Helping hand

BC Angels’ assistance brings Pacific Cup championship to sensational Seattle Mist

In the aftermath of the cancellation of the 2013 Legends Football League Canada season, a trio of remarkable women from the BC Angels franchise managed to make their mark. Mary-Anne Hanson, Deanna Schaper-Kotter and Stevi Schnoor suited up for the Seattle Mist during the 2013 Pacific Cup, the LFL’s annual holiday showcase.

Originally, the BC Angels were scheduled to participate against the Seattle Mist in the December 6 affair. A league decision was made to feature the Los Angeles Temptation in the contest rather than the Angels. Despite the setback, Hanson, Schaper-Kotter and Schnoor opted to suit up for the Mist.

With some Mist players having recovered from injuries sustained in the 2013 LFL regular season, these three remarkable women from the BC Angels were welcomed into the fold. Making the commute from the Vancouver-area to Seattle over the course of several weeks displayed remarkable character and commitment on the part of the Angels competitors.

Having competed in the inaugural Pacific Cup last December, Hanson and Schnoor both made LFL history by becoming the first competitors to play for two different teams in Cup lore. This was complemented by the fact that they were also the first Canadian-born players (along with Schaper-Kotter) to compete for a US-based team in LFL play.

As the signal-caller for the Mist, it was a unique experience for Hanson. Last year, she was lining up behind centre for the Angels. The experience of calling rivals last year new teammates this year is one that Hanson approached with respect and admiration,

”I have nothing but respect all the women that play in the LFL. On the field though, it is time to go to work. Regardless of friendship, it is a battle and the goal is to win. The Mist ladies have been super welcoming to us Canadian gals, much like my BC Angels team, the Mist are my sisters. One team, one heart.”

As the rookie of the trio, Deanna Schaper-Kotter had qualified for the 2013 BC Angels roster. A provincially-ranked lacrosse player, she also competed in volleyball at the C anadian Interuniversity Sport level. With the cancellation of the season, the LFL debut of this prodigious talent would come on one of the LFL’s biggest stages. The preparation and anticipation culminated in a memorable debut.

“The amount of anticipation I had to play in this game is indescribable. With the cancellation of LFL Canada, I was itching to get out on that field! Getting the opportunity to play with the Seattle Mist in the Pacific Cup is an experience I will never forget. Since I had been training with Mary-Anne and Stevi with the BC Angels since June, it meant so much to me to be able to share this experience with them playing for the Seattle Mist.”

During the BC Angels training camp over the course of summer 2013, there was instant chemistry on the field between Schaper-Kotter and Schnoor. They would become known affectionately as the Smash Sisters. Their performance at the Pacific Cup promises to provide Angels fans with more remarkable performances. According to Schnoor, the opportunity for this dynamic duo to be able and play together was well worth the wait.

“It was amazing! It had been 6 months in the making (since the start of the BC Angels training) so the anticipation, nerves, and excitement were all there. We are both pretty physical on the field so we had our ideas of what we wanted to accomplish.”

While Schaper-Kotter was assigned the task of replacing sensational Stephanie Manou as the Angels starting running back, it was evident that she had unique athletic abilities. Although Schnoor has certainly grown into a bigger leadership role with the Angels, she commented on the remarkable attributes that this future superstar brought to the field,

“It was pretty obvious when she first came out to the Angels that because of Deanna’s physical presence and then her athleticism on top of it, that she was going to be a big part of the team. Yet, what we both did not know is how well we would bond and get along. I swear we could be the same person sometimes, but her individual presence is definitely felt and a motivator to everyone.

My smash sister has a HUGE heart and is just an amazing person to be around, but is also ready to kick butt with me on the field whenever duty calls and I couldn’t ask for more.”

One of the greatest players to have donned the Seattle Mist uniform, Jessica Hopkins also competed for the BC Angels during their inaugural 2012 season. She was joined by fellow Mist teammate Christine Moore, who also contributed veteran leadership in 2012 (as well as two Pacific Cup wins). While she led the Angels in tackles, she was essential in providing guidance and mentoring for Canadian-bred stars such as Schnoor and Katie Marshall.

Her tutelage would pay remarkable dividends as Schnoor was recognized as LFL Canada’s Playoff Most Valuable Player during a championship run in 2012. To see Schnoor be bestowed with Pacific Cup MVP honors in 2013 was a great point of pride.

“I was extremely proud of Stevi for the performance she had in the Pacific Cup and not at all surprised by how well she did. Stevi is one of those players that is going to have a strong impact in the game just by being on the field; she’s multi-dimensional so it was easy to fit her into our offensive and defensive schemes.”

Having made history as the first Canadian-born player to be named the Most Valuable Player in the Pacific Cup, Schnoor captured the hearts and minds of Seattle Mist fans with her captivating performance. Her three touchdowns made the difference as the Seattle Mist prevailed over the Los Angeles Temptation by a 27-25 tally.

Dubbed by the Mist faithful as Stevi Wonder for her three touchdown performance, the opportunity to have made league history during her superliatve performance at the Pacific Cup is a treasured one.

“Being named the first Canadian player to be the MVP at the Pacific Cup is an incredible honor. I had been dying to get back on the field since the cancellation of the LFL Canada league in September, and as much as I was excited for the Pacific Cup game, there was also apprehension as it had been almost a full year since the last time I had played in an LFL game; so with this honor and the W at the end of it all I could not be happier.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”