Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Thursday, May 29, 2008) – The Pali Blues Soccer Club (2-0-0) returns to the friendly confines of the Stadium by the Sea this Saturday when they host the Ventura County Fusion (0-2-1) at 7:00 p.m. The Blues were able to defeat the Fusion by a count of 5-0 when the two clubs played during the opening weekend of the 2008 W-League season.
"We are really looking forward to the match,” Blues head coach Charlie Naimo commented. “We changed a few things in training that make us believe that we will be a better defensive team as well as more efficient with the ball."
Blues midfielder Collette McCallum and forward Rosie Tantillo each notched a pair of second half goals when the two teams met on Saturday, May 10. Forward Danesha Adams finished the game with two assists, setting up a Liz Bogus tally in the 71st minute and McCallum in the 73rd. The Blues out-shot the Fusion in the win by a count of 16-6. Recording the shutout and playing all 90 minutes in net was Valerie Henderson.
Despite the 5-0 victory, Naimo does not feel his club will underestimate their opponents this weekend.
“I think it will be easy to get up for the match because we believe the Fusion are a great team that is well-coached,” he said. “I also think the off-week leaves players excited to play.”
Naimo elaborated on the topic of playing after a bye week.
“The approach after a bye week is no different,” he remarked. “We are there to get three points and be as sharp as possible. We are learning to adopt a ‘higher standard then winning’ mentality, and every game gives us an opportunity to learn how."
Tantillo currently leads the Blues with six points, registering three scores in the first two games of the regular season. Henderson and Karen Bardsley have each posted a shutout in goal for the Blues.
The Fusion are led by head coach Michelle Myers, a former player at Santa Clara University. Myers has spent the past 12 seasons as an assistant coach for Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Leading Ventura County in scoring is forward Tenley Garcia, who has recorded four points on a pair of unassisted knocks. The Fusion have played a different goalkeeper in each of their three contests.
Tickets for all home match-ups are only $10 for adults ($8 with student ID) and $5 for kids under the age of 12. Season tickets are also still available and can be purchased online at www.bluessoccerclub.com.
Stay tuned to the team website at www.bluessoccerclub.com for all updates regarding the Blues.
