The Boston Militia were a women's full-contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance of which they were two-time champions (2011, 2014). Previously, the Militia played in the Independent Women's Football League from 2008 until 2010, winning the IWFL championship in 2010. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Militia played its home games at Dilboy Stadium in nearby Somerville.

Boston Militia
Founded2007
Disbanded2015
LeagueIWFL (2008-2010)
WFA (2011-2015)
Team historyBoston Militia (2008-2015)
Based inSomerville, Massachusetts
StadiumDilboy Stadium, Somerville High School
ColorsRed, Black, white
PresidentErnie Boch, Jr.
Head coachDerrick Beasley
Championships3
2010 (IWFL)
2011, 2014 (WFA)
Division titles6
2009, 2010 (IWFL)
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (WFA)

On January 5, 2015, the team announced they were discontinuing operations due to a lack of teams to play against in the region.[1] Following a transfer of ownership, the team has been reorganized as the Boston Renegades.[2][3]

Season-by-season

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Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
Boston Militia (IWFL)
2008 6 2 0 T-2nd Tier 1 Eastern North Atlantic --
2009 8 0 0 1st Tier 1 Eastern North Atlantic Won Eastern Conference Semifinal (Dallas)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (D.C.)
2010 8 0 0 1st Tier 1 Eastern Northeast Won Eastern Conference Semifinal (New York)
Won Eastern Conference Championship (D.C.)
Won IWFL World Championship (Sacramento)
Boston Militia (WFA)
2011 7 1 0 1st National North Won National Conference Quarterfinal (D.C.)
Won National Conference Semifinal (Chicago)
Won National Conference Championship (Indy)
Won WFA National Championship (San Diego)
2012 8 0 0 1st National Division 2 Won National Conference Quarterfinal (New York)
Won National Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
Lost National Conference Championship (Chicago)
2013 8 0 0 1st National Division 1 Won National Conference Quarterfinal (Pittsburgh)
Won National Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
Lost National Conference Championship (Chicago)
2014 7 0 0 1st National Northeast Won National Conference Quarterfinal (Cleveland)
Won National Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
Won National Conference Championship (Chicago)
Won WFA National Championship (San Diego)
Totals 68 6 0 (including playoffs)

2008

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Recap

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The Boston Militia opened their inaugural season on April 12, 2008, with a home win against the D.C. Divas 27–22. The Militia finished with a 6–2 regular-season record in the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL).

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 12 D.C. Divas Home Won 27–22
April 26 Pittsburgh Passion Away Lost 8-34
May 3 Central PA Vipers Away Won 48–0
May 10 New York Sharks Home Lost 24–25
May 17 New York Sharks Away Won 28–14
May 31 Manchester Freedom Home Won 38–7
June 7 Montreal Blitz Home Won 30–20
June 14 Baltimore Nighthawks Away Won 28–6

Standings

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2008 IWFL North Atlantic Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Pittsburgh Passion 8 0 0 1.000 290 81 6-0 --- W8
Boston Militia 6 2 0 0.750 231 129 4-2 2 W4
New York Sharks 6 2 0 0.750 226 122 6-2 2 W2
D.C. Divas 4 4 0 0.500 230 108 4-4 4 L1
Baltimore Nighthawks 2 6 0 0.250 156 212 1-6 6 L1
Central PA Vipers 0 8 0 0.000 0 346 0-7 8 L8

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

[4]

The Boston Militia finished the season with the league's fifth highest Massey Rating of 1.38.[5]

2009

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Recap

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In their second season, the Militia went undefeated in the regular season with an 8–0 record. In the divisional playoffs round, Boston defeated the defending IWFL champion Dallas Diamonds 34–14 at Dilboy Stadium. Then the Militia also hosted the Conference Championship, but lost to the D.C. Divas 21–27, ending Boston's season just one victory short of the league title game.

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 18 Manchester Freedom Home Won 42–0
April 25 New York Sharks Away Won 21–7
May 2 Connecticut Crushers Home Won 47–0
May 9 Montreal Blitz Away Won 39–0
May 16 Philadelphia Firebirds Home Won 60–0
May 30 Baltimore Nighthawks Away Won 68–0
June 6 New York Nemesis Home Won 49–12
June 13 New England Intensity Away Won 60–0
June 27 Dallas Diamonds (Eastern Conference Semifinal) Home Won 34–14
July 11 D.C. Divas (Eastern Conference Championship) Home Lost 21–27

Standings

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2009 IWFL North Atlantic Division
W L T PCT MR OR DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 8 0 0 1.000 2.014 3.914 4-0 --- W8
New York Sharks 4 4 0 0.500 1.269 2.598 3-1 4 W1
New York Nemesis 5 3 0 0.625 0.848 2.148 2-2 3 W1
Philadelphia Firebirds 1 7 0 0.125 0.058 1.083 1-3 7 L6
Connecticut Crushers 1 7 0 0.125 -0.619 -0.169 0-4 7 W1

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

The Boston Militia finished with the league's third highest Massey Rating of 1.67.[6]

2010

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Recap

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In their third season, the Boston Militia posted an 8–0 record in the regular season (with one victory coming by forfeit). They then hosted a divisional playoff game versus the New York Sharks, prevailing 26–6. After shutting out the D.C. Divas 28–0 at Dilboy Stadium in the Eastern Conference championship game, the Militia defeated the Sacramento Sirens 39–7 on July 24, 2010, in Round Rock, Texas to win the IWFL World Championship. It is the franchise's first national championship title.

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 3 New York Nemesis Away Won 56–6
April 10 Connecticut Crushers Home Won 59–10
April 24 Pittsburgh Passion Home Won 27–0
May 1 D.C. Divas Away Won 42–35
May 8 New York Nemesis Away Won 40–0
May 15 New York Sharks Home Won 31–0
May 22 Philadelphia Firebirds Away Won by forfeit
June 5 D.C. Divas Home Won 52–36
June 12 New York Sharks (Northeast Division Championship) Home Won 26–6
July 10 D.C. Divas (Eastern Conference Championship) Home Won 28–0
July 24 Sacramento Sirens (IWFL World Championship) Neutral (Round Rock, TX) Won 39–7

Standings

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2010 IWFL Northeast Division
W L T PCT MR OR DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 8 0 0 1.000 1.816 2.816 5-0 --- W8
z - New York Sharks 6 2 0 0.778 1.271 2.049 3-1 2 W2
Pittsburgh Passion 4 4 0 0.500 0.704 1.204 1-3 4 L2
New York Nemesis 3 5 0 0.375 0.086 0.461 1-2 5 W1
Philadelphia Firebirds 1 7 0 0.125 -0.736 -0.611 0-4 7 L2

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

The Boston Militia finished the season with a Massey Rating of 2.14.[7]

2011

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Recap

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In their fourth season, the Militia joined the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) and finished the regular season at 7–1 to earn a playoff berth. Boston defeated the D.C. Divas 37–24 on the road in a conference quarterfinal game. The Militia then traveled to Chicago to defeat the Chicago Force 50–23 in a conference semifinal game. By virtue of an upset in the other conference semifinal game, Boston was able to host the WFA National Conference Championship against the Indy Crash. Boston prevailed 46–18 to earn its second consecutive trip to a league title game. On July 30, 2011, in Bedford, Texas, the Boston Militia toppled the previously undefeated San Diego Surge 34–19 to win the WFA National Championship. Halfback Whitney Zelee was named the game's Most Valuable Player.[8] It is the franchise's second national championship title.

Head Coach Derrick Beasley received the WFA Coach of the Year Award, and quarterback Allison Cahill received the WFA National Conference Offensive Player of the Year Award.[9]

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 2 D.C. Divas Away Lost 20–35
April 16 New York Sharks Home Won 28–7
April 30 Northeastern Nitro Home Won 72–0
May 7 New England Nightmare Away Won 62–0
May 14 Northeastern Nitro Away Won 42–0
May 21 New York Sharks Away Won 43–6
June 4 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Home Won 70–8
June 11 D.C. Divas Home Won 27–16
June 25 D.C. Divas (National Conference Quarterfinal) Away Won 37–24
July 9 Chicago Force (National Conference Semifinal) Away Won 50–23
July 16 Indy Crash (National Conference Championship) Home Won 46–18
July 30 San Diego Surge (WFA National Championship) Neutral (Bedford, TX) Won 34–19

Standings

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2011 WFA North Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 7 1 0 0.875 364 72 5-0 --- W7
z - New York Sharks 5 3 0 0.625 212 177 3-2 2.0 L1
Northeastern Nitro 4 4 0 0.500 46 243 2-3 3.0 L1
New England Nightmare 0 8 0 0.000 28 264 0-5 7.0 L8

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

The Boston Militia finished the season with the league's highest Massey Rating of 2.27.[10]

2012

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Recap

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In their fifth season, the Boston Militia posted an 8–0 record in the regular season. After defeating the New York Sharks 47–6 at home in a conference quarterfinal game, Boston faced the D.C. Divas in the conference semifinals, prevailing at Dilboy Stadium 55–34. The Militia then traveled to Lazier Field to meet the Chicago Force in the WFA National Conference championship. Emerging from halftime facing a 21-point deficit, a remarkable comeback by the Militia fell short by a missed extra point attempt. The final score was 34–35, ending Boston's season just one victory short of the league title game.

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 14 New York Sharks Home Won 64–6
April 21 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Away Won 59–0
April 28 Keystone Assault Away Won 31–0
May 12 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Home Won 62–0
May 19 D.C. Divas Home Won 44–7
June 2 Maine Lynx Home Won 65–0
June 9 D.C. Divas Away Won 32–25
June 16 New York Sharks Away Won 55–12
June 30 New York Sharks (National Conference Quarterfinal) Home Won 47–6
July 7 D.C. Divas (National Conference Semifinal) Home Won 55–34
July 21 Chicago Force (National Conference Final) Away Lost 34–35

Standings

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2012 WFA Division 2
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 8 0 0 1.000 458 139 4-0 --- W8
z - New York Sharks 4 4 0 0.500 104 227 2-2 4 W2
Philadelphia Liberty Belles 2 6 0 0.250 30 234 0-3 6 L3

y - clinched division title
z - clinched division title

The Boston Militia finished the season with the league's second highest Massey Rating of 2.31.[11]

2013

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Recap

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In their sixth season, the Boston Militia posted an 8–0 record in a regular season highlighted by two record-setting performances. The Boston Militia and the D.C. Divas shattered the women's football record for most combined points in a single game, with an 81–54 final score on May 18, 2013.[12] And Militia running back Whitney Zelee eclipsed the 2,000-yard benchmark and set new league records of 2,138 rushing yards over the eight-game regular season and 2,832 rushing yards over the entire championship season.[13] Zelee's achievements earned her the National Conference MVP Award. After defeating the Pittsburgh Passion 63–28 at home in the National Conference quarterfinals, Boston faced the D.C. Divas in the conference semifinals, prevailing at Dilboy Stadium 58–34. The Militia then traveled to Lazier Field to meet the Chicago Force in the WFA National Conference championship. The Militia fell to the favored Force team 27–46, ending Boston's season just one victory short of the league title game for the second year in a row.

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 13 New York Sharks Home Won 70–0
April 20 Montreal Blitz Home Won 56–22
April 27 D.C. Divas Away Won 56–35
May 4 New York Sharks Away Won 47–0
May 11 Pittsburgh Passion Away Won 42–28
May 18 D.C. Divas Home Won 81–54
June 1 Central Maryland Seahawks Home Won 56–0
June 8 Montreal Blitz Away Won 50–0
June 22 Pittsburgh Passion (National Conference Quarterfinal) Home Won 63–28
July 13 D.C. Divas (National Conference Semifinal) Home Won 58–34
July 20 Chicago Force (National Conference Final) Away Lost 27–46

Standings

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WFA 2013 Division 1
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 8 0 0 1.000 412 50 4-0 --- W8
z - New York Sharks 4 4 0 0.500 172 223 2-2 4 L1
Central Maryland Seahawks 2 6 0 0.250 23 247 0-4 6 L1

y - clinched division title
z - clinched division title

The Boston Militia finished the season with the league's second highest Massey Rating of 2.21.[14]

2014

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Recap

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In their seventh season, the Boston Militia posted a 7–0 record in a regular season highlighted by two narrow victories over the D.C. Divas and first-ever regular-season contests against the Chicago Force and the Cleveland Fusion. Boston's regular-season victory over Chicago at a neutral location (Munhall, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Pittsburgh Force) ultimately gave the Militia home field advantage in the playoffs. After defeating the Cleveland Fusion 47–6 in the National Conference quarterfinals at Dilboy Stadium, Boston outpaced the D.C. Divas at home in the highest scoring postseason game in women's tackle football history 72–56.[15] The Militia next hosted the WFA National Conference Championship where they handed the Chicago Force their biggest losing margin in their 11-year history 69–14.[16] On August 2, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois, the Boston Militia trounced the San Diego Surge 69–34 to win their second WFA National Championship. Halfback Whitney Zelee was named the game's Most Valuable Player.[17] With the victory, the Boston Militia are the only team to date who have won multiple WFA championships.[18] It is the franchise's third national championship title overall (2010, 2011, 2014).

Head Coach Derrick Beasley received the WFA Coach of the Year Award, quarterback Allison Cahill received the WFA National Conference Most Valuable Player Award and linebacker Noriko Kokura received the WFA National Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award.[19]

Schedule

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 5 D.C. Divas Home Won 36–32
April 19 Cleveland Fusion Home Won 47–7
April 26 Central Maryland Seahawks Away Won by forfeit
May 3 Cleveland Fusion Away Won 47–7
May 10 Baltimore Burn Away Won by forfeit
May 17 Chicago Force Neutral (Munhall, PA) Won 35–18
June 7 D.C. Divas Away Won 29–28
June 21 Cleveland Fusion (National Conference Quarterfinal) Home Won 47–6
July 5 D.C. Divas (National Conference Semifinal) Home Won 72–56
July 13 Chicago Force (National Conference Final) Home Won 63–14
August 2 San Diego Surge (WFA National Championship) Neutral (Chicago, IL) Won 69–34

Standings

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2014 WFA Northeast Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia 7 0 0 1.000 199 92 2-0 --- W7
z - Cleveland Fusion 6 2 0 0.750 224 121 0-2 2 W4
Pittsburgh Force 3 2 0 0.600 64 80 0-0 5 L1

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

The Boston Militia finished the season with the league's highest Massey Rating of 2.56.[14]

Roster

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Boston Militia Championship Roster (2014)
Quarterbacks
  •  7 Allison Cahill

Running backs

  •  8 Asia Landrum
  • 14 Stacey Tiamfook
  • 33 Whitney Zelee
  • 39 Dorothy Donaldson

Wide receivers

  •  2 Lucia Robinson-Griggs
  • 10 Adrienne Smith
  • 15 Kathryn Tylander
  • 28 Abby Pelletier (TE)
  • 85 Emily Weinberg (TE)

Offensive line

  • 50 Amanda Alpert
  • 54 Torrance Brown
  • 64 Shana Segers
  • 65 Kehinda Oshodi
  • 66 Stephanie Jeffers
  • 76 Sherese Woodfine
  • 99 Beth Kaleta
Defensive line
  • 42 Riss Nardelli
  • 62 Michelle Vachon-Breden
  • 68 Mamenasha Tesfaye
  • 71 Nakita Bowman
  • 75 Coco Edwards
  • 77 Tinisha Ponzo
  • 78 Gladys Ponzo
  • 80 Tomi Gibson

Linebackers

  • 18 Noriko Kokura
  • 25 Jennifer Oliveri
  • 30 Erin Diette
  • 36 Charlene Casey
  • 54 Jennifer Nguyễn
  • 45 Vicky Eddy
  • 52 Deirdre Hiort
  • 55 Tiana Lui
  • 67 Kristen Sarson
  • 82 Lisa Vincent-Horta
Defensive backs
  •  3 Katie McFadden
  • 13 Mocha Torres
  • 19 Elizabeth Calkins
  • 22 Emily Holland
  • 24 Briannah Gallo
  • 26 Heather Crocker
  • 53 Shauntay Stewart
  • 83 Deanna Walsh
  • 89 Joy Burge

Special teams

  •  8 Asia Landrum (KR/PR)
  • 10 Adrienne Smith (PR/KR)
  • 14 Stacey Tiamfook (PR)
  • 18 Noriko Kokura (LS)
  • 22 Emily Holland (PK)
  • 45 Vicky Eddy (H)
  • 50 Amanda Alpert (LS)
  • 85 Emily Weinberg (K/P)
  • rookies in italics
  • 44 Active, 3 Inactive, 0 Practice Squad
  • Roster updated November 16, 2014
  • Source:[20]

References

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The data presented above has been sourced from official league or team websites unless otherwise noted.

  1. ^ "Women's Football News: Boston Militia Announcement". The Boston Militia. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015.
  2. ^ Springer, Shira. "For Renegades, a name change and a mission to keep dynasty alive". BostonGlobe.com. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  3. ^ Goresh, Sam. "From Militia to Renegades: Women's football returns to Somerville". somerville.wickedlocal.com. Gatehouse Media, Inc. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Boo's Unofficial Guide to Women's Tackle Football". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  5. ^ "2008 IWFL". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. ^ "2009 IWFL". Massey Ratings. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  7. ^ "2010 IWFL". Massey Ratings. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Women's Football Alliance 2011 National Champions Boston Militia Win: 34-19". The Boston Militia. Bedford, Texas. 30 July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012.
  9. ^ Wyatt, James (30 July 2011). "Boston Militia defeat San Diego to win the WFA National Title". WomensSportsNet.com. Bedford, Texas. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013.
  10. ^ "2011 WFA". Massey Ratings. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  11. ^ "2012 WFA". Massey Ratings. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  12. ^ Rozendaal, Neal. "Recap vs. Boston Militia – May 18, 2013". Official Site of the D.C. Divas. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Zelee, Whitney". Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  14. ^ a b "2013 WFA". Massey Ratings. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  15. ^ Rozendaal, Neal. "Recap vs. Boston Militia – July 5, 2014". Official Site of the D.C. Divas. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  16. ^ @backseatcoach (19 July 2014). "#Boston Militia hands #Chicago Force worse loss in 11-year history. Previously June 10, 2006 0-47 vs #Detroit Demolition" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 April 2016 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ WFA [@WFAfootball] (6 August 2014). "Congratulations to Whitney Zelee of the @BostonMilitia for earning MVP of the 2014 WFA National Championship... http://fb.me/1pKf5zCue" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 April 2016 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Mark Staffieri (10 September 2014). "Boston Militia makes history as first team to capture two WFA National Titles". Fourth and Feminine. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  19. ^ "The 2014 WFA League Awards go to". Women's Football Alliance Facebook page. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  20. ^ https://www.hostedsports.com/hsi_standings.asp?from=league_data&league=wfa&season=2014. Retrieved 11 April 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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