Santa Clarita Blue Heat finally wore down FC Buffalo’s women to end the blue and gold’s 2024 season and national title dreams as the Wolves fell 2-0 in Friday evening’s second UWS national semifinal match at Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium.
Santa Clarita will seeks its third national championship when it meets New England Mutiny at All-High on Saturday. Kickoff is at 7pm and tickets are available here.
In the first 45 minutes of this evening’s semifinal doubleheader, both teams went scoreless despite Blue Heat creating opportunities through the talented Mckenna Whitham and maintaining most of the possession.
Just like in their 2-2 draw with Steel City, Brigid Mulholland saved her team from going down a goal early in the game. In the 26th minute, she prevented a Blue Heat breakaway from Whitham.
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Blue Heat had multiple golden opportunities in the second half to take the lead. In the 67 minute, Whitham and Tatum Wynalda both hit the left post within 3 seconds of each other.
In the 69th minute, Mulholland stopped another breakaway from Whitman, but after eight minutes, Blue Heat’s teenage sensation would finally get on the score sheet as she slotted the ball into Mulholland’s left side of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Blue Heat doubled their lead in the 81st minute with a corner kick. Kaylin Raibon headed the ball into the net to sentence the game and FCB’s season.
The loss gives Nikki Bartholomew’s squad a final record of 6-2-1.
SC Blue Heat have a chance to win their third-ever UWS National Championship tomorrow evening as they take on New England Mutiny following their 5-0 win over Michigan Jaguars earlier in today’s semifinal doubleheader.
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