The ponytails peeking from underneath the players' football helmets
and bouncing off their shoulder pads may have indicated that the
game was not the Super Bowl.

The lack of media attention, or perhaps the estimated 620 fans in
attendance at North Allegheny for the National Women's Football
Association championship Saturday night, may have been an indication
as well.

But to the D.C. Divas, who defeated the Oklahoma City Lightning, 28-
7, in the NWFA championship, the Super Bowl of women's football
carries just as much relevance.

"This is amazing; I can't imagine a better group of people," said
Divas running back Rachelle Pecovsky, who earned the game
ball. "It's the end of a mission. We were on a mission all year.
It's nice to have a goal and be able to accomplish it."

Pittsburgh was chosen to host the event because the Pittsburgh
Passion drew the most fans among the 36-team league during the 2005
season. The Passion averaged crowds between 3,500 and 4,500 per home
game this year and fell just short of the playoffs in the team's
fourth season.

The Divas (9-0) made their first appearance in the championship
game, while the Lightning (8-1) made their second trip after
suffering a 52-0 loss to Detroit in its debut. Heading into the
season finale, the Divas looked to be the early favorite after
outscoring their opponents, 450-13.

Pecovsky proved to be the difference in the game when she finished
as the leading rusher with 186 yards and three touchdowns off 23
carries. Pecovsky made a statement just 25 seconds into the game
when she found a hole and ran 55 yards to the end zone for the
Divas' first touchdown.

"We felt pretty good coming into the game," Divas quarterback
Allyson Hamlin said. "We knew if we didn't have any turnovers and
just put together our offense, we'd play well."

To most of the women, the sport is considered their second job,
though they do not receive a salary. The NWFA title is enough of a
reward, though, for players who dedicate their time and hard work
all the while becoming part of a football family.

"You know, you put aside family, friends and your job," Hamlin
said. "It really is the ultimate sacrifice, but it's worth it."

The Divas and the Lightning battled for 60 minutes, not showing many
signs that their game is different than that of the men. There were
hard-hitting, stiff-arming, trash-talking, crowd-pleasing and chest-
bumping players who take their game seriously.

"Of all of the sports I played, this is the greatest game," Hamlin
said. "You need 11 people to come together and click in this game,
and we did."