Four area athletes propel Pittsburgh Passion to finals
Thanks in part to four local products, the Pittsburgh Passion is headed back to the world championships in women’s professional football for the second consecutive season. Riding a 21-game winning streak and sporting a 10-0 record, the Passion will face the Utah Falconz in the finals set for July 25 in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Passion defeated the Carolina Phoenix to capture the Eastern Conference title. Earlier in the playoffs, the Passion dispatched the New York Sharks.
Rachel Wojdowski leads the list of area contributors. The Bethel Park High School graduate earned all-star status as a wide receiver. She ranked second in the Independent Women’s Football League with 25 receptions for 452 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The daughter of Jack and Sue Wojdowski is in her fifth season with the Passion. The New York University graduate has three siblings, Jessica (De Brignac), Greg and Alex. When she isn’t playing for the Passion, Wojdowski serves as an assistant coach for the Duquesne University women’s basketball team.
A defensive lineman, Melanie Hammond is in her fourth season. She has helped the Passion rank sixth in the league in defense, having allowed 46 points for an average of 6.6 per game. The Keystone Oaks High School graduate works as an emergency medical technician when she is not playing for the Passion. The daughter of Mary and Lee Hammond has a sister, Melissa, and is engaged to be married.
Canon-McMillan High School graduates Brittany Taylor and Chelsea Zahn are both rookies on the club. Taylor is a free safety while Zahn is an outside linebacker.
Taylor attended Ohio Valley University and Ekerd College and earned a master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania. She works for Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC. During her spare time, she is an assistant girls’ basketball and track coach at Chartiers-Houston High School. She also referees basketball games. The daughter of Rick and Lydia Taylor has one brother, Eric.
Zahn is a Duquense University graduate. The daughter of Becky and Joe Zahn has one sister, Nicole, and one pet, Scruffy. She works as a partnership activation specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In defeating Carolina to gain a spot in the finals, the Passion were paced by Lisa Horton. The quarterback completed 11 of 14 aerials for 172 yards and one score. She also rushed for a touchdown. Tara Catone rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns. She also had 70 yards receiving and one score. Angela Baker and Sharon Vasquez combined for 102 yards receiving.