Flag Football: Hornets Shut Out Rival Panas

SHRUB AOK, N.Y.—Host Lakeland scored all of its points in the first half in a 41-0 victory against sister school Walter Panas on April 26, led by Nichole Ljuljic (12 rushing yards, 1-point conversion, 16-18, 220 passing yards, 6 TDs).

“It was very cool to shut out our rival, especially after working so hard this year,” Ljuljic said. “Our defense did such an incredible job each drive.”

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Lakeland’s wide receivers stood out as well.

“My receivers did a great job running their routes and getting open, so they made my job easy,” Ljuljic said. “I just had to focus and get the ball to them.”

Ljuljic’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Caroline Leonard (5 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 42 receiving yards) with 21:22 to go in the first half, along with the extra point, gave the Hornets a 7-0 lead and they didn’t look back.

“Caroline ran a great route and did a great job extending for the touchdown,” Ljuljic said. “It definitely gave us the confidence to play the rest of the game.”

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Lakeland’s Gabby Santini said that Ljuljic threw 6 touchdown passes because she looks down the field and knows how to get the ball to receivers when they're open.

“She practices hard every day and it definitely pays off because she can throw very accurately and 40 yards down the field,” Santini said.

Santini (3 receptions, 75 receiving yards) caught two of Ljuljic’s scoring strikes.

“We were able to connect today because we practice and practice our movements and plays on the field every day,” Santini said. “She saw me down the field, she knows that she can get the ball there in just the right spot for a great pass, and that’s what she did.”

Samantha Del Ponte (46 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 68 receiving yards TD), Riley Waters (2 receptions, 17 receiving yards, TD, 1-point conversion), Haley Santucci (4 receptions, 8 receiving yards, TD, three 1-point conversions), Grace Ruffino (27 rushing yards), Emily Hahn (7 rushing yards), Grace Nugent (10-yard reception), Talia Franklin (35 rushing yards), and Caroline Daly (10 rushing yards) also contributed to the Hornet’s offensive output.

“Shutting out Panas meant a lot to all of us because we worked so hard in practice to get the outcome that we did in the game,” Santini said.

Santucci (9 tackles, including 2 behind the line of scrimmage, or TFLs) and Daly (8 tackles, including 6 TFLs) led Lakeland defensively.

“Flag football is definitely a team sport and the success found by Haley and I is, in part, made possible by the talented girls around us,” Daly said. “Through flag-pulling drills and film sessions, coach (PJ) Nyberg and coach (Joe) Knapp have prepared us for every game and enhanced my understanding, allowing me to predict what the offense will do and get tackles.”

Emily Hahn (4 tackles), Mia Luccia (3 tackles), Santini (2 tackles), Leonard (1 tackle, 1 interception), Del Ponte (1 tackle), Ruffino (1 tackle), Franklin (1 tackle), and Nugent (interception) also produced for Lakeland on defense.

“A major reason for our shutout against Panas was our defensive efforts,” Daly said. “The girls have really come together over the past few games which translated into our performance against Panas. We all know our defensive responsibilities and have confidence and trust in each other to make the necessary plays.”

Lakeland (10-1) won at Hendrick Hudson 26-0 on April 25, led offensively by Del Ponte (107 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 81 receiving yards, TD), Santini (10 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 89 receiving yards, TD, two 1-point conversions), Ljuljic (10 rushing yards, 11-20, 240 passing yards, 4 TDs), Emma Dedushaj (5-yard TD reception), Leonard (60-yard TD reception), Grace Hahn (5-yard reception), Mia Rodrigues (15 rushing yards), and Ruffino (8 rushing yards).

Santucci (6 tackles, 1 behind line of scrimmage), Emily Hahn (4 tackles), Nugent (3 tackles), Santini (3 tackles), Dedushaj (3 tackles), Lucia (3 tackles, 2 behind line of scrimmage), Daly (2 tackles behind line of scrimmage), Leonard (1 tackle), Del Ponte (1 tackle), Rodrigues (1 tackle), and Mackenzie Latorre (1 tackle) helped Lakeland secure the shutout.

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