BY JEFF GOODMAN Palisadian-Post Intern The Pali Blues had been doing it all season long, outplaying their opponents on both ends of the field and dominating from start to finish. So it was no surprise that, in their last regular season home game the Blues put forth an effort that impressed not only their fans but also their opponent. The Blues scored first and never looked back, adding three more goals in the first half alone en route to a 6-0 shutout over Real Colorado last Thursday night at Palisades High’s Stadium by the Sea. Having already clinched the W-League’s first Western Conference championship the Blues (11-0-0) showed why they are unblemished heading into Friday’s season finale against the Los Angeles Legends. The Cougars (3-2-3), who lost 5-1 to the Blues in their first meeting, found the rematch even tougher. Kara Kabellis scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute. Collette McCallum found the net twice in 10 minutes, and her corner kick to Amy LePeilbet netted the Blues’ fourth goal in the 43rd minute. “I thought we were pretty efficient,” Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo said. “We had pretty good possession, and we were able to get quality chances. It’s nice to see us break through with a bunch of goals.” The Blues kept up the pressure after halftime and were rewarded twice. Jill Oakes scored on a header in the 62nd minute and India Trotter capped off the night in the 73rd minute with a smooth crossover and a low shot that bulged the back left corner of the net. The offensive explosion was a welcome sight for Naimo, whose team scored more goals against the Cougars than it did in its last three games combined. The defense, however, has been as good as any coach could want: six shutouts in the last six games. In fact, the Blues haven’t surrendered a goal since their last game against Real Colorado in Centennial on June 8. So with the defense a stone wall and the offense suddenly clicking, the Blues look to be a force to be reckoned with when the postseason begins later this month. Winning the conference was merely the first step for a team looking more and more like a juggernaut every game. “That was goal number one,” said Naimo, who hopes to reach the finals for the third time in five years. “Obviously, you cross it off the list, and the next goal is regular season champions. Then we go on to the ultimate prize.” For Naimo, the prize of the night was being able to give ample playing time to all six reserves. Such depth, coupled with a healthy lineup and a little bit of luck, is crucial to a run for the league crown, he said. Naimo is not surprised by his team’s success, even in its inaugural season. “The ownership wanted to give something great to the Palisades,” he said. “I started working back on this project in October, and from day one the goal was to challenge for a championship.” Now that goal seems very much within reach. The Blues and Legends kick off at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Citrus College. The Blues defeated their cross-city rivals 4-0 in their first meeting May 17. Having previously coached the United Soccer League’s New Jersey Wildcats, Naimo is quite familiar with his competition and said several teams in the East are capable of challenging the Blues in the playoffs. “I believe on paper we have the most talent but that doesn’t mean there aren’t teams out there who can beat us,” Naimo said. “I have the advantage of knowing them but they may not know us.” The Blues will be the West’s top seed for the playoffs and have a bye in next Tuesday’s divisional round. The conference semifinals are next weekend and the league championship match is August 2 in Virginia Beach.
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