Steve Galluzzo
The Pali Blues, a local women's club soccer team, remained undefeated and took over sole possession opf first place in the W-League's Western Conference with a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps Sunday afternoon at Palisades High's Stadium by the Sea.
"Throughout the game we made some great runs and maintained great timing," Blues Coach Charlie Naimo said. "We trusted each other and were able to run our game plan through the midfield. Every goal we scored was a nice goal."
Despite dominating play, the Blues managed to score just once in the first half, when forward Liz Bogus re-directed midfielder Leah Tapscott's feed in the 11th minute. Forward Danesha Adams converted a penalty kick four minutes into the second half. In the 74th minute Adams allowed a Amy LePeilbet pass to roll through her legs to the waiting foot of Katy Cross for the Blues' third goal.
Forward Mele French scored the last goal unassisted at the 84-minute mark. Val Henderson made five saves for her second shutout of the season.
"Val was tremendous today," Naimo said. "She read the game very well, and she was right there to clean up when the backs got in trouble. She was definitely the MVP of the afternoon."
The teams meet again this Sunday in Vancouver. The Blues return to Stadium by the Sea on Monday, June 30, when they host the Fort Collins Force.
