Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn.Second-half comeback, red-zone fourth down, overtime and double elimination under the lights.

Minnesota's inaugural collegiate women's flag football season couldn't have had a better concluding tournament.

The Vikings helped seven NCAA institutionsmake history this springwhen they launched the first-of-its kind league. The inaugural season featured Saturday jamborees at the University of Northwestern St. Paul and the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and culminated April 26 with a championship tournament at TCO Stadium.

"It's such an amazing experience for girls to not only experience what typically people stereotype as a 'men's sport,' but I also think it's been a great opportunity to grow and push ourselves to do things maybe we weren't able to do in high school," Augustana senior Mia Frank said.

Frank was part of a resilient Augustana University team that lost its first game to UW-Stout but then defeated Bethel University and Concordia Moorhead to work through the consolation bracket and rematch against Stout in the championship.

Frank helped lead the Augustana Vikings on a second-half comeback to force the game into overtime and secure a nail-biting win; because the tournament was double-elimination, however, Augustana and Stout had to immediately play each other a third time against a setting sun.

Ultimately, the Blue Devils pulled away with the title.

Though the Vikings fell just short of the championship trophy, Frank is so thankful to have participated in the inaugural season.

"I played competitive sports all through middle school, though high school, and honestly, I just knew it was going to be a great opportunity to one, just put myself back out there, have fun with a bunch of other girls, and then also just play competitively again," Frank said. "It's been such an amazing experience. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing team, and I think it's one of the most brilliant things [that's happened] recently."

Ava Sylvester, a freshman at Concordia Moorhead who also played soccer for the Cobbers, echoed the sentiments of multiple women and noted she jumped at the opportunity to get involved with the startup flag league.

Sylvester recalled growing up as a committed Vikings fan, watching games with her dad and falling in love with football early on but not having an outlet to play the way her brothers did.

"When I heard this was happening, I was like, 'Oh my gosh. This is amazing!' I wanted to be part of it so bad," she said. "And I feel like this is so important because now younger generations can [look forward to it], as well."

Adalyn Lehman is nearing the end of her time at Stout, currently studying as a grad student, and couldn't imagine a better way to wrap up her college career.

After growing up playing basketball and running cross country and track, Lehman called flag football "the perfect opportunity" to try something new and build additional relationships within the female athletics community.

"Of course sports are very competitive, and on the field, you see that, but afterwards, I think us all sharing the common goal of trying something new and having fun is really cool," Lehman said.

Stout teammate Mia Schmoll, a junior, called it the "highlight of my year" to connect with other teams throughout the season and culminate with a tournament at the Vikings practice facility.

"The whole day has been so fun and a lot of really competitive, close games," Schmoll said. "It's been a lot of really good teams playing out here today.

"I'm such a competitive person," she said, "so having another chance to [play sports] and do something I've never tried before, it's [been amazing]."

Vikings Vice President of Social Impact Brett Taber, who took in the jamboree along with his 7-year-old son, called the inaugural season a "resounding success" with tremendous potential for growth.

"The Minnesota Vikings are proud to help create opportunities for these athletes, and collectively, they put on an incredible display of passion and athleticism," Taber said. "The Championship Tournament at TCO Stadium was exhilarating on every play, and it is clear that flag football in our region has only just begun."

As Lehman works to finish her graduate program at Stout and then moves into a career in psychology, she's immensely grateful to have been a part of launching the women's flag league and looks forward to keeping tabs on it.

And, maybe even the Vikings.

"Oh my gosh, this has been one of most fun days of my life," Lehman smiled. "And I'm from Wisconsin, so I'm a Packers fan, but honestly? After today, I might be switching sides."