Saturday, July 19, 2014

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -  Goals from Sasha Andrews and Elizabeth Eddy gave the LA Blues a 2-1 comeback victory against the Colorado Pride and the Western Conference Championship Saturday night. LA advances to the 2014 W-League Championship next weekend at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Pride leading scorer Mallory Weber gave the visitors the lead in the 27th minute off an assist from Australian international Chloe Logarzo.

The Blues had a great opportunity to tie the game in the 43rd minute when Shawna Gordon sent a cross to the back post where Rachel Daly connected, but her header went just wide.

The Blues found the equalizer two minutes later in first-half stoppage time off a free kick following a foul on Elizabeth Eddy on the right side of the field. Gordon served in a cross toward the far post, where Andrews headed it home to send the teams into the locker-room tied 1-1.

The Blues had several opportunities to take the lead in the second half, but the game-winner came in the 57th minute when Eddy buried a shot into the lower left corner of the goal off a pass from Taylor Smith to secure the victory.

LA outshot the Pride 19-12 overall, with keeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme forced to make four saves. Britt Eckerstrom made eight saves for Pride, who reached the title game in their first W-League season.

The Blues will head to Florida where the W-League Championship will be held from July 25-27, joining the Charlotte Lady Eagles, Ottawa Fury, and Washington Spirit Reserves.