By Meg Kelly

PHILADELPHIA – April 2, 2016 – The Boston Renegades opened their 2016 season with a 40-24 road victory against the Philadelphia Phantomz at Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Allison Cahill had five touchdown passes, one interception, and no sacks. Second-year wide receiver Emily Beinecke caught three touchdown passes. Veteran receiver Adrienne Smith turned in two long scoring plays, a 31-yard reception and a 75-yard kickoff return. Wide receiver Kathryn Tylander also reeled in a 30-yard touchdown pass. Safety Brooke “Tex” Gause made an interception while the Renegades’ defense collected five total sacks.

Boston wasted no time in getting on the board as Cahill connected with Emily Beinecke for two red zone TD passes and finding Adrienne Smith on a 31-yard strike that gave the Renegades a 20-0 lead at the close of the first quarter.

The Renegades’ offense continued firing on all cylinders as Cahill opened the second quarter with her fourth touchdown pass of the night, this time to Kathryn Tylander. Philadelphia halted the 27-0 Boston run with two straight scores, but failed conversion attempts held the score at 27-12 in favor of the Renegades at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, Philadelphia kept their momentum by forcing Boston to go three and out on its opening drive of the second half, and then scoring its third touchdown of the game to pull within nine points 27-18.

But the Cahill-Beinecke connection continued to torment the Phantomz’ defense as they responded with their third score of the game, extending Boston’s lead to 33-18. Philadelphia tallied another touchdown with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter before Adrienne Smith took the ensuing kickoff to the house, blazing past Phantomz defenders to give the Renegades a 40-24 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

The defenses locked in the final quarter as both squads were held scoreless and the Renegades sealed the 40-24 victory in their season opener.

With the victory, defensive back Jennifer Olivieri #25 reached a milestone of 100 victories earned on the gridiron. Originally a member of the 2001 New England Storm, Olivieri was a three-time national champion with the Boston Militia. She joins Vicky Eddy and Amy Saur — who earned their 100th victories with the Boston Militia — as a member of Boston Women’s Football’s “100 Club”.

Boston will stay on the road as it heads to Ohio to take on the Cleveland Fusion on Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

Box Score