In a matchup between the nation's top two teams, No. 2 Keiser battled until the final seconds but fell 32-28 to No. 1 Ottawa (Kan.) on Thursday morning at Ken White Field.

The Seahawks (2-1) controlled much of the contest, building a 16-point second-half lead before Ottawa rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner with 10 seconds remaining.

Keiser struck first on an eight-play, 66-yard drive capped by a three-yard touchdown pass from Ava Wallace to Ashlea Klam. After Ottawa answered with a 28-yard scoring strike, the Seahawks flipped momentum when Tremesha Harris returned a blocked PAT attempt for two points, giving Keiser a 9-6 edge.

In the second quarter, Janasia Wilson punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 15-6. Ottawa responded, but Wallace engineered a 14-play, 66-yard drive in the final minute of the half, finding Sophia Caprio for a 12-yard touchdown to send Keiser into halftime ahead 22-12.

Wallace finished 29-of-42 passing for 231 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Keiser totaled 250 passing yards and 286 yards of total offense while holding the ball for over 31 minutes.

Klam hauled in two touchdown receptions, while Caprio posted eight catches for 64 yards and a score. Wilson led the team with 11 receptions for 49 yards and added a rushing touchdown.

Midway through the third quarter, Wallace connected with Klam again for a 12-yard touchdown to give Keiser its largest lead at 28-12.
 

Ottawa Rallies Late

Ottawa began chipping away late in the third quarter behind quarterback Anna Anderson, who accounted for five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). The Braves scored with 13 seconds left in the third to cut the deficit to 28-20.

In the fourth quarter, Ottawa added a five-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-26. After a late Keiser drive stalled on an interception, the Braves marched 43 yards in the final two minutes and completed a four-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining to take their first lead of the game, 32-28.

Keiser had one final possession but was unable to convert in the closing seconds.
 

• Time of Possession: Keiser held the ball for 31:43 
• Third Down: Keiser converted 6-of-10 on third downs - on the year, Keiser is converting 57.69%
• Red Zone: Keiser 4-for-4 - the Seahawks have converted in the red zone 10 straight tries (dating back to last game)
• Both Sides of the Ball: Senior Sophia Caprio led the team in receiving (64 yards) and flag pulls (8)
• Defensive 2-Point Conversion: On Thursday, the Seahawks returned Ottawa's first extra-attempt as Ashlea Klam picked off the Anderson pass attempt, pitched it to Francesca Lara at the 20-yard line. Lara then found Tremesha Harris at their onw 30, who took it to the house
• Common Neutral Site Opponent: Thursday marked the eighth neutral-site game between the two teams
• More on Neutral Sites: The Seahawks are now 29-9 all-time in neutral-site games
• In Waleska, Georgia: Seahawks are now 3-2 all-time in games played in Waleska, Georgia
• Only One Lead Change: Keiser led for 23:50 of the game, trailing for the only time with 10 seconds left in the game
• Kylee in the Backfield: On Thursday, Kylee Caetano registered a sack in her third straight game