Pittsburgh Passion

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Pittsburgh Passion
Founded2002
LeagueNWFA (2003-2007)
IWFL (2008-2010)
WFA (2011-2013)
IWFL (2014-2015)
WFA (2016-present)
Team historyPittsburgh Passion (2003-present)
Based inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
StadiumWest Allegheny High School
Imperial, Pennsylvania
ColorsBlack & Gold, White
OwnerTeresa Conn, Anthony Misitano & estate of Franco Harris
Head coachTeresa Conn
Championships3 (2007 NWFA) (2014, 2015 IWFL)
Division titles2 (2007 NWFA, 2008 IWFL, 2011 WFA)

The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The franchise was formed in March 2002 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn, Anthony Misitano, and the family of Franco Harris. The team is a part of the Women's Football Alliance, with home games played at West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania.

History[edit]

In 2003, the Passion played its home games at Belle Vernon Area High School. The team finished its inaugural season with a 2–6 record. The average attendance at each of their four home games that season was between 2,500 and 3,000 fans.

In 2004 season, the Passion changed its home stadium to Ambridge High School's Moe Rubenstein Stadium. The team improved its regular season record to 6–2, just missing the playoffs as a Northern Conference wildcard team. The Passion led the league in attendance for 2004 with crowds approaching 4,000 fans per game.

In 2005, the Passion carried an active roster of 55 players along with a practice squad.

Starting in 2006, the Passion have played its home games at George K. Cupples Stadium (formerly "South Stadium") in the South Side of Pittsburgh.

In 2007, the Passion recorded an undefeated regular season going 8–0. After winning all three of their home playoff games, the team improved to 11-0 after victories over Erie, the West Michigan Mayhem, and Cleveland. The team then won the National Championship Game on July 21, 2007, against the Columbus Comets by a score of 32–0.

In 2008, the Passion recorded their second consecutive perfect regular season, finishing 8–0, winning the North Atlantic Division title, and defeating the Orlando Mayhem in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Championship to the Chicago Force by a score of 8–7, ending their 23-game winning streak that dated back to 2006.

In 2009, the Passion finished 7–1, good for the Eastern Conference wild card spot. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Semifinal to eventual conference champion D.C. Divas 27–17.

In 2010, the Passion finished 4-4, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

For 2011, the Passion joined the Women's Football Alliance. They finished their inaugural regular season with a perfect 8-0 and won the Mid-Atlantic Division title before losing to the Chicago Force in the National Conference quarterfinal game.

In 2014 and 2015 they won the IWFL Championship in Rock Hill, SC

May 21, 2016 The Passion won the NFC Central North Division with this victory and it is their 6th Division title in team history.

Notable achievements[edit]

Season-By-Season[edit]

Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
Pittsburgh Passion (NWFA)
2003 2 6 0 4th Mid-Atlantic Division --
2004 6 2 0 2nd North Mid-Atlantic --
2005 5 3 0 9th North Division --
2006 5 3 0 3rd North Central --
2007 8 0 0 1st North Central Won Northern Conference Quarterfinal (Erie)
Won Northern Conference Semifinal (West Michigan)
Won Northern Conference Championship (Cleveland)
Won NWFA Championship (Columbus)
Pittsburgh Passion (IWFL)
2008 8 0 0 1st East North Atlantic Won Eastern Conference Semifinal (Orlando)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Chicago)
2009 7 1 0 2nd East Mid Atlantic Lost Eastern Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
2010 4 4 0 3rd East Northeast --
Pittsburgh Passion (WFA)
2011 8 0 0 1st National Mid-Atlantic Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (Chicago)
2012 7 1 0 2nd National Division 3 Won National Conference First Round (Detroit)
Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (D.C.)
Totals 66 24 0 (including playoffs)

* = current standing

Roster[edit]

Pittsburgh Passion Roster 2016
Quarterbacks
  • 14 Lisa Horton
  • 16 Kara Prentice
  • 3 Jana Meister
FS
  • 6 Remy Olinzock
  • 41 Kim Beaver
FB
  • 26 Melinda Henderson
  • 48 Moni Sciullo
TE
  • 89 Lorraine Stanek
LS
  • 16 Kara Prentice
Running Backs
  • 5 Sonya Osselborn *Bit*
  • 6 Remy Olinzock
  • 13 Tara Sease
  • 25 Tara Catone
  • 31 Qualin Pitts
  • 34 Kia Foster
  • 54 Sarah Niedermeyer
  • 87 Hope Fletcher
Wide Receivers
  • 4 Kristea Smith
  • 7 Alyanna Marin
  • 8 Sharon Vasquez
  • 12 Cassie Hauser
  • 17 Rachel Wojdowski
  • 18 Santana Ramsey
  • 37 Ashley DiCicco
  • 80 Jessica Melodia
  • 81 Laura Baden
  • 82 Angela Baker
  • 84 Nikki Goisse
Offensive Line
  • 35 Kim Dreischalick
  • 46 Kate "Sully" Sullivan
  • 64 Shelby Horak
  • 71 Kweilin Wofford
  • 73 Lauren "Goose" Ferragonio
  • 74 Paige Bowman
  • 75 Kristen Holzer
  • 76 Samantha "Sam" Simeone
  • 79 Aliesha Pollino
  • 89 Lorraine Stanek
  • 96 Kaitlyn Mackay
OLB
  • 47 Johana Collins
  • 58 Amanda Wensel
  • 61 Diane Anderson
ILB
  • 19 Katie Kacinko
  • 36 Hannah Daman
  • 53 Jaharia Filmore
  • 55 Hope Crawford
  • 94 Danielle Ripper
Defensive Line
  • 20 Chelsea Zahn
  • 24 Denise Taylor
  • 52 Melanie "Hammer" Hammond
  • 63 Brittany McKinstry
  • 68 Necla Ragins
  • 75 Kristen Holzer
  • 76 Samantha "Sam" Simeone
  • 77 Kaitlain Niedermeyer
  • 98 Kim Zubovic
DE
  • 23 Kasey Hatfield
  • 50 Shannon Ribblett
  • 57 Jessica "Jessy" Nelko
  • 92 Kiara Keys
  • 97 Deitra Cooper
Linebackers
  • 20 Chelsea Zahn
  • 28 Rosie Christian
  • 49 Miashanti Smith
Defensive Backs
  • 72 Toni Jones
  • 51 Jamie Rimel
  • 41 Kim Beaver
  • 33 Kelli Clark
  • 8 Sharon Vasquez
  • 32 Allison Bashe
  • 30 Madison Baxter
  • 18 Santana Ramsey
  • 10 Ashley Strawn
  • 9 Rebecca Ehrgood
  • 2 Jess Cimino
K
  • 1 Amy Fallon
C
  • 64 Shelby Horak
Multiple Positions
  • 16 Kara Prentice (QB/LS)
  • 20 Chelsea Zahn (LB/DL)
  • 18 Santana Ramsey (WR/DB)
  • 6 Remy Olinzock (RB/FS)
  • 41 Kim Beaver (FS/DB)
  • 64 Shelby Horak (OL/C)
  • 75 Kristen Holzer (OL/DL)
  • 76 Samantha Simeone (OL/DL)
  • 89 Lorraine Stanek (TE/OL)

2009[edit]

Season Schedule[edit]

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 18 Detroit Demolition Home Won 29-6
April 25 Baltimore Nighthawks Home Won 49-0
May 2 D.C. Divas Away Lost 7-27
May 16 New York Nemesis Home Won 41-0
May 23 Detroit Demolition Away Won 34-12
May 30 Connecticut Crushers Home Won 76-0
June 6 Philadelphia Firebirds Away Won 53-0
June 13 New York Sharks Away Won 34-33
June 27 D.C. Divas (Eastern Conference Semifinal) Away Lost 17-27

2010[edit]

Season Schedule[edit]

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 3 Erie Illusion Away Won 32-0
April 17 Philadelphia Firebirds Home Won 49-0
April 24 Boston Militia Away Lost 0-27
May 1 Erie Illusion Home Won 40-2
May 8 New York Sharks Away Lost 8-12
May 15 Baltimore Nighthawks Home Won 34-6
May 22 Chicago Force Away Lost 0-7
May 29 New York Sharks Home Lost 10-27

2011[edit]

Standings[edit]

2011 Mid Atlantic Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y-Pittsburgh Passion 8 0 0 1.000 270 35 8-0 --- W8
Cleveland Fusion 5 3 0 0.625 267 90 5-3 3.0 L1
Columbus Comets 5 3 0 0.625 191 60 5-3 3.0 W2
Pittsburgh Force 2 6 0 0.000 8 364 2-6 6.0 L1
Erie Illusion 0 8 0 0.250 68 255 0-8 8.0 L8

Season Schedule[edit]

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 2 Pittsburgh Force Away Won 30-0
April 9 Erie Illusion Away Won 56-14
April 16 Cleveland Fusion Away Won 26-8
April 30 Columbus Comets Home Won 17-0
May 14 Pittsburgh Force Home Won 45-0
May 21 Columbus Comets Away Won 7-6
June 11 Cleveland Fusion Home Won 42-0
June 18 Erie Illusion Home Won 47-7
June 25 Chicago Force (National Conference Quarterfinal) Away Lost 31-41

2012[edit]

Standings[edit]

2012 Division 3
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
Pittsburgh Passion 7 1 0 0.875 407 90 3-1 --- W3
D.C. Divas 5 3 0 0.625 289 157 4-1 1 L1
Columbus Comets 2 6 0 0.250 78 139 0-2 4 W1

Season Schedule[edit]

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 14 D.C. Divas Away Won 35-34
April 28 Columbus Comets Away Won 37-14
May 5 Cleveland Fusion Home Won 49-0
May 12 Toledo Reign Home Won 71-14
May 19 Pittsburgh Force Away Won 66-0
June 2 D.C. Divas Home Loss 43-28
June 9 Columbus Comets Home Win 22-0
June 16 Philadelphia Firebirds Away Win 50-0
June 23 Detroit Dark Angels (1st round) Home Win 34-0
Date Opponent Location Score Result
April 2 Toledo Reign Toledo, OH 28-0 WIN
April 9 Columbus Comets Columbus, OH 48-3 WIN
April 23 Cleveland Fusion Slippery Rock, PA 43-0 WIN
April 30 Detroit Dark Angels Detroit, MI 55-6 WIN
May 7 Keystone Assault California, PA 56-6 WIN
May 14 Boston Renegades Pittsburgh, PA 32-51 LOSS
May 21 Detroit Dark Angels Pittsburgh, PA 63-8 Win
June 4 Chicago Force Chicago, IL 33-48 LOSS
June 11 Atlanta Phoenix Imperial, PA 35-24 WIN
June 25 D.C. Divas Landover, MD 29-41 LOSS

Passion Defeat Atlanta 35-24 In 1st Round Of Playoffs

10 Pittsburgh Passion Players Named To WFA All American Teams[citation needed]

External links[edit]