In the final meeting of the season for the two Colorado teams, Lisa Kosena-Forbes turned a Rebekah Patrick pass into the game’s only goal in the 47th minute.

In goal, Kristin Salminen registered three saves as she picked up the shutout. Megan McCain had one save in taking the loss for the Rush.

With the victory at Loveland Sports Park, the Colorado Force moved to 3-7-1 (10 points), while the Rush dropped to 6-5-3 (21 points).

Next Up: Now the Force goes on a swing through the Pacific Northwest. They face Victoria on Wednesday night in British Columbia, followed by Vancouver on Friday, before wrapping up with Seattle on Sunday.

The loss dropped the Force to 1-3-1, 4 points, on the season and left the team in seventh place in the eight-team Western Conference. Vancouver improved to 6-1-1, 19 points, and briefly pulled even with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at the top of the conference.

Jenna Richardson, making her debut for the Whitecaps, scored both goals for the visitors.

Vancouver applied pressure early and nearly scored in the 2nd minute when Tiffany Weimer, the Whitecaps’ leading scorer, shot wide after beating Force goalkeeper Hannah Clark. In the 32nd minute Richardson, an Oregon State University product, didn’t miss on her opportunity when her shot deflected off the inside of the right post and into the goal. Weimer assisted on the goal.

Richardson made it 2-0 in the 47th minute—again off a Weimer ball—and Vancouver continued to control momentum well into the second half. Unofficially, the Whitecaps racked up 13 shots before Colorado’s first.

The home side rallied late, starting with Samantha Pena’s scoring chance in the 74th minute. Pena beat Vancouver keeper Jaclyn Dunnett but couldn’t convert on the opportunity. Moments later Colorado’s Britany Garret came close again to close a flurry of offensive momentum. The match ended with Vancouver holding a 13-5 edge in shots.

The Force will look to bounce back at 1 p.m. Sunday when it returns to Loveland Sports Park to host the Seattle Sounders on Father’s Day. Vancouver continues its Colorado visit with a 1:30 p.m. match against the Colorado Rush at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch. The Sounders fell to the Rush 1-0 on Friday night.

With the 0-0 result, the Force moves to 1-1-1 in the W-League’s Western Conference, while unbeaten Pali stands at 3-0-3. The Force returns to action at 7 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Santa Clarita at the University of Northern Jackson Field complex in Greeley. Pali continues its Front Range road swing on Saturday when it meets Rush in Denver.

In the 82nd minute, Force forward Carly Bolyard nearly provided the go-ahead score when she slipped behind the Pali defense for a one-one-one opportunity against Blues keeper Anna Maria Picarelli Bolyard received a through ball from Samantha Pena, and found herself in front of onrushing Picarelli. Bolyard had enough time to attempt to attempt an off-balance shot with her left foot, but Picarelli made the stop.

Moments later, Pali created a scoring chance in the 90th minute that Colorado repelled to preserve the draw.
The tie with Pali, which won back-to-back W-League titles in 2008 and 2009 and appears to be a contender again this year, is an early-season milestone for Colorado, said Force coach Tracy Chao.

“This was a very good soccer game,” Chao said. “It was a very good test for us, and what’s going to define our season, as far as the level our players can play at. I was very proud of our team and all the individual efforts out there.”

While both sides created a handful of scoring opportunities, including a string of corner kick chances for Pali in the first half, defense ruled. Picarelli, starting in her fourth match for the Blues, posted her third shutout and lowered her goal-against-average to 0.250. Force keeper Hannah Clark kept a season-long clean sheet, with two shutouts in her two starts. Force defender Kristen DeDycker, who anchored Colorado’s backline, was named Woman of the Match.

Reflective of the scoreboard, the teams matched shots on goal with seven apiece. However, Pali took eight corner kicks to just two for Colorado. Picarelli made three saves for Pali and Clark stopped six shots for Colorado.

The win pulls Colorado even for the season at 1-1 in the W-League, heading to a Thursday match against the unbeaten Pali Blues, 3-0-2. Pali holds a 2-1 victory over Victoria earlier this season. The Colorado-Pali match is set for 7 p.m. at Loveland Sports Park.

Sunday’s match in Loveland was played in temperatures that soared past 90 degrees, and unfolded slowly as the Force and Highlanders played to a scoreless halftime draw. But within minutes of the intermission, Colorado pressed the action.

In the 48th minute, Colorado earned a free kick just outside the penalty area when a Victoria defender brought down Force midfielder Alex Cousins.

Lisa Kosena Forbes slipped a pass laterally to Rebekah Patrick. Patrick rifled a shot from behind the 20-yard-line that slammed against the side of the goal frame and bounced in for a 1-0 Colorado lead.

Colorado added to the advantage in the 64th minute, when Danielle Birdsall beat her defender and took a shot on Victoria keeper Stephanie Parker. Parker deflected the ball, but Birdsall tracked down the rebound and scored.

The Force finished off the scoring in the 73rd minute when Lexi Tagen delivered a well-placed ball from the right side of the midfield to Carly Bolyard, who found the back of the net.

Force ‘keeper Hannah Clark made six saves.

Colorado outshot Victoria 19-9, including a 14-6 advantage in the second half. The Force also took six corner kicks to just one for the Highlanders.

Victoria fell to 0-7 with the loss and 0-2 on its road swing on the Front Range. Colorado will visit Victoria on July 13 as part of a three-match trip to the Pacific Northwest.

The Force, making one of two appearances this season at Jackson Field in Greeley, were stung in the first half when Los Angeles forward Cherelle Khassal registered the game’s only goal. Khassal struck for the winner in the 31st minute of play. She found herself with a one-on-one opportunity against Force ‘keeper Kirstin Salminen after a teammate delivered a well-placed pass through the middle of the defense.

Colorado (0-1), which features just two members back from last season’s side, will have two weeks to regroup for its next match. The Force will return to its regular home pitch at Loveland Sports Park when it hosts the Victoria Highlanders at 1 p.m. on June 5, the first of five consecutive home matches in June.

While Los Angeles (2-1) won the statistical battle, recording 11 shots to just four for the Force, the match was largely played in the midfield.

The Force raised the pressure late, creating scoring opportunities in the 75th minute and the 83rd minute. In the 75th minute, midfield Erin Gunther sent a crossing ball into the box. Two Force players lunged to head the ball, but it was pushed away by L.A. ‘keeper Erin Frushon. And Frushon made a stout save in the 83rd minute when Lisa Kosena Forbes fired a left footed shot from just outside the penalty area.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will host the Force’s match vs. the expansion Colorado Rush, kicking off at 4 p.m. The game will precede the match between the Rapids and New England Revolution, which will kick off at 7 p.m.

“The Women’s Soccer Celebration has continued to be a highlight of our home schedule since we opened Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007,” said Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush. “Through our relationship with the Force, we have the opportunity to present fans the best the game has to offer at both the men’s and women’s professional levels in Colorado.”

The women’s soccer celebration was designed to raise awareness of women’s sports and role models, to promote healthy lifestyles, and unite Colorado soccer fans.

Between the games, members of the Force and Rush will conduct an interactive soccer clinic and Camp Bow Wow’s Bow Wow Buddies Foundation will present “Air Bud” the wildly popular star of the movies, for an autograph session, both for young players under 18. 

Amy Snider, co-founder of the Force, calls the event an opportunity to bring the state’s soccer fans together.

“The Rapids continue to provide great leadership for Colorado Soccer by highlighting the women’s game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It will be great to showcase the talent of Colorado’s two top women’s teams at this year’s Women’s Soccer Celebration,” Snider said. “The event will be especially fun for kids as they get to meet the players after the game, meet dog soccer superstar Air Bud, and support the efforts of Camp Bow Wow’s Bow Wow Buddies Foundation in the fight against Canine Cancer.”

 CBW Founder Heidi Ganahl said: “At CBWs Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, we are committed to helping the CSU Animal Cancer Center cure canine cancer.  We are so excited to partner with the Force to raise awareness among children and soccer fans, and show them how they can be a part of the canine cancer cure!”

Tickets for the 2010 Women’s Soccer Celebration start at $16. One ticket will get fans into both matches that night. Tickets are available for purchase at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Box Office, via phone by calling TicketHorse at 1-866-461-6556, at the kiosks at any Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods location, or online at www.ColoradoRapids.com or www.forcesoccer.org.  

Fans interested participating in the clinic and autograph session may purchase tickets to that for an additional $25 from www.forcesoccer.org.

Assistant Coach Tony Anglin was promoted to head coach of the Colorado Force. (Photo Courtesy Colorado Force)

Tony Anglin didn’t stay an assistant coach for long.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Force announced that Anglin would take over as head coach, replacing Craig Deacon.

“I am absolutely honored and delighted to be asked to head up the coaching staff and to succeed Craig Deacon as head coach of the Colorado Force,” Anglin said. “Having worked with the organization and especially (Force owner) Amy Snider over last three months, I have grown to be very passionate about where we can take the organization both on and off the field in the near future and in the long term.”

Anglin’s Credentials: A native of England, Anglin was the W-League Coach of the Year in 2008 when he led the Atlanta Silverbacks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was also head coach for the Chicago Red Eleven in 2009, taking that side to the playoffs.

Anglin’s coaching background dates to 1991, when he served as coach and youth development officer for Burnham FC in England. He played for 19 years at the professional and semi-professional levels in England before entering the coaching ranks. Anglin recently coached at the W-League Scouting Combine, where W-League players were evaluated by the Women’s Professional Soccer league. That’s where Anglin met Deacon, leading to Deacon’s decision to recruit Anglin to the Force coaching staff.

“He is a tremendous coach,” said Deacon, who stepped down after six seasons. “He has a wealth of experience and history within the women’s game and the Force is very lucky to obtain his services.” 

Departure Prompt: Deacon said he opted to turn over the Force reins to Anglin so he could focus on his multiple other soccer-related roles, including technical director for the new Colorado Storm Academy FC division, coaching for the Colorado Rapids Academy, and ownership of the Fort Collins-based Core Soccer Academy.

 ”I want to be able to focus more on some of my businesses and programs, which was part of why I recruited Tony,” Deacon said. “That was the vision of bringing Tony here. I will continue to be around, but I need to pass it on to someone who will be able to give it the necessary time it needs.”

Deacon’s six seasons with the Force included a playoff appearance in 2009. Three of Deacon’s Force players from the 2009 squad were also drafted into the WPS before this season.

 ”We have been very fortunate to have excellent coaching for the Force over the past six years with Craig; his influence on the program has resulted in a playoff-level team,” said Force owner Snider. “He (Anglin) brings this experience to our organization and will take the team to a new level of competition and professionalism.  We are very fortunate to have him.  He has a long-term vision for the women’s game, he’s a great collaborator, and we’re very excited for the opportunities he will create for our players.”

The Colorado Rush fell behind early and rallied on two second-half goals to earn a point on the road. The Colorado Force took a 1-0 lead into halftime before surrending two second-half goals and falling on the road.

Battling Back: With 1,682 looking on in Vancouver, B.C., the hometown Whitecaps took a 2-0 first half lead on goals from Melissa Tancredi in the 12th minute and Jodi-Ann Robinson in the 30th.

The Rush roared back in the second half as Shu-o Tseng scored a brace, finding goals in the 48th and 51st minutes. Neither side was able to find a third goal as the two teams settled for the 2-2 draw.

With the tie, the Rush remain undefeated at 2-0-4 (10 points), good for second place in the Western Conference. Vancouver tops the conference at 5-0-3 (18 points).

Road Woes: Meanwhile, the Force fell to the host Santa Clarita Blue Heat 2-1.

The loss dropped Colorado’s record to 1-3-4, leaving the side with seven points in the Western Conference. For Santa Clarita, 1-4-1, it was a historic first-ever victory in its inaugural W-League season. Santa Clarita also found revenge for its 2-0 loss to Colorado the previous Saturday at Loveland Sports Park.

Colorado scored late in the first half when midfielder Erin Walter struck from just outside the penalty area, sending a shot into the top right hand corner of the goal. It was Walter’s second goal in two games after she scored Thursday night against the Pali Blues.

Next Up: The Force and the Rush return to the Front Range for back-to-back games. The Force and Rush meet at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Englewood High School, then finish the regular season at 7 p.m. on July 12 at Loveland Sports Park.

The Californians, undefeated since joining the league in 2008, improved to 28-0-3 in the W-League with a 3-1 victory at Loveland Sports Park.

Midfielder Lisa Kosena provided the early spark for the Force and a crowd of 475 with the opening goal. Her teammates, especially goalkeeper Lauren Robertson with seven saves, made the lead hold up for the next hour. Then the floodgates opened as Pali’s Ali Hawkins scored in the 65th minute. The tie was short lived, as Toney Dani added a brace with goals in the 72nd and 83rd minutes.

The loss dropped the Force to 0-2-3 (3 points). Pali Blues improved to 2-0-0 (6 points) and leads the Western Conference.

Push Pause: The Force, which has played five games this season, is now off until June 26. The team faces Santa Clarita at 7 p.m. June 26 at Loveland Sports Park.

Pali’s Next: The Blues continue play in Colorado at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Colorado Rush at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field No. 24. The Rush is off to a 0-0-2 start in the team’s inaugural season.

While many of the names have changed from last year’s championship side, the new names are equally impressive for Pali, which won its season opener Saturday over Santa Clarita, 1-0. Pali has restocked with a long list of international stars, including national team players from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Japan, as well as former Los Angeles Sol WPS defender–and team captain–Christie Shaner.

Through its first 30 matches, Pali has amassed a record of 27-0-3. One of those ties came in Pali’s last visit to Colorado in June 2009. The two sides also met in the first round of the W-League playoffs last July, when the Force nearly broke the streak, leading 2-1 with less than 20 minutes to go. But Pali surged late on its home pitch to win 5-2.

Pali’s lineup this season includes Finnish National Team defender Tuija Hyyrynen and Belgian National Team forward Janice Cayman, both of whom play at Florida State University. Members of Denmark’s National Team include midfielders Cathrine Paaske-Sørensen and Julie Rydahl Bukh, both of whom played with the Australian W-League champion Sydney FC last season. Also, the Blues will arrive with members of Japan national team program, including Emi Yamamoto and Hikari Nakade. Yamamoto played on Japan’s senior team in the 2003 World Cup, while Nakade played for Japan in the 2008 U-20 World Cup.

Holdovers from the 2009 championship who are expected to travel to Colorado include goalkeeper Adelaide Gay and midfielder Ella Stephan, who is a teammate of Hyyrynen and Cayman at Florida State. Pali continues to be coached by Charlie Naimo, who has headed the club throughout the unbeaten streak.

The Force will look to counter Pali’s star power with a side that’s poised to break into the win column after three ties and one narrow loss on the road. At 0-1-3, a win over Pali would position the Force for another playoff run midway into the season, and cause the rest of the W-League to take notice.

Meanwhile, the Force will be rolling its own brigade of international players, including Jamaican midfielders Yolanda Hamilton and Hishamar Falconer, defenders Zoe Avner from France and Anne Houliston from Scotland, goalkeeper Maria Del Guercio from Canada, and midfielder Taylor Patterson from Canada.

Defense has become the watchword early in the season, and the Force has put together a scoreless stretch going back to the 11th minute of the June 4 match against Seattle. After Seattle got up 2-0 early in that match, the Force – backed by goalkeeper Lauren “Taz” Robertson – has held opponents scoreless for 169 minutes.

Colorado is coming off of a rugged 0-0 draw against Vancouver on Sunday night. For Force fans, Thursday’s match is the last chance to see the Force until late June. Colorado will be off until June 26, when it hosts Santa Clarita. Tickets are available at www.forcesoccer.org or at the gate. Family passes are $19 for two adults and two children.