Santa Clarita Blue Heat News Release - www.scblueheat.com
Monday, July 18, 2011
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Knowing that a win or a tie would clinch a first place Western Conference finish, the Santa Clarita Blue Heat concluded their regular season with a scoreless tie against playoff contender Pali Blues on Sunday. The tie eliminated the Blues from a post season playoff berth.
Going into the match, Pali needed 3 points to take over first place from the Blue Heat. Had Pali prevailed, they would have knocked Santa Clarita into second place and eliminated the Vancouver Whitecaps from post-season play. By the 90th minute, both teams failed to find the net, giving the Blue Heat the point needed to end the season above both the Whitecaps and the Blues.
Both Pali and the Blue Heat battled throughout the game, with the Blues outshooting Santa Clarita 25-7. Blue Heat Goalkeeper Cynthia Jacobo had another stellar game, with 6 saves and outstanding defensive play by Brielle Slepicoff, Katie Russ, Madison VanDine and Sydney Vermillion.
“This has been a tremendous season for every one of our players,” said Head Coach Fabian Sandoval. “Given that this is only the second year of this franchise, I am proud of our team’s willingness to learn from each other, their professionalism, and ability to overcome adversity and rise up game after game. We are looking forward to playing the Whitecaps again next week – it will definitely be the game of the season with everything at stake.”
By finishing first in the W-League’s Western Conference, the Blue Heat will host the Western Conference Championship match against second place finisher Vancouver in Santa Clarita next Sunday at a date, time and venue to be determined.