CARTERET (NJ) – In front of a raucous crowd, the Jersey Justice solidified their playoff chances with a 36-16 victory over the Erie Illusion last night in Independent Women’s Football League action.

The first-year organization rode another strong game by quarterback Maegan Larsen in the victory. Larsen had her hand in all five of the Justice touchdowns, four by air, and one on a spectacular 76-yard scamper.

Leslie Busch opened the scoring in the first quarter outrunning the Illusion defense on her way to a 54-yard touchdown reception.

Things were difficult for the Illusion’s offense as the Justice defense dared them by covering their outside receivers one-on-one.

“I figured they are going to have to beat us to the outside before I change my defense,” Defensive Coach Billy Lockward said after the game.

Illusion quarterback Caroline Schaeffer, connected on a few passes to her wide receivers buts, but not enough that the Justice loosen up in run support. The Justice limited the Illusion to 140 yards for the contest.

After thwarting an Illusion scoring opportunity, the Justice regained possession of the ball at the 24-yard line. Larsen swept right, set up her downfield blocks perfectly, and sprinted up the sideline for the 76-yard score.

On the next Justice possession, Larsen hit Mary Byrne with a pass in the flat. As Byrne headed up field, the ball was stripped from her hands and recovered by Victoria Weibel at the 21-yard line. A big pass to Becky Reed placed the ball at the 5-yard line, two plays later, Tiffany Peterson-Joyner scored around left end.

With just over four minutes remaining in the half, the Justice sent a message to the Illusion. Instead of settling for the one score lead at the half, the Larsen led the Justice 55 yards, connecting with Vanessa Fernandez for the final 28 yards on a well-executed play-action pass. The score extended the lead to 14 points in favor of the Justice at the half.

The Justice defense forced a three-and-out opening the second half, but the Illusion finally caught a break. Leslie Busch misplayed the punt and Brandy Polinick for the Illusion at the 43-yard line.

Seizing the opportunity, the Illusion quickly moved the ball down field, with the big play coming from a pass to Martha Swick. Swick’s 29-yard reception set up a two-yard touchdown run by Polinick.

Larsen quickly rallied the Justice, connecting on two consecutive short passes before hitting Busch for the second time on a long pass play. Busch once again outraced the Illusion secondary for a 53-yard score.

The Justice defense controlled the rest of the contest, halting Illusion drives with an interception and forcing punts, eventually winning the battle of field position. The Justice put the game away late in the fourth quarter, when Leslie Busch caught her third touchdown pass of the game with a diving fingertip catch.

“The game and the season is a compliment to the team,” Coach Gene Basile said, “all season they have done everything we asked them to do and the improvement over the year shows the hard work.”

The Justice finished the season 5-3 and as of today slotted as one of the top eight, Tier II teams in the playoff race. According to the IWFL website the Justice will travel to Medway, Massachusetts to take on the New England Intensity in the Divisional Playoffs. The game date is June 27 with the time TBA.

More information about the Jersey Justice can be found on their website.

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Illusion (3-4)	0	8	8	0	16
Justice (5-3)	8	14	6	8	36