Blue Heat Make History!
Khassal Scores First Goal For Expansion Team

The Santa Clarita Blue Heat made some team history on Saturday night at College of the Canyons in Valencia.
Playing just their third game ever in W-League play, the expansion team scored its first goal and tied the Seattle Sounders Women 1-1 to earn the team’s first point in league play.

 “It’s the first goal and the first point - it’s a good step forward,” said Blue Heat head coach Eduardo “Lalo” Zatarain.
Trailing the Sounders 1-0, Blue Heat forward Cherelle Khassal took a cross from Katie Tarrant in the 68th minute and buried it in the back of the net for the 1-1 equalizer.

Khassal, who had three shots in the game, said the goal gives the team confidence moving forward.
“We’ve got a goal now, so we know how to play together,” Khassal said. “Hopefully next game, we’ll win. “
Tarrant came off the bench in the 64th minute and quickly made an impact, winning balls and creating scoring opportunities for her team.

“I just wanted to come in and make a difference,” Tarrant said. “You know, not starting definitely helps get you motivated.”

The Blue Heat (0-2-1) fell behind 1-0 in the 19th minute after some miscommunication in the midfield resulted in an errant pass that Seattle’s Claire Morgan sent to teammate Megan Miller for the goal.
Both teams struggled to capitalize on chances to score throughout the game, with the Sounders (0-0-5) taking 18 shots in the match, while the Blue Heat took eight shots.

Seattle head coach Leighton O'Brien said his team should have had more goals.
“You have to put away your chances, O’Brien said. “We’re up 1-0 and it could have been three.”
While he was happy to tie on the road, this is now the third time that the Sounders have given up the lead in a game, O’Brien said.

“You let a team hang around and its trouble, especially on the road. Lesson learned once again for us.”
Zatarain said his team needed to settle down during the game.

“The team needs to be more relaxed when it’s time to pass and when it’s time to shoot,” Zatarain said. “There were a couple of players taking shots too far away. They could have gone another 10, 15 yards closer and then taken a shot.”

Blue Heat goalie Erin Frushon made 11 saves in the game, while Seattle goalkeeper Katie Hultin made one save.
The Blue Heat plays its next two games in Colorado, taking on the Rush on June 24 and the Force on June 26.

By Debby von Winckelmann - Check out Debby's Article at LA Women's Sports Examiner CLICK HERE