Challenging Match-ups and Key Moments Ahead
By Josh Ballou and Amirah Razman
Nebraska Pride – April 26
The Vixen will kick off their season at home, hosting the first of two meetings with the Nebraska Pride on Saturday, April 26. The Pride are up-and-coming following their D2 National Championship last year. It will be an early test in the season for the Vixen offense, as the Nebraska defense emphasizes constantly changing and presenting different packages, even play-by-play.
“Success for our offense relies on our QB and offense to recognize these changes and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage,” said Vixen head coach Connor Lewis when asked about the challenge facing Nebraska.
The Vixen hold a perfect record against the Pride (3-0). However, past success will not guarantee a victory. All signs point to this game being a battle of the trenches that will set the tone for the season.
May 10 @ St. Louis Slam: For the second game of the season, the Vixen head to St. Louis for the first of their two matchups for the season.
“It’s always hot in St. Louis… we have better temperatures for us to play in, especially earlier in the season,” Coach Lewis said. “They come in as a well-coached team, a fundamentally sound team with a lot of veterans and rookies.”
The Slam boasts a strong roster, including Mary Altepeter, the American Conference’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. The key for Vixen success is to make as few mistakes as possible – and to be aggressive with the ball right away. And for the rookies, it’s about not feeling intimidated towards the defending champions and to put their all on the field.
“Let them go out there, let them know that it’s going to be a hard game, but play free,” Lewis said. “Playing a team like the Slam really allows them to step up and take responsibility for their roles.”
DC Divas – May 17
The Vixen will face the DC Divas on Saturday, May 17. This is only the second encounter between these two historic women’s franchises. In last year’s inaugural match, the Vixen won by a narrow margin of 42-34 in a thrilling shootout. This season, DC has strengthened its roster by adding both American and international talent, making it even more formidable. With both teams looking to make a big statement, this rematch could have significant implications for the playoffs ahead.
St. Louis Slam – May 31
This is a rematch-heavy season for the Vixen. May 31 will mark the season’s second meeting against the reigning champs, the St. Louis Slam. A formidable opponent, the Slam have come out on top in ten of their 11 matchups with the Vixen. Last year’s matchup was a nail-biter, which saw the Vixen spark a 4th quarter comeback down two scores, resulting in a one-point loss ending in a Vixen failed 2-point conversion attempt.
“[St. Louis] are extremely well coached and fundamentally sound,” Coach Lewis said. “So it’s usually a game of who makes less mistakes and more big plays.”
The Vixen will look to flip the script this season and try to limit the Slam’s strengths and play their best brand of Vixen football.
June 7 @ Cali War: This highly-anticipated matchup has the Vixen traveling out west to Los Angeles to take on the War, an opponent that hasn’t been faced since 2023. The Vixen are 3-0 in all their meetings with the War, but that doesn’t mean the Vixen can play softly – every meeting between the Vixen and the War has been shootouts, leading to close, tight games between the two.
“They’re a very talented group, [there’s] a lot of history with that team,” Coach Lewis said. “We just need to be fundamentally sound in that game and stick to our assignments.”
The Vixen need to prepare and be ready for a barrage of trick plays and offensive switchups, which the War are known for. Vixen’s defensive unit needs to remember their role in the team and have trust in one another. Another crucial aspect to beating the War is executing consistent tackling.
“They have very good, elusive runners,” Lewis said. “We need to make sure we are getting to the ball, and if we can make good tackles, I think we’ll be just fine.”
June 14 @ Nebraska Pride: Ending the season in Nebraska, the Vixen have their second in-season meeting with the Pride. The Pride picked up a big handful of rookies, who are expected to make huge contributions to the team. The key for the Vixen to be successful in this matchup is to control the line of scrimmage, especially when dealing with a Nebraska defense known for drawing up different defensive plays.
“We need our offense to not be overwhelmed by the different defenses they put out…they switched their defense up nearly every play. We need unique things [from the offense],” Coach Lewis said.
The Vixen will need to stay aggressive and set the tone early heading into this matchup, which will likely have playoff implications as the last game of the season. Holding onto a playoff mentality heading into the game, the Vixen will need to make sure they can enter the postseason with as much momentum as they can get.
The Vixen are playing with an all-Pro schedule for the first time in WFA history, giving the players an opportunity to be challenged and compete at a high level. Another first for the Vixen this year is a home game against DC, a marquee matchup where the Vixen hopes to hold a steady winning stand.
“Having those teams and those types of players come here is big for women’s football and big for the Vixen,” Lewis said. “We have such good fans, our fans at home are amazing. I’m excited to bring that level of football [to Minnesota].”
Coaching Staff
Coach Connor Jo Lewis enters her second year as head coach, with Defensive Coordinator Eric Meng and Special Teams Coordinator Tina Mielke again supporting her. Back working on special teams is long time Vixen coach, Adam Griffith.
The Vixen are adding new position coaches to the staff for 2025.
- Josh Beck – Running Back Coach
- Kobi Bannerman – Wide Receivers Coach
- Kyle Erickson – Safeties Coach
- Shawn Peters – Defensive Line Coach
Conclusion
With a loaded schedule featuring powerhouse opponents and high-stakes rematches, the 2025 Minnesota Vixen season is set to be one of the most competitive in team history. From the home opener against the reigning D2 champs to road tests against the Slam, War, and Pride, every week will challenge the Vixen to rise to a new level of execution and resilience.
Under the leadership of Coach Connor Jo Lewis and a bolstered coaching staff, the team is prepared to meet those challenges head-on. Whether it’s adjusting to complex defenses, staying composed in hostile environments, or capitalizing on big-play opportunities, this season will be a proving ground for both seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers.
As the Vixen embark on this all-Pro slate, they’ll do so with a fierce commitment to growth, grit, and Vixen pride—backed by one of the best fanbases in the league. The road to the playoffs begins now, and the path ahead promises to be one worth watching.