Photos: First women’s college flag football game in Illinois

Photos from the first womens college flag football game in Illinois between Benedictine and Rockford on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

Rockford won 32-0.

Rockfords Emma Valenzuela (22) celebrates with Clare Strong (20) and Mercedes Morales (21) after scoring a touchdown against Benedictine in the second quarter of Illinois first womens college flag football game on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockford coach Tim Trevier speaks to his players before Illinois first womens college flag football game against Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Jennah Grice (23) tries to escape Benedictines Marilyn Myrick on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Emma Valenzuela (22) runs through Benedictines Saniya Shotwell (3) and Jacqueline Garro (12) for a touchdown in the second quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictine coach Caroline Schwartz and Rockford coach Tim Trevier greet each other before Illinois first womens college flag football game on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Gina Neils (9) celebrates with teammates after making an interception in the second quarter against Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictines Marilyn Myrick (2) tries to get past Rockfords Madison King in the first quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Daniela Torres-Mandujano (7) misses the flag of Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the first quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictine players warm up before Illinois first womens college flag football game against Rockford on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictine coach Caroline Schwartz smiles as she listens to a speech before a flag football game against Rockford on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren speaks before Illinois first womens college flag football game between Rockford and Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictines Madison Stevens (9) stops Rockfords Clare Strong in the second quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Amari Camacho-Anderson cheers for her teammates from the sideline during a flag football game against Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Maureen Shelton (10) tries to get past the Benedictine defense in the first quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictines Marilyn Myrick, right, grabs the flag of Rockfords Jennah Grice in the second quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Clare Strong (20) tries to get past the Benedictine defense in the first quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictine coach Caroline Schwartz speaks to her players before a game against Rockford on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictines Emily Castillo (11) smiles on the bench before a game against Rockford on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Gina Neils (9) and Clare Strong celebrate after Neils made an interception in the second quarter against Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Spectators watch the second quarter of Illinois first womens college flag football game between Rockford and Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Daniela Torres-Mandujano (7) tries to stop Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the fourth quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictine and Rockford players pose for a photo after Illinois first womens college flag football game on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Maureen Shelton, right, gets a hug from her sister Aiden Shelton, 9, after her team defeated Benedictine on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Arrie Jones, left, hugs Benedictines Saniya Shotwell (3) after Illinois first womens college flag football game on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Emily Del Rosario (3) escapes Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the third quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Kayla Ladines (8) pulls the flag of Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the fourth quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Kayla Ladines falls to the turf after pulling the flag of Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the fourth quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockford players celebrate after beating Benedictine in Illinois first womens college flag football game on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Benedictines Saniya Shotwell (3) tries to outrun Rockfords Daniela Torres-Mandujano in the fourth quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Rockfords Madison King (4) tries to stop Benedictines Marilyn Myrick in the fourth quarter on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center in Lake Forest.

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