The Pali Blues (7-0-3) gave their fans something to celebrate over the July 4th weekend with a 4-0 victory over the Ventura County Fusion (1-5-3). After gaining a 1-0 lead in the first half and triggering a hail of teddy bears for the 1st Annual Teddy Bear Toss, the Blues broke open the game with three more goals in the second half.

“Today was a great day,” commented Blues head coach Charlie Naimo. “The performance on the field was very entertaining; the players really gave the fans a treat.”

A spirited home crowd arrived armed with teddy bears in honor of the Pali Blues 1st Annual Teddy Bear Toss and the Blues did not disappoint. In the 33rd minute, midfielder Tobin Heath received a pass from forward Iris Mora and scored for a 1-0 lead. Teddy bears from excited fans then rained down onto the field and were gathered up to be donated to the Upward Bound House and the Elevate Hope Foundation.

The Pali Blues were not done scoring. Early in the second half, forward Lauren Cheney made a well-timed pass at streaking midfielder Nikki Washington, who was able to put the ball past Fusion goalkeeper Kay Hawke in the 51st minute. In the 60th minute, Kelley O’Hara got around Hawke and put the ball in the net to put the Blues up 3-0. The Blues continued their barrage of shots and in the 74th minute, Mora corralled the rebound off a Washington miss and scored the Blues’ fourth and final goal.

An enthusiastic group of fans led the crowd in pumping up the team with a variety of cheers and the occasional wave, an effort that was appreciated by those on the field.

“Outside the lines the operations were completely in line”, remarked Naimo. “I loved our new hooligans – best I have seen in our league.”

The Pali Blues’ next home game will be on Friday July 10th against the Colorado Force at 7 pm. For more information or to order tickets, call 310-264-4649.