Graceland Flag Football Battles Hard but Falls Short Against Southwestern
LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University Yellowjackets women's flag football team put forth a strong effort in a tightly contested matchup against Southwestern on Saturday afternoon but came up short in a 19-13 loss.
The Yellowjackets opened the scoring in the second quarter with a touchdown drive spanning 49 yards over nine plays, capped off by a successful one-point conversion pass from Delaney Mondino. However, Southwestern quickly responded with a touchdown of their own, bringing the score to 7-6 at halftime in favor of Graceland.
The second half saw momentum shift as Southwestern found the end zone in the third quarter to take a 12-7 lead. Graceland answered back in the fourth, reclaiming the lead at 13-12 following a 50-yard, three-play scoring drive. However, Southwestern responded once again with a final touchdown drive of 66 yards, sealing the game at 19-13.
Key Performances
Quarterback Shyla Barrios led the offense, completing 18 of 28 pass attempts for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Barrios also contributed 33 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored a rushing touchdown.
Mondino showcased her playmaking ability with four receptions for 81 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown grab. Jazharia Taylor also played a key role, tallying six receptions for 36 yards.
Defensively, Mikiah Verdum made a significant impact with seven solo tackles and an interception. Jazharia Taylor and Aiyanna Hannah each recorded five tackles, while Ahmari Byrd and Caitlyn Valero contributed two apiece.
Statistical Highlights
- Total Offense: Southwestern – 239 yards, Graceland – 207 yards
- Passing Yards: Southwestern – 181, Graceland – 174
- Rushing Yards: Southwestern – 58, Graceland – 33
- First Downs: Southwestern – 12, Graceland – 8
- Turnovers: Both teams recorded one interception
Despite the loss, Graceland demonstrated resilience and discipline, limiting penalties to just two for five yards. The team will look to build upon this performance as they prepare for their next matchup.
Upcoming Matchup
The Yellowjackets will be back in action on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m., when they travel to Fulton, Missouri, to take on William Woods University. This matchup presents another opportunity for Graceland to showcase its development and compete for a key victory.
For more information on the Graceland University women's flag football team and all Yellowjackets athletics, visit GUjackets.com.