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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - The St. Louis SLAM brought women’s full contact football back to St. Louis for the 2008 season by playing its first home game Saturday night and downing the Memphis Belles 51-0.

The SLAM’s ball-hawking defense, led by Kelly Kozlen with 14 tackles, recorded its first shutout of the season. They allowed the Memphis Belles just one first down on the night while recording 5 more sacks on the young season. Leading the sack attack was Liz Williams with a sack and a half. Kozlen, Jaruis Mariama and Myrt Davis recorded a sack a piece, while Tiffany Carter combined with Williams for a half of a sack. Rookie Melissa Hazelwood pulled down the first interception of her career while Robin Morrow added 6 solo tackles.

The SLAM offense found high gear as it rushed and passed for 468 yards total offense on the night. Quarterback Liz Lacy connected with both veteran and rookie receivers to complete 10 of 20 passes for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns. Backup QB Melissa Hazelwood stepped in late in the 4th quarter and threw a 9 yard touchdown on her only pass attempt to Chris Hampton to top off the SLAM air assault. Chris Hampton caught 4 passes and crossed the goal line 3 times for 73 yards, while Gail Graff hauled in 4 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Katie Ode caught her first 3 passes of the year, and rookie Caroline Ogunware, playing her first game of the season, ran under a 20 yard pass for a touchdown for her first career touchdown.

Pat Riggins led the SLAM 260 yard rushing attack with 116 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Veteran Toya “Turtle” Brown scored her first rushing touchdown of the season, and fullback Jacki Ray powered her way over the goal line for her first career SLAM touchdown. Caroline Ogunware also had 3 carries for 71 yards.