The FC Sacramento Pride defeated the Monterey Blues 2-1 in their Women's Premier Soccer League opener Sunday afternoon at Oakmont High School in Roseville.  The victory capped the Pride's first match since relocating from the Manteca area.  The team will play all its home games at Oakmont.

The Pride, with seven youth players on the field, started tentatively, moving the ball well in their backfield but giving it away to the Blues in the offensive end.  However, the Pride's Jordan Carlberg of Turlock High School pounded a score into the net off a deflection by the Blues' goal keeper at the ten minute mark.

Twelve minutes later, forward Kim Hernandez took advantage of another goalie deflection, laying down a pass to Jessica Domenichelli who put the Pride up 2 –0.

The Blues gained back one goal when Erin Brunelle pushed a corner kick from Laura Schwartz into the Pride goal.  The half ended with the Pride up 2-1.

The second half, though scoreless, offered plenty of action.  The Blues moved the ball well and mounted several strong attacks on the Pride goal.  Time and again, the Pride goal keeper Jessica Sitarz turned them away.  Sitarz from CSU Stanislaus recorded seven keeper saves including several dramatic diving catches. 

The pride froze the ball for the final 6 minutes by packing everyone into its defensive end.  Despite several shot on goal, the Blues could not tie the score.

This marks the sixth year that FC Sacramento's has played in the Women's Premier Soccer League, the number one ranked women's soccer league in the U.S.  The 52 teams in the league feature notable national and international stars as well as many college standouts.  FC Sacramento, uniquely, rosters local youth talent in addition to established soccer talent. 

FC Sacramento will play Sonoma County FC SOL on Saturday May 31 at 6:00 p.m. at Oakmont.  Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Visit www.fcsacramento.org for more information.