View From The Pali, Volume Seven: Blues Drop Second Straight

What has already been a challenging year for Charlie Naimo's Pali Blues got even tougher on Friday night against the Seattle Sounders Women.

At the Starfire Sports Complex, for the first time in the club's history they are going through a losing streak, falling 3-1 to Seattle in Tukwila, Washington.

A good deal of the damage came from Kelly Irving, who scored a brace in the 53rd and 54th minutes. Tafara Pulse added a penalty kick in the 63rd minute for the Sounders.

Pali's only goal came in the 73rd minute, when Alex Morgan gave Lauren Folkes her first goal of the season.

The Sounders outshot Pali 12 to eight, while the Blues racked up 12 fouls. Kaitlyn Fraine made seven saves on goal for Pali.

Weather: Overcast   Attendance: 410 Summary:
SEA: Kelly Irving 53
SEA: Kelly Irving (Jocelyn Charette) 54
SEA: Tafara Pulse (PK) 63
PAL:Lauren Folkes (Alex Morgan) 73

Cautions
SEA: Katie Warner 38
PAL: Tiana Brockway 45
PAL: Christine Shaner 47

Ejections
None

Referees:
Erik Martes
Hilary Crisman
Rodney Scott Ray

Team Statistics

Goals Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 0 1     1   Seattle Sounders 0 3     3		Shots Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 4 4     8   Seattle Sounders 6 6     12
Saves Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 4 3     7   Seattle Sounders 3 1     4		Fouls Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 4 8     12   Seattle Sounders 4 2     6
Offsides Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 1 0     1   Seattle Sounders 3 2     5		Corners Half1 Half2 OT1 OT2 Final   Pali Blues 1 1     2   Seattle Sounders 3 4     7

Western Conference	Overall							Home					Away
	Pts	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	W	L	T	GF	GA	W	L	T	GF	GA
01. Vancouver Whitecaps	14	6	4	0	2	12	4	1	0	0	2	1	3	0	2	10	3
02. Seattle Sounders	8	7	1	1	5	9	9	1	1	1	5	5	0	0	4	4	4
03. Pali Blues	8	6	2	2	2	9	9	1	1	1	3	3	1	1	1	6	6
04. Colorado Rush	6	4	1	0	3	5	3	1	0	3	5	3	0	0	0	0	0
05. Colorado Force	3	5	0	2	3	5	8	0	1	2	3	5	0	1	1	2	3
06. Santa Clarita Blue Heat	1	4	0	3	1	1	8	0	1	1	1	5	0	2	0	0	3

With a 2-2-2 record and four matches remaining in the regular season, Pali's title defense is now on the brink of being no more. Any further defeats could jeopardize the club's chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

The Blues will travel to Macleod Athletic Park in Langley, British Columbia to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps Women on Sunday, June 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT.

Next Issue: Volume Eight, June 27, 2010