The first game of the day was between Niskayuna and Schenectady against Suburban Council.
It didn't take long for Niskayuna to take control, with the Silver Warriors winning 34-6 on the opening day.
“I think this is a really great thing for our young women,” said Schenectady athletic director Edgar Glascott, who also served on the chain crew for Wednesday's game. “The Suburban Council has done a great job forming this flag football league with 11 teams and Albany leadership.
“It's great just to see both teams excited to play here, even with the score as it is. They both worked hard to get into the first game of the season. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds.”
Harmony Williams scored the first touchdown of the game in the history of the Niskayuna women's flag football program with a long run on the first drive.
Ciara Stodolka then scored Niskayuna's second straight touchdown to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.
Stodolka scored his third straight touchdown to start the second half, and Abigail Hemlecke added another score for Niskayuna.
Jayla Forrest replaced Niskayuna with a 2-point shot.
“So much,” Forrest said of how much he was looking forward to being on the field for the first time. “This is a really fun game. I was really looking forward to it.”
“I've been involved in soccer my whole life,” added Niskayuna's Tiana Gonzalez about having the opportunity to play flag football. “My brothers have been playing since we were little, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to play myself.”
“I'm glad they got to play soccer and have a good time,” Niskayuna coach John Fury said. “That's what I really like about it. I hope they all become lifelong fans of this game.”
Niskayuna was aiming for a shutout in the opening game, but Schenectady had other plans. Late in the second half, inches from fourth down, quarterback Leo Airey McCormack ran over a keeper to score the Schenectady program's first touchdown.
Both teams will return to action on Friday. Niskayuna will host Saratoga Springs at 5:15 p.m., and Schenectady will visit Columbia at 6 p.m.
Niskayuna 20 14 — 24
Schenectady 0 6 — 6
N — Williams 20 runs (1 point failure)
N — Stodolka 20 runs (1 miss)
N — Stodolka 10 runs (Forest 2 point run)
N — Stodolka 20 runs (Forest 2 point run)
N — Hemlecke 40 runs (2 points missed)
S — McCormack 1 run (3 points missed)
