Pali Drops Season-Opener to LA Strikers

Pacific Palisades, Calif. (May 18, 2013) - The Pali Blues dropped the 2013 W-League season-opener to the LA Strikers on Saturday, May 18. Jamie Bell and Leandra Walker scored on goal each to start the Strikers with three points. The Strikers came out strong earning their first big opportunity in the ninth minute when forward Ann Tangorra fired a shot from inside the penalty box. Blues goalkeeper Anna Picarelli was unsettled and rose to the challenge to keep the Strikers at zero Three minutes later, it was Vitoria Boardman with a hard shot on target from outside the box. Picarelli made the initial block, and then grabbed the rebound before the Strikers could capitalize. The Strikers finally got on the board in the 25th minute when Kristy Krohn fed a ball through to Jamie Bell, who faced Picarelli and beat her with a shot the far post. The Blues had their first real chance in the 31st minute off a corner kick. It was defender Sasha Andrews who found the ball at the back post and just missed the header by a few inches. The Blues had one more opportunity to equalize, but Megan Borman could not get a good shot off as Ryan Torrero was coming in to close her angle. Instead, the ball rolled away and out of bounds. The Blues opened the second half with another opportunity off a corner kick. Andrews hit a downward header that almost bounced into the goal but Torrero got a hand on it to keep it out. The defense then cleared it away at the line. Neither team created major plays until the 83th minute when Picarelli made two huge consecutive saves to keep prevent the Strikers from extending their lead. The game started getting physical thereafter as the Blues fought for the equalizer. The Strikers then scored another one in the 89th minute. Leandra Walker unleashed what looked like an attempt to cross the ball, but instead it sailed towards the top left corner of the goal and bounced in off the inside of the post ending the game 2-0. The Blues will travel to the Bay Area to take on the Breeze on May 31st. They will return home to host the Colorado Rapids on Thursday, June 6 at Occidental College. Fans can purchase tickets at bluessoccerclub.com/tickets.