In their first contest of the 2022 WFA season, the Minnesota Vixen needed just one offensive play to get on the board. After receiving the opening kickoff, Minnesota rookie quarterback Erin Kelley lofted a beautiful play-action strike to All-American Sam Barber down the left sideline for a 51-yard score. The Vixen would eventually notch a 55-0 victory over the Iowa Phoenix at Edina’s Kuhlman Field. After a three and out by Iowa, the Vixen started off the next drive with a 26-yard run by 2021 WFA Offensive Player of the Year, Grace Cooper. Unfortunately, Cooper was injured on the play and would not return, but the duo of Jesse Haas and and Tasheanna Washington-Ware handled the run game for the rest of the night with a combined 158 yards and all but one of the Vixen’s remaining scores on offense. Running backs coach Matt O’Keefe was very proud of his charges, saying they stepped up brilliantly and proved that no matter who is in the backfield for the Vixen, defenses should be very concerned. Iowa, a scrappy and much improved team that hopes to contend for a WFA Division 3 title this year, made several trips deep into Minnesota territory but miscues kept them scoreless, including a goal line fumble that Minnesota was able to turn into a 7-play, 99-yard touchdown drive. Barber had an excellent night on both sides of the ball, adding two sacks and another touchdown to the Vixen cause. Linebacker Ace Theissen, back in the Vixen den after a year off, celebrated their return with five tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions, one for a 51-yard pick 6. The defense as a whole had a great outing, with rookie Megan Dixon adding another pick 6 from 56 yards out and 27 different players notching at least one tackle. But as the saying goes the devil is in the details, and Minnesota will have a devil of a time if they don’t take care of details this coming Saturday in the WFA Game of the Week against the St. Louis Slam, who knocked the Vixen out of the WFA Division 2 playoffs in 2019. According to offensive coordinator Shaun Mattson, this week is about playing a cleaner game, and eliminating turnovers and penalties. We did a lot of nice things against Iowa, he said, but this week is about taking the next step because when we execute our jobs, we are incredibly difficult to stop. And on the other side of the ball, defensive line coach Bruce Brevitz said his group will be emphasizing ball awareness and being careful not to over penetrate and take themselves out of the play. The Slam, who are back in action after a 30-month hiatus and fresh off a 14-6 victory over the Columbus Chaos, will be looking to continue their quest for a fifth championship, and their first as a WFA Pro team. Although the past matchups with St. Louis certainly mean many Minnesota players have had Saturday’s date circled in red since this year’s schedule was released, Vixen Head Coach Ryan McCauley says his message for the week is that this year’s teams are different animals and this is just another game against a talented, well-coached team. McCauley, also the team's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, says the Slam have a solid scheme that demands opponents bring sound fundamentals and aggressive pursuit. St. Louis also stresses defenses by lining up on the ball and calling a play from the sideline, and is unafraid to throw in gadget or trick plays at any time. It will be a challenge, but one that both players and coaches are ready to face. Tickets to Saturday night’s game are on sale now at mnvixen.com, and the game will be carried by Town Square TV and nationally televised on For the Fans Network. Check our Facebook page for links and details!