Pali Blues Kick Off Season With 2-0 Win

Eagle Rock, Calif. – The Pali Blues defeated the LA Strikers in their first game of the 2012 W-League season by a score of 2-0 on Sunday, May 13. Liz Bogus scored the first goal after 68 minutes, and then assisted Sarah Huffman’s goal in the final stages of the match to secure the win.

The Blues got off to a good start attacking early on, creating numerous opportunities for a goal, but none would go in until the 69^th minute when Ann Tangorra was fouled outside the penalty area and the Blues were awarded a free kick.

Huffman stepped up to take it and served the ball inside the six-yard box. Defender Christie Shaner was able to stretch and kick it, but Strikers goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon got a hand on it. Bogus, who was knocked down, was there to jump up from the ground to head the ball that bounced in front of her.

The Blues looked for another goal to secure three points and got it in the 84^th minute of the match, this time Bogus assisting Huffman. The play began when a Lindsey Bullock muscled the Strikers’ Cami Privett off the ball and Anisa Guajardo was close by to take possession.

Guajarado then passed to Elizabeth Eddy, who played the ball up the field to Huffman. With Bogus running on the left side of the field, Huffman passed to her, and then perfectly timed her run to receive the ball once again and get her shot past Congdon.

“I think the game was a good starting point for us,” said Bogus. “We're definitely still coming together as a group and learning how to play with each other. Always feel great to start the season off with a win.”

The Blues will take on the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Sunday, May 20 at Valencia High School at 5 p.m. before playing their first home game of the season against the Strikers at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at Palisades High School.