Krunch Save Best For Last By JEREMY BANKS Kansan Sportswriter

It didn't start well, but with a late two-point conversion, the Kansas City Krunch women's football team ended the game on a good note as it overcame a 12-point deficit and took a win.

In the first round of the National Women's Football League Playoffs, the Krunch defeated the Nashville Dream Saturday afternoon at Art Lawrence Stadium.

Nashville who came into the game at 7-1, had a reputation of a team who plays tough defense and works offensively through the running game. The Dream showcased the league's leading rusher in Autumn Smith. She displayed her talent early in the first half as the Dream built a lead.

Leading 7-6 in the second quarter, Smith took a sweep to the left side of the field. She ran with the direction of the play and when the hole opened, she cut up field and hit it hard. The cut resulted in a long gain which resulted in her being caught from behind and being brought down at the 1-yard line.

The Dream later scored from the 1-yard line with a quarterback sneak. After a missed extra point, the Dream took a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Kansas City, in the second half, tried to gain momentum, but missed plays and turnovers did their part to put out whatever flame the Krunch tried to ignite. It was then that Smith went right back to work.

Nashville on a drive in the middle of the fourth quarter, went exclusively to Smith and the running game. She accounted for every play in the drive, running plays up the middle, off the tackle and to the outside. The game seemingly was put away when Smith finally broke a long run for a score.

She took a carry up the middle but bounced outside and found herself free, racing for a long run and a score. The lead was now 19-6 with just under 10 minutes left in the game.

Kansas City on the next drive went on to score a touchdown of their own. Then with 3:38 left in the game, the Krunch made a move. Running back Cathie Stansbery took a carry and broke it for a big gain down to the 25-yard line. A couple plays later, quarterback A.J. Thomas found her receiver Dorothy Haughton down the field. Haughton caught the pass and got down to the 15-yard line.

"I was like 'We cannot lose this game,'" said Haughton. "Coach designed (the play). The girl just left me open. I caught it."

On the next play with now just 26 seconds left, Thomas dropped back to pass and found Stansbery, who had sneaked out in the flat. Thomas hit her in the back of the end zone making the score 19-18.

Instead of going for the extra-point, the team decided to go for the win instead.

It tried for the two-point conversion and with just 20 seconds left to play, Thomas found tight end Stephanie Campbell in the end zone open, giving Kansas City its first lead of the game.

Kansas City sealed the victory with a late interception by Andrea O'Neal.

"If you doubt yourself you're going to lose. So we always have to stay positive. We stayed positive and trusted in our (offensive) line and our quarterback and made it happen - with will, heart and pride," said Haughton.

The Krunch will play on the road against Oklahoma City on July 10.

Kansas City Kansan Online 06/29/2004