Colorado Force earn first win against Blue Heat
Saturday’s match saw the Force in control of possession from the outset, although the best scoring chance in the first half didn’t occur until the 35th minute, when Force midfielder Shay Powell dribbled deep into the heart of Santa Clarita’s defense. Starting nearly 40 yards away from goal, Powell advanced to within 10 yards of the goal before taking a shot that was blocked by Blue Heat keeper Anjuli Ladron de Guevara. The rebound came to the foot of Force striker Ashlee Braam, but her attempt at a one-time strike sailed wide of the exposed net. Colorado continued to press in the second half, and finally earned dividends in the 60th minute. That’s when Rezac, a defender, found herself roughly 30 yards from goal without a defender in the vicinity. Rezac lined up a shot toward goal that glanced off the head of a Santa Clarita defender and over the head of Ladron de Guevera, who was off her line to try and snare the shot. Ladron de Guevera could only watch as the deflection sailed into the goal for a 1-0 Force lead. While Santa Clarita managed its first shot on goal in the 69th minute, the Force was constantly on the attack. Most of Colorado’s shots sailed high or wide, but Ladron de Guevera was forced to make a goal-saving dive on Lisa Kosena’s bending free kick from 22 yards out in the 71st minute. Colorado eventually converted the pressure into another goal in the 84th minute, after midfielder Taylor Patterson pushed the ball up the left side of the field and delivered a centering pass to the feet of Ehrhardt about 10 yards from goal. Ehrhardt’s initial shot was blocked by the Blue Heat defense, but the ball landed back at her feet. On the next try, she drilled the ball low past a helpless Ladron de Guevera for the goal – Ehrhardt’s team-leading third of the season. Santa Clarita plays their next two games at home at Valencia High School on July 3rd against the Colorado Force and on July 5th against the Pali Blues. Tickets are available at the box office and also at Planet Soccer. |
LOVELAND, Colorado – Second half goals from Colorado's Julie Rezac and Christie Ehrhardt, coupled with a
smothering defensive performance, lifted the Colorado Force to 2-0 victory Saturday night over
the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Loveland Sports Park. |
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