LAKE WALES, Fla. (March 5, 2023) - For the first time in the 2023 season, the Webber International University women's flag football team matched up against its Crooked Lake rivals, Warner University, on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors struggled to contain the aerial-attack of the Royals as they fell 31-18.

The Warriors (2-2 overall, 2-2 SUN) allowed just over 300 yards of total offense to the Royals (2-1, 2-1), the most to any team so far this season.

Warner started the game off on offense and quickly moved the ball down the field with deep-shots through the air. It did not take long for the Royals to get on the board as they scored on their opening drive. The Warriors were unable to respond and the Royals capitalized with yet another touchdown, taking a 13-0 lead after the opening quarter.

The Royals scored once more at the beginning of the second quarter to establish a 19-0 lead. The Warriors finally found the endzone, courtesy of a one-yard touchdown rush by Samantha Wilson. After a failed point-after-attempt, Webber still trailed by 13 at 19-6. Later in the quarter with the clock ticking down, the Warriors tried to stall the Royals but were unsuccessful as they scored for a fourth time to take a 25-6 lead at the break.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter before the Warriors tried to do everything they could to get themselves back into the game in the final quarter of play. Webber scored twice in the fourth quarter, both touchdowns coming by way of Hayden Rupe who caught one and ran another one in late in the game. It was too little too late for the Warriors as they suffered their second defeat of the season thus far.

Wilson completed 23 of her 34 pass attempts for a total of 240 yards. She finished with two total touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, and an interception which came on the final play of the game. Rupe led the Warriors in receiving with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Kayla Burrows finished with a team-high six catches for 47 yards, followed by Emma Balacco with four grabs for 29 yards.

Breaza Robinson once again led the team in flag pulls with 10, followed closely behind by Burrows with nine. Jasmine Henry tallied four, two of which were for a loss, while Balacco and Rupe each had two.

The Warriors now head to non-conference play as they will travel to Campbellsville, Kentucky to play three games in two days. Webber will take on Campbellsville University on Tuesday, March 14th before facing Reinhardt University and Cottey College the following day at 12 and 3 p.m.