July 20, 2009
REGULAR-SEASON CHAMPS
Lady Blues blank Magic, 2-0

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- The Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues clinched the W-League regular season championship on Sunday, defeating the New York Magic, 2-0.

The win also meant that the Lady Blues completed their first regular season as a franchise undefeated at 12-0-2 and with 38 points.

Katona, N.Y. native Amand DaCosta opened the scoring for Hudson Valley in the 29th minute, beating goalkeeper Alicia Defino. After bringing down a through ball from defender Katie Kelly, DaCosta tapped the ball into the far post.

The game got physical with the Lady Blues getting most of the scoring chances. Ashleigh Gunning had two dipping shots within two minutes midway through the half that both went just over the crossbar.

Elise Fugowski also missed a chance in the 28th minute after Alicia Tirelli’s cross found her at the far post.

The Lady Blues outshot the Magic, 22-5.

Angelika Johansson sealed the game for the Lady Blues in stoppage time of the second half when she stripped the ball from a defender and buried the ball into the back of the net.

“As a staff, we knew we had the personnel, the question was do we have the personality,” he said. “How fast were [the players] going to buy into our system?" Lady Blues coach Jesse Kolmel said."How fast were they going to check their egos at the door? And they did all of that quickly. It’s awesome. I am very proud of them.”

Defender and co-captain Brittany Taylor said that nothing has really had time to sink in yet.

“The other day we sat down and looked at each other and we were like, ‘wow,’ ” she said. “We can’t really believe it. We are still in the shock phase.”

The celebrations will not last long, however, as the Lady Blues know that it is time to focus on the W-League Semifinals. As the regular season champion, the Hudson Valley receives an automatic bye to the final four of the league.

The Quickstrike Lady Blues will host that W-League Semifinal on Friday, July 31. The time of the match and opponent are not yet determined.