Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Saturday, June 5, 2010) - In one of the most memorable finishes in team history, the Pali Blues captured a dramatic victory over local rivals the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in a game that marked the true beginning of a cross town rivalry. With Ali Hawkins rising to meet a Tiana Brockway corner in the game’s dying moments to score the game’s only goal, the 1-0 scoreline did little to capture the excitement both on the field and in the stands for both teams’ 2010 W-League season opener and the start of the Blues’ quest to become the first team in league history to win three championships in a row.
The game began brightly for the Blues with several quality chances from Belgium International Janice Cayman, and the back-to-back defending champions enjoying the bulk of possession with quality ball movement. But it was evident from the opening whistle that Santa Clarita were intent on rewriting the script from May 22’s exhibition when the Blues cruised to a 3-1 victory with relative ease. With a physical approach in the midfield and a go-for-broke willingness to battle for crosses and block shots, the Blue Heat conceded ten shots, but succeeded in keeping the Blues off the scoreboard through the first forty five. There were plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowd as players clashed in the Santa Clarita box and the Blues just missed the frame on a handful of occasions including a left-footed shot from streaking defender Michelle Wenino that curled just wide of the post. As the teams made their way to the locker rooms with the scored still knotted at 0-0, the sense in the stands was that in spite of largely dominating the proceedings the Blues perfect home record, unblemished in team history, could be in jeopardy.
As the afternoon sun gave way to a misty evening, the second half soon became a test of whether or not the Blues could successfully breakdown Santa Clarita’s eleven behind the ball defense, or if Santa Clarita would be able to successfully spring a counter attack against the Blues’ stout and technical backline of Tiana Brockway, Tuija Hyyrynen, Michelle Wenino and captain Christie Shaner. The game’s back and forth nature suited the evening’s raucous crowd, which quickly became a face off between Santa Clarita’s passionate (and admirably well travelled) fans and the irrepressibly boisterous Tony Danza Army (TDA), the Blue’s legendary supporters club. Joined by Blue’s mascot Dewey the Dolphin, never before had the TDA been so challenged by visiting fans for song supremacy. Fortunately, the Blues cheering section would be bolstered by a number of local Girl Scout troops who had arrived at the stadium earlier that day to participate in the First Annual Pali Blues Girl Scout Day. Certainly those who were attending a Blues game for the first time picked a gem of a game to experience.
The Blues’ cool possession of the first half made way for a somewhat more direct approach in the second with several more long ball attempts out of the back for Blues speedsters Hikari Nakade and Dani Toney. Nakade in particular had a glorious opportunity when she deftly controlled a pass in stride toward the onrushing Santa Clarita keeper, only to see her chip attempt sail over the crossbar. It should also be noted that the Blues missed the creativity and composure of experienced Japanese midfielder Emi Yamamoto who had impressed during the May 22 exhibition but was sidelined with a fractured wrist sustained in training. As the game reached the final ten minutes it seemed that Santa Clarita might indeed steal an invaluable away point as they continued to stifle attack after attack, blocking numerous shots including a hammer of a volley by Blues midfielder Ali Schaefer off a Brockway corner.
Finally, with the seconds ticking down and the crowd at full voice Brockway delivered her fifth corner the match, a well driven ball that found Hawkins rising above the defense at the far post to smash home a decisive header, sending the Blues faithful into hysterics. Back in April when the Blues announced the signing of Hawkins, Coach Charlie Naimo was quoted as saying "Ali Hawkins is one of the most dominating players in the air I have ever seen.” Prophetic to say the least.
The Blues now prepare to travel to Colorado where familiar foes the Force and W-League newcomers the Rush will surely be gunning for a equally tight affair (and surely be grateful that the Tony Danza Army have yet to secure a chartered bus.)
The Blues return to action at the Stadium-by-the-Sea on Thursday, June 17 at 7pm when the Seattle Sounders come to town. Fans can secure their tickets today at www.bluessoccerclub.com/tickets.
