View from the Pali, Volume 13: Victory over Victoria

Jacob Tudela's Pali Blues were in action once again when they took on the Victoria Highlanders at the Stadium by the Sea, on the campus of Pacific Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Calif.

The result: a slight improvement in production leading to a 2-1 win.

Tiffany McCarty scored her second goal of the season off a delivery from Anisa Guajardo to make it 1-0 Pali in the 19th minute of play.

“I believe Anisa had the ball a little bit behind the half line, and I made a diagonal run and she slipped me in. I just took a couple touches, and I toe-poked it with my left foot into the left corner,” McCarty told reporters following the game.

In the 56th minute, Guajardo unleashed a 25-yard volley that eluded Highlanders goalkeeper Stephanie Parker to make it 2-0 Blues.

“I got a really well-played ball from the midfielders. I went at (a player on the other team), and then pushed (the ball) to the side with my left foot. Then I saw an opening and decided to crack it and see what happens,” Guajardo said of her first of the year.

Victoria's Elizabeth Hansen would get one back in the 61st minute, but the Highlanders would be unable to earn the equalizer.

“I think we possessed a lot better,” Guajardo added. ”We controlled the game, we were more confident with our game, especially in the last few seconds when things got a little crazy. But we looked good passing the ball around, dinking it around. A goal was inevitable, I think."

Naturally, Tudela was pleased, but continuous improvement was in order.

“I think that the girls came out and played exactly the way we wanted them to play,” Tudela said.  We created opportunities; I don’t think (Victoria) had a shot until their goal, and I’m very proud of the girls.

“I think that we definitely improved in a lot of ways (since the first game against the LA Strikers). I think that our defense was much more as one unit, and I think that we were attacking more as a team. We were getting everyone involved, and the possession was much better.”

Pali continues their home stand on Thursday, May 26, when they take on the Santa Clarita Blue Heat. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.