot of our alumni in the standsbecause they are the ones responsible for our first 99 wins."
Former Force players watching the action included Sami Grisafe, Darcy Leslie, Tricia Charbonneau and Amanda Malsch, among others.
Force rookie Cassey Brick opened the scoring at 10:50 of the first quarter with a 79-yard touchdown sprint. She also had a 40-yard TD run in the first quarter and a 55-yard TD run at the end of the second quarter as Chicago carried a 51-0 edge at halftime.
Brick's dominant offensive showing earned her the Offensive Game Day MVP Award, sponsored by Spin Nightclub and DLG Management.
"[Brick] was lights out, which was not unexpected. She's a super athlete," Bache said.
Force quarterback Rachel Gore connected with receiver Jeanette Gray for 2 touchdowns.
Force newcomer Jamie Fornal had a 48-yard interception for a touchdown in the first quarter.
"Jamie played really well," Bache said.
The Defensive Game Day MVP Award, sponsored by Spin Nightclub and DLG Management, was presented to Sonja Drangsholt, who lives in Norway.
Yes, Norway, as in Scandinavia.
In fact, she arrived the night before the game after three flights, flight delays, and more than 11 hours of commuting. And she was flying home on Sunday night.
Drangsholt, 19, led the team with 8 tacklesand ironically, she had never even practiced with the Force.
"She did exactly what the coaches asked her to do," Bache said. "I knew she was going to be a standout … I didn't expect it so quickly. She really met the challenge."
Drangsholt said she "had a blast," though admittedly was "so nervous" before the game.
"I loved it; I'm still in shock [winning the Defensive Game Day MVP Award]," she said.
Drangsholt's dad, Glenn, is from the Chicago area, and she was able to use some of his frequent flyer miles. Ironically, her mom, Annette, played football on a men's team in Norway for two years before Sonja was born.
"This was awesome," Drangsholt said of her Force debut.
Bache noted that Kelsey Casey "played great" on defense, "and we need that." Bache also highlighted the play of Sarah Rogers.
The next Force home game is May 9 against Indy.