W-League's Santa Clarita Blue Heat gets first win

Blue Heat defender Brooke Beeson (center) battles with Colorado Force forward Erin Walter (left).                                                              Photo: Debby von Winckelmann

The Santa Clarita Blue Heat women’s soccer team took a giant step forward on Saturday night.

Battling back from a 1-0 halftime deficit, the Blue Heat scored two second half goals to defeat the Colorado Force 2-1 and record its first-ever win at Valencia High School.

While the team is just six games into its first season in theUnited Soccer League’s W-League, Blue Heat defender Brooke Beeson said the win was a long time coming.

"We've been so close in games and we all work so hard for each other," Beeson said. "This is a turning point."

Blue Heat head coach Eduardo Zatarain made some key changes to his defense, switching from a flat-back-4 to a sweeper and stopper. Zatarain said the change made all the difference in the game and helped the team get its first win.

Blue Heat goalkeeper Erin Frushon made 15 saves in the game.                         Photo: Debby von Winckelmann

"This win takes a lot of weight off our backs, and the girls needed it," said Blue Heat head coach Eduardo Zatarain. "We gave it everything we had."

The Blue Heat’s strong defensive effort was anchored by goalkeeper Erin Frushon, who made 15 saves in the game. Frushon downplayed her role and gave credit to her teammates.

"I will work my butt off, but it's the team working together that wins the game," Frushon said. "It was an intense game."

The Colorado Force (1-2-5) attacked often, but only managed one goal on 22 total shots.

"We had plenty of opportunities to win and we didn't capitalize," said Force head coach Craig Deacon. "When you don't capitalize, you get beat."

The Force took a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute after Erin Walter sent a hard shot above Frushon and under the crossbar.

Blue Heat forward Janet Mendez (foreground) fights off a defender.                    Photo: Debby von Winckelmann

Blue Heat forward Janet Mendez knotted the score at 1-1 in the 50th minute with an assist from Shannon Omahen,

Colorado was awarded a penalty kick in the 60th minute and had a chance to take back the lead, but Hishomar Falconer sent the ball high over the crossbar.

In the 80th minute Blue Heat forward Cherelle Khassal scored the game-winner on an assist by Tenley Garcia.

The Blue Heat (1-4-1) took eight shots in the game, with Mendez taking three shots and Khassal taking two.

Walter led the offense for the Force with six shots, followed by Yolanda Hamilton with five shots. Goalkeeper Lauren Robertson made five saves.

The Blue Heat will next host the defending USL W-League national champion Pali Blues on Monday at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.