Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Soul
PHILADELPHIA (May 2, 2015) – On the back of Shaun Kauleinamoku’s four touchdowns and another strong defensive showing, the Philadelphia Soul (6-0) extended their winning streak to six games by defeating the Portland Thunder, 52-35, in front of 7,011 fans at the Rothman Field at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday night to remain on top of the East Division.
“Each game we work with what the other team gives us,” Soul head coach Clint Dolezel said. “SK had a lot of great opportunities tonight and he executed well on the field. It’s great to remain undefeated, but there are a lot of things to take away from tonight and work on.”
Marco Thomas led the Soul receivers with eight catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. Xavier Boyce had three receptions for 33 yards, while Adam Smith chipped in with two receptions for 25 yards and one touchdown. Ryan McDaniel also added two catches for 13 yards.
Lewis Small AFL Playmaker of the Game, Shaun Kauleinamoku added seven catches for 122 yards and four touchdowns.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game, Dan Raudabaugh finished the night by completing 22-of-38 passes for 274 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.
Portland’s Kyle Rowley completed 17-of-38 passes for 169 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Perez Ashford led the Thunder (2-4) receivers with seven receptions for 42 yards, while Jared Perry added five catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
LaRico Stevenson led the Soul defense with 5.5 total tackles, while Riddell Defensive Player of the Game James Romain added 5.0 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. Bryan Robinson, Curtis Young, Padric Scott, Joe Goosby and Justin Lawrence added pressure all night and combined for 5.0 total tackles.
After winning the toss, the Soul deferred and kicked off to the Thunder to start the game. After being unable to complete a first down, the Thunder turned over the ball. The Soul capitalized when Smith got the Soul on the board with an 8-yard score at the 7:36 mark in the first and gave Philadelphia a 7-0 lead. Rowley found Perez for a 14-yard pass, making a 7-7 tie at the 3:51 mark. The Soul came back with a 37-yard touchdown from Kauleinamoku, giving the Soul a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
For the second time the Thunder were unable to complete, giving the Soul the ball for the start of the second quarter. Raudabaugh connected with Thomas for a 27-yard score, giving the Soul a 21-7 lead with 7:49 left in the half. Portland returned with a pass from Rowley to Perry for a three yard touchdown, making the score 21-14 with 2:59 left. Kauleinamoku scored for the second time from 29 yards, widening the Soul lead 28-14 with 0:55 left. Romain intercepted a pass from Rowley, giving the Soul the ball at the end of the first half.
Kauleinamoku made his third touchdown of the game with a 27-yard pass, expanding the Soul lead 35-14 with 12:39 left. The Thunder, trying to make a comeback, completed an 11-yard pass to Martinez, ending the third quarter with a Soul lead 35-21.
Starting off the fourth quarter, Frevert kicked a field goal from the 32-yard line, giving the Soul a 38-21 lead over the Thunder. Rowley completed a 14-yard pass to Perry, and with 10:04 left in the game the Soul led 38-28 over the Thunder. The Soul bounced back with a 2-yard touchdown to Taggart, to push the lead 45-28 with 7:43 remaining. Rowley completed a 54-yard pass to Brooks and with 6:41 left the Soul led 45-35. Kauleinamoku made his fourth touchdown of the game, solidifying the Soul lead and ending the game with a score of 52-28.
Next week, the Soul remain home to face the Orlando Predators (3-2) for the second time this season on Friday, May 8 at the Wells Fargo Center. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh
Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia’s James Romain
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Philadelphia’s James Romain’s interception in the second quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku touchdown catch against the wall in the third quarter
