The Pali Blues are now in Bradenton, Florida, after their 2-0 win on Sunday over the L.A. Strikers in the Western Conference championship game at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium. They will face the Washington Spirit Reserves tomorrow in the W-League championship semifinals at IMG Academy.
It took 28 minutes for the Blues to get on the board Sunday against the Strikers. Forward Katie Stengel received a pass from defender Caprice Dydasco, faked a pass to forward Mele French as French was making a run on the left side of the field, and shot a rocket from just outside the penalty area in the upper left corner of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
The Strikers responded quickly, but were thwarted by the Blues’ stalwart goalkeeper, Anna Picarelli, who made a pair of key saves over the next several minutes to keep the lead intact. First, Picarelli made a diving stop to her right on a hard shot by Laura Coombs, then turned away a shot by Kristy Moore off a poor clearance by the Blues.
Both teams essentially traded missed opportunities until the game’s final seconds, in stoppage time, when the Blues iced their Western League title. An initial opportunity was thwarted by L.A.’s goalie, Samantha Prudhomme, when Stengel squared a pass to defender Ashley Freyer on the left side, but Freyer’s shot went just over the crossbar. A few seconds later, however, Stengel found second-half substitute Chioma Ubogagu, who poked a shot past Prudhomme.
Pali Blues Beat Strikers, 2-0, Earn Western Conference Title
The Pali Blues are now in Bradenton, Florida, after their 2-0 win on Sunday over the L.A. Strikers in the Western Conference championship game at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium. They will face the Washington Spirit Reserves tomorrow in the W-League championship semifinals at IMG Academy.
It took 28 minutes for the Blues to get on the board Sunday against the Strikers. Forward Katie Stengel received a pass from defender Caprice Dydasco, faked a pass to forward Mele French as French was making a run on the left side of the field, and shot a rocket from just outside the penalty area in the upper left corner of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
The Strikers responded quickly, but were thwarted by the Blues’ stalwart goalkeeper, Anna Picarelli, who made a pair of key saves over the next several minutes to keep the lead intact. First, Picarelli made a diving stop to her right on a hard shot by Laura Coombs, then turned away a shot by Kristy Moore off a poor clearance by the Blues.
Both teams essentially traded missed opportunities until the game’s final seconds, in stoppage time, when the Blues iced their Western League title. An initial opportunity was thwarted by L.A.’s goalie, Samantha Prudhomme, when Stengel squared a pass to defender Ashley Freyer on the left side, but Freyer’s shot went just over the crossbar. A few seconds later, however, Stengel found second-half substitute Chioma Ubogagu, who poked a shot past Prudhomme.
The Blues (9-2-2 overall) continued their stellar play of late, overcoming a season-opening, 2-0 home loss to the Strikers. Picarelli has allowed just four goals in 11 games for a .004 goals against average, and no Pali goalkeeper has given up more than two scores in a single game this season.
Midfielder Ashley Nick leads the team with eight goals, followed by Freyer with seven. Midfielder Sarah Killon has a team-high eight assists, while midfielder Elizabeth Eddy is second with seven.
Following the Blues’ game against the Spirit Reserves at 11 a.m. (PST) tomorrow, the Carolina Elite Cobras will take on the Laval Comets, with both games available live online at uslnation.com. The winners will advance to Sunday’s final at 12 p.m. (PST).
The Blues (9-2-2 overall) continued their stellar play of late, overcoming a season-opening, 2-0 home loss to the Strikers. Picarelli has allowed just four goals in 11 games for a .004 goals against average, and no Pali goalkeeper has given up more than two scores in a single game this season.
Midfielder Ashley Nick leads the team with eight goals, followed by Freyer with seven. Midfielder Sarah Killon has a team-high eight assists, while midfielder Elizabeth Eddy is second with seven.
Following the Blues’ game against the Spirit Reserves at 11 a.m. (PST) tomorrow, the Carolina Elite Cobras will take on the Laval Comets, with both games available live online at uslnation.com. The winners will advance to Sunday’s final at 12 p.m. (PST).
Michael Seff, <I>Sports Editor</I>
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