Pali Blues News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com

Thursday, March 27, 2008

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA -- The Pali Blues Soccer Club made official today the acquisitions of defenders Beth McNamara and Sasha Andrews. The duo joins the Blues in the Pacific Palisades with a combined three USL W-League championships already in their trophy cases.

McNamara played for Blues head coach Charlie Naimo for three seasons with the New Jersey Wildcats, winning a league championship in 2005. Over the period of their time together, they also won an additional regular season championship and were crowned the 2005 North American champions. The 2006 All-USL Eastern Conference Defender was instrumental for Naimo in a Wildcat team that amassed an astounding 41-1 regular season record over three years.

She also made three appearances with the Philadelphia Charge of the Women’s United Soccer Association before beginning her W-League career with the Boston Renegades in 2003. The four-year starter at James Madison University was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection and was named James Madison’s 2003 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“It is great to be reunited with Beth,” Naimo stated. “We had a lot of success together back in New Jersey, and I hope that we can do the same here. With her experience, she will adapt quickly to our staff when she arrives and will certainly be able to lead others.”

Andrews brings to the Blues a pair of W-League championships, both with the Vancouver Whitecaps (2004, 2006). In her college career, the 2004 W-League Defender of the Year had two solid seasons with the University of Nebraska after transferring from Southern Methodist University. Following her sophomore season with the Cornhuskers in 2004, she was named to the All-Central Region First Team, All-Big 12 First Team and the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team. The 2003 World Cup participant also brings valuable international experience to the Blues via the Canadian National Team. The Edmonton native began her global play with the Canadian U-19 and U-21 National Teams before playing with the full national team. She scored her first goal with the senior national team on September 4, 2003, against Mexico.

“Sasha did a fantastic job with us in our Vegas event, and she is another great addition to our team,” Naimo commented. “We posted five shutouts in six games on the way to the championship. I always respected Sasha’s presence, but after spending time with her last month, I have great appreciation for how well she was able to adapt to our style of play.”

The Pali Blues Soccer Club will open their preseason slate this Saturday, March 29, when they travel to play USC in a 12:00 p.m. match up. The Blues will play the first game of their inaugural USL W-League regular season on the road against the Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, May 10. The following weekend, the Blues will play their inaugural home contest at the “Stadium by the Sea” when they host the Los Angeles Legends on Saturday, May 17. Tickets for home match ups are only $10 for adults ($8 with student ID) and $5 for kids under the age of 12.