After a statement win over the reigning national champions to open the season, the Minnesota Vixen defended their new home turf for the first time against the Mile High Blaze. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Vixen took on the Blaze at Hamline University’s Klas Field and won in dominant fashion, 62-20. Now, the Vixen are set to hit the road again in week three with a matchup with a Women’s Football Alliance divisional foe, the Houston Energy.
The Vixen’s defense was once again relentless in week two against the Blaze, limiting their offense to six first downs and 106 total yards on 49 plays. The Blaze quarterbacks were kept to three completions on 18 attempts for 97 yards, 82 of which came from single play late in the game. The ground game for Mile High was blanketed by Minnesota, collecting a net total of nine yards on 30 rushing attempts.
Vixen defensive back Britt Peterson was a menace for the Blaze throughout the game, racking up five total tackles, a sack, forced fumble, four tackles for loss and a pass breakup. She also returned two punts for 42 total yards. In total, the Vixen defense had two interceptions, including a pick six, two sacks, 14 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and 11 pass breakups. The Vixen’s second interception was returned for a touchdown by rookie defensive back Ashley Waalen, who said they’re now ready for the next challenge on the schedule.
“We create chaos together, we communicate together,” she said. “It felt good, I got the jitters out so I feel ready and locked in for the next game.”
For veteran Cynthia ‘Red’ Bryant, who has been a part of the Vixen team since its inception in 1999, said the defense is starting to show who they are with back-to-back impressive performances.
“It’s putting the defense on the map, showing what we got,” Bryant said after the game. “This team is playing for each other on offense, defense, special teams, we are here for each other, that’s what we do. That’s what it’s about.”
On the other side of the ball, the offense was electric, racking up over 400 total yards. Captain QB Erin Kelley led the way for the Vixen, with 16 completions on 31 attempts for 230 passing yards and four touchdowns, with an additional rushing touchdown to cap off her performance. Wide receiver Amanda Dvorak led the Vixen’s receivers room with four catches for 83 yards, followed by WR Jackie Radford, who had five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Radford also pitched in the rushing attack with three carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
In the rushing attack, running back Paige Kuplic nearly broke the century mark with 97 yards on 13 carries. RB Tiff Wright tallied two touchdowns, ten carries and 39 total yards. Both the passing and running games were aided by a stout offensive line who enforced their will in the trenches, allowing zero sacks and only two tackles for loss in the game. The offensive line featured a mixture of returning veterans and rookies, including Natatlie Kalimu who had her first career start Saturday.
“It was definitely awesome, something I already told the coaches at the beginning of the season that I wanted to come out and start sometime during the year and I definitely got the chance to show them what I got,” the rookie said.
“It’s my family, it’s become my family, we’re getting so close to each other and definitely knowing each other a little bit more,” Kalimu said of her offensive line unit, adding that the veterans have helped her acclimate to the play of the WFA.
In week three, the 2-0 Vixen head down to Texas to take on the 1-0 Houston Energy at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 9. The game will be live streamed on the Vixen’s official YouTube channel. Minnesota’s next home game will be at 6 p.m. CT on May 16 at Hamline University’s Klas Field against the Dallas Elite Mustangs. Tickets are still available, click here for more information.
Photos credit to Wendy Nielsen Photo