Marta provided the thrills at halftime but it was Christen Press, Kelley O’Hara and company who sent the hometown fans into a frenzy as the Pali Blues scored four goals in the final 15 minutes to beat the Colorado Force 5-2 in their playoff opener on “Sol Night” last Saturday at Stadium by the Sea. It appeared victory would come easy for the Blues when Press scored on a rebound in the 11th minute, but Colorado hung tough and trailed only 1-0 at intermission. That’s when Marta, the Brazilian national team star, and her Los Angeles Sol teammates signed autographs for adoring young fans. “The United States has the No. 1 women’s team in the world so yes, they play good football (soccer) here,” Marta said, referring to the new Women’s Pro Soccer league. “This is a good time to come here. It’s a really good league with good players.” Colorado’s Nikki Marshall scored twice early in the second half to give the feisty Force a 2-1 lead. Perhaps spurred on by the “Tony Danza Army” and their boisterous cheers, the Blues responded with championship courage. First, Press rifled a shot just under the crossbar from 25 yards in the 75th minute to tie the game. Then, O’Hara trapped a pass from Lauren Cheney, pivoted and fired into the upper left corner for the go-ahead goal in the 88th minute. “Lauren gave me a great ball and I just got separation from the defender,” O’Hara said. “This team has a lot of heart. We’ve really come together as a group.” Knowing Colorado was pressing forward for the equalizer, Iris Mora took advantage with two breakaway goals in stoppage time to provide the final margin in a game that was closer than the scored indicated. “We’re fortunate to just have to worry about us and not what the other team’s doing,” Blues forward Nikki Washington said. “We’re having such an awesome time together and that’s what got us through. We rely on each other.” No player was more thrilled to win than starting defender and Pacific Palisades resident Ali Riley, who has one more game in a Blues uniform before joining Press and O’Hara in Palo Alto to begin preparation for her senior season at Stanford. “I’m so happy [to win], we all wanted it so much,” said Riley, who led New Zealand’s national team against Marta and Brazil at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007. “It’s awesome because this gets us game fit. There’s no better practice [for college] than this and hopefully we can send the team off [to the finals] with one more win.” The defending champion Blues (10-0-3) take on the Hudson Valley Quickstrike in New York on Friday for a berth in the USL W-League Finals. If victorious, the Blues could host the championship game on Friday, August 11. “I was worried about playing a team in our conference for the third time,” Blues Coach Charlie Naimo said. “But I like what we did in this game and there are some things we can carry over to the next one.” Earlier in the day and on the same field the Hollywood Hitmen fell to the 3 Ventura County Fusion, 3-1, in extra time, bringing an end to the local men’s semi-pro squad’s inaugural Premiere Development League season. Led by Palisadian Federico Bianchi, the Hitmen won the PDL’s Southwest Division and were the heavy favorites Saturday. They took a 1-0 lead on a header off of a corner kick by Peter Hazdovac in the 26th minute. Ventura tied it 10 minutes later and neither team scored for the remainder of regulation.

Eldin Onsgard, the Junior Lifeguards “A” (ages 14-16) instructor issued a challenge to his group of 51 teens last Monday morning–swimming, paddling or running two and a half miles from the Will Rogers lifeguard headquarters to the Santa Monica Pier and back. Four weeks into the program Onsgard felt his teens, who have been running several miles, swimming at least 20 minutes in the ocean and paddle boarding five days a week, were ready for the ocean swim challenge. Palisadian Paul Silka, M.D., the chief medical information officer at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and a LA County lifeguard, came up with the idea. That morning Onsgard gave his teens a pep talk. “We’re Team Will Rogers and we’re going to the pier,” he said. “This is an opportunity to really challenge our courage. With courage we gain confidence.” Fifteen of the “A” guards elected to paddle next to the swimmers and six more chose to run along the sand, carrying water, granola bars and other supplies for any swimmers who might come ashore. Silka and Onsgard led 30 swimmers into the ocean when, as if on cue, dolphins instantly surrounded the teens as they started their swim south. One hour and 25 minutes later, the first “A” Jordan Wilimovsky, a former Palisades-Malibu YMCA team member, was first to finish. After another 30 minutes the last of the swimmers came ashore, including Catherine Brutyan, Will Hughes, Haley Nilsson, Natalie Stilz, Isabel Casso, Leland Frankel, Elizabeth Haun, Ben and Lila Lewenstein, Ruby Allen, Adam Czer, Andrew Hacker, Olivia Kirkpatrick and sisters Mara and Ana Silka. Onsgard was proud that the swimmers who did not finish had attempted it, with most swimming at least half of the distance. After everyone reached the pier, the paddle boarders, turned around and paddled back to Will Rogers, leaving swimmers and runners the jog back. “I want to make it an annual event,” Onsgard said of the pier swim. * * * * Several Will Rogers guards competed in the Regional Championships at Seal Beach last Friday. In the “C” Group (ages 9-11), Zack Senator was fourth; in the “B” Group (12-13), Wes Gallie won the paddle and was runner-up in the run, fellow Paul Revere student Tristan Marsh won the swim relay, was second in the swim and third in run-swim-run; and Mac Bradley was third in the run relay. Jordan Wilimovsky was sixth in run-swim-run in the ‘A’ Group (14-17) while in the “AA” Division (16-17) Ana Silka’s paddle relay team won, Palisades High’s Ben Lewenstein was fourth in run-swim-run and Isabel Casso was second in the swim relay and sixth in run-swim-run. The Taplin Relays begin tomorrow at Dockweiller Beach.

Kendall Gustafson and Drake Johnston, standout track and field athletes last year at Paul Revere Middle School, continued their winning ways ways in Ypsilanti, Michigan at the USA Track & Field Youth Nationals over July 4 weekend. Gustafson, already two-time national champion, struck gold in the Pentathlon (100 hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800 meters) and medaled in three individual events, placing third in the long jump (17′ 2″), fourth in the high jump (4′ 11″) and fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.25 seconds). Gustafson won the 200 hurdles and took third in the 200 meters at the Cal State Games last weekend. Johnston, who runs for the South Orange County Wildcats Track Club, medaled in all three of his events, placing first in the 4 x 800 relay (9:03), third in the 3,000 meters (9:32) and fourth in the pole vault (8′ 4″). Johnston won the pole vault and was fourth in the 3,000 meters at the Track City International Classic in Eugene, Oregon last week. Both Johnston and Gustafson qualified to compete in the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships, which started Tuesday in Greensboro, North Carolina. Both Gustafson and Johnston will attend Palisades High in the fall.

The Palisades Patriots, a U12 boys’ All-Star team consisting of PPBA Bronco Players, leave tomorrow to play in the 104-team invitational tournament in Cooperstown, New York, site of the baseball Hall of Fame. Games begin on August 1 after the roadrunner (fastest around the bases), golden arm (throwing skill from center field), king of swat (home run derby) and around the horn (nine-player throwing/catching relay) competitions. Teams will average three games a day for the first four days. Single elimination begins next Wednesday. To reach the final teams must win seven straight games. The Patriots have a 12-player roster and are coached by Rick McGeagh, whose Broncos took second place at this year’s District playoffs in Long Beach. Log on to www.cooperstowndreamspark.com for information. Season Ends for Mustangs The Palisades Pony Baseball Association’s 10-year-old All-Stars won one game but were eliminated last weekend at the Super Regionals in Carlsbad. Coach Joe Collins’ squad won the District playoffs and finished with 12 wins.

Last year’s first-ever “Shotgun 21” Tennis Championships gave Pacific Palisades residents over five hours of thrilling rallies, memorable points and, in the end, one exhausted winner. This year’s tournament will feature more of the same and organizer Steve Bellamy has lined up a star-studded field for Sunday’s unisex, drop-hit event at the Palisades Tennis Center. Men and women will play each other head-to-head in a format that uses underhanded serving, no “lets” and no “winning by two.” Prize money will be a minimum of $15,000 and the four quarterfinalists win Fender Stratocaster guitars. Highlighting the draw will be Mike and Bob Bryan, who have combined for 22 Grand Slam titles, 108 ATP Tour titles and a 15-2 Davis Cup doubles record. Nor are they strangers to the Palisades, having participated in the PTC’s 10th anniversary “Racquets, Stars and Guitars” event in 2006. Also coming are Sam Querrey, currently ranked No. 37 in the world, and fellow pros John Isner, Donald Young, Tommy Haas, Prakash Amritraj and Vince Spadea. “That was one of the coolest events I’ve ever played,” Querrey said after losing by one point in the semifinals last year. “Steve [Bellamy] gave me my first wild card into pro tennis and it was great to be back with him.” The tournament, which was set-up as a promotional vehicle for the men’s pro tournament at UCLA. Ashley Harkleroad, one of America’s most popular female players has signed up to play along with her husband Chuck Adams, a retired pro who was ranked as high as No. 34 in the world and grew up in Pacific Palisades. Former Wimbledon semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson is also ready. “I’ve played against men my whole life,” she said. “So I think I can take out some of these guys.” Others who have indicated they will play include defending champion Alex Bogomolov and runner-up Phillip King, Zack Fleishman, Ryan Sweeting, Scott Davis, Travis Parrott, Robert Kendrick and Derrick Rostagno. Robbie Ginepri and Taylor Dent are also possibilities along with local juniors Clay Thompson, Robbie Bellamy, Justin Atlin and Brett Allchorn. Celebrities who have been invited include local beach volleyball legend Sinjin Smith, skier Bode Miller, actresses Donna Mills, Elizabeth Shue and Melissa Rivers, Dr. Phil and rock star Gavin Rossdale, who lost to Querrey in the second round last year. “This is a great mix of talent and amazing people,” Bellamy said. “The celebrities who are playing are authentic tennis players and have game. Given the competition it’s not likely that they’ll make it out of the first or second round, but the matches will be very real.” Those who want to do more than just watch can enter the qualifying round at noon. At least four people will earn wildcards into the main draw and an opportunity to trade groundstrokes with the pros. The main draw will start at 3 p.m. and conclude by about 7 p.m. Anyone interested in playing should call 860-335-7503.

Brazilian Striker and LA Sol Teammates To Attend Blues’ Playoff Game Saturday

As if Pali Blues players aren’t going to be pumped up enough for their playoff opener, they will get an added kick of adrenaline on Saturday night at Stadium by the Sea when they invite international soccer star Marta and her Los Angeles Sol teammates onto the field to sign autographs at halftime. “Sol Night” also features a special offer for Sol playoff tickets and a Marta bobblehead doll. The W-League Western Conference champion Blues will host the Colorado Force, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. The local club has yet to lose a game in its first two seasons. Knowing perhaps the best female player in the world is in attendance figures to inspire them. Still just 23 years old, Marta Vieira da Silva, known around the world simply as “Marta,” has been named FIFA Player of the Year for three straight years and led the Brazilian National Team to Olympic silver medals in 2004 and 2008. She won the Golden Ball Award as the best player and the Golden Boot award as the top scorer at the 2007 Women’s World Cup. After scoring 111 goals in 103 matches over five seasons with Umea, a club team in Sweden, Marta joined the Sol of the new Women’s Professional League. The Sol are currently in first place and, not surprisingly, Marta leads the team in scoring. “Marta has been everything we hoped she would be and then some,” Pali Blues Coach and Sol General Manager Charlie Naimo said. “She’s getting it done on the field and has been a great ambassador for the franchise, the league and the game.” In their inaugural season last year the Blues posted a perfect 14-0 record on their way to capturing the league championship. The team finished the calendar year as the No. 2-ranked women’s club in the world by Women’s World Football and an astonishing 15 players from its 2008 roster moved on to play in the WPS, the highest level of women’s soccer in North America. “Having Marta in the stadium will be fantastic,” Blues General Manager Jason Lemire said. “Our fans come to games to see stars in the making. Marta and her fellow teammates on the Sol represent the fulfillment of that dream.” The Blues (9-0-3) finished the regular season with a 4-1 home victory over the Seattle Sounders last Saturday night. The roster features many of the most talented young players in the world, including Pacific Palisades’ own Ali Riley, Amanda Lisberger and Caitlin Blosser. “I was glad to see the team respond to being a goal down with four unanswered,” Naimo said. “We’re going into the playoffs averaging 3.5 goals per game in the last four and we have all of our players available, so the feeling around here is positive. This is just a great group and I want to see them succeed. They deserve it.” Though proud of the success his teams have enjoyed so far, Naimo knows there is still plenty of soccer yet to be played and is keeping his focus squarely on the silverware: “It’s a great feeling that both of my teams are in a position to win titles but we expected it. Everyone worked extremely hard in the fall and winter and now we are enjoying the fruits of our labor. However, neither our players nor our staff are content. We are focused on championships.” Tickets to Saturday’s playoff opener are $10 for adults or $5 for children and are available online at www.bluessoccerclub.com or by phone at 310-264-4649.

The Palisades Pony Baseball Association’s Bronco Division All-Stars faced a daunting task at last week’s Coastal District Playoffs in Long Beach: having to win four straight games versus the top 12-year-old squads from the Westside to the South Bay. The local boys nearly pulled it off. After opening the tournament with a resounding 19-7 victory over Mira Costa last Sunday, Coach Rick McGeagh’s team was beaten by Torrance 10-3 the following day and dropped to the loser’s bracket, thus facing elimination in each subsequent game. Palisades wasn’t about to go down quietly. It needed nine innings and five pitchers to defeat Cheviot Hills 10-7 last Tuesday, as Nicky Rivera had three hits, Matt McGeagh had two hits and three runs scored and Bryant Falconello had two hits and two runs batted in. Anthony Poulos, Aiden Fite and Daniel Hakman also contributed to the victory. The team was back at it 15 hours later, this time facing beach rival Santa Monica. Palisades’ offense erupted for nine runs in the top of the first inning and they proved to be more than enough for pitcher Jonathan Sington, who struck out three and walked none over five innings of a 14-1 mercy-rule victory. At the plate, Matt McGeagh had four hits and four RBI, Reece Pascoe had three hits and three RBI, Rivera had three hits and two RBI while Matt Douglas and Jack McGeagh each added two hits and two RBI. On Thursday, Palisades avenged its loss to Torrance with a shocking 21-3 win in five innings. Cade Hulse pitched his second straight complete game and helped his cause at the plate, going four-for-four with three runs and three RBI. Rivera had four hits and scored four runs, Matt McGeagh had three hits, three RBI and two runs; Douglas had two hits, three runs and two RBI, Hudson Ling had three hits, four RBI and one run, Jack McGeagh had two hits, two walks, two runs and two RBI and Tyler McMorrow drew three walks and scored three runs. The three straight victories landed Palisades in last Friday’s championship game against host East Long Beach, which jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Palisades battled back to lead 5-4 after three innings before Long Beach tied it in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the frame Matt McGeagh hit a one-out double but was left stranded. In the sixth, the host club got a lead-off home run, added a second run with two outs and led 7-5. Palisades threatened in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to score. Though it fell one win short of reaching the Super Regionals, Palisades advanced further than any PPBA Bronco team ever has, finishing with an overall record of 15-6. “I’m very proud of our team and the kids’ tenacious performance,” Coach McGeagh said. “They all worked very hard throughout the All-Star season and it paid off. Our success was a team effort, with contributions by all players.” Mustang Still riding high after winning the District 2 Playoffs held the previous week at the Field of Dreams, Palisades’ 10-year-old All-Stars traveled to Torrance for the Sectionals and beat Norwalk, 14-3, on Saturday. Jason Starrels pitched a two-hitter with four strikeouts and went four-for-four at the plate with three runs and four RBI. Nick Hurley and Gabe Stewart each had three hits, Emmett Collins had two hits and two RBI, Dylan Damavandi had two hits and Will Winkenhower, Matt Ursin-Smith and Zach Lynch each added a hit. In Sunday’s championship game, Palisades’ offense was finally stymied by host Torrance, 10-0, but Joe Collins’ squad (11-4) still advanced to the Super Regionals, which begin today in Carlsbad. The top two teams will advance to the Zone Championships next week in Chino.