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During her early years with the team, D.C. Divas' tight end Donna Wilkinson was the team's genuine workhorse. As a running back, she once ran for more than 1,000 yards in a season that included just an eight-game regular slate.

But after suffering a knee injury in 2005 and a broken back last season, Wilkinson has had to work her way into a new role. Saturday night in the Divas' 27-7 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Passion, Wilkinson caught two passes from quarterback Allyson Hamlin, including a touchdown, and gave every indication that her difficult road to recovery is finally complete. The Divas are 3-0 in the Independent Women's Football League and have outscored their foes 95-7 .

"It's great to be healthy again," Wilkinson said after the Divas outplayed the Passion in front of roughly 1,000 spectators at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover. "I think this game sends a message to the league that we're back and we're good. We have so many great players on this team at quarterback, running backs and offense and defense. A win like this puts us in great position to win the division title and get us back into the playoffs."

Pittsburgh (2-1) opened the game with a long drive that stalled in D.C. territory and ended with a short punt. The Passion started their next drive in Divas' territory, but advanced only 1 yard. After being stuffed on each of their first two possessions, the Divas went 72 yards on 11 plays and scored on a fourth-and-goal from the 7 when Hamlin connected with veteran wide receiver Nikki Williams.

"They came out and basically took away our running game and once they seemed focused on that we decided to spread the field and throw the ball," Hamlin said. "I know that anytime our receivers get one-on-one coverage they're going to get open. All that I have to do is get the ball to them. Tara [Stephenson] ran some great routes and Donna beat her defender for that last touchdown."

Midway through the second quarter Hamlin directed the Divas on another scoring drive. Starting from midfield she connected twice with receivers Tara Stephenson and Williams on 16-yard plays. Running back Tiffany Mathews capped the drive with a 9-yard run to make it 13-0. The Divas went 56 yards in the last 90 seconds of the first half to claim a 19-0 lead on a 4-yard run by La Shawn Foust.

On their opening possession of the second half, the Divas took over at midfield and Hamlin connected with Shara McNeil for 27 yards on a third-down play. The drive ended with Hamlin's TD pass to Wilkinson. Foust plowed forward for the two-point conversion and a 27-0 lead.

"I knew prior to that play that I was going to get open," Wilkinson said. "I had single coverage and really all that I had to do was get to the corner and Allyson just put the ball in a perfect spot for me."

Divas' safety Alison Fischer ended a 14-play, nine-minute Pittsburgh drive with an interception in the end zone. The Passion got their only points with 1:54 left to play on an 8-yard run by Lauren Bracco, ending the Divas' bid for a third consecutive shutout.

E-mail Ted Black at tblack@gazette.net.