PISCATAWAY, N.J. (June 28, 2009) - Elise Weber scored an improbable goal in the 84th minute to allow Saint Louis Athletica to sneak out of town with a 2-1 victory over Sky Blue FC in front of 3,256 fans at Yurcak Field in Women's Professional Soccer action.Sky Blue FC held a 21-5 advantage in shots but could only muster one goal off the foot of Julianne Sitch that tied the score in the 76th minute. Eniola Aluko opened the scoring for Athletica less than two minutes into the game.
With the loss, Sky Blue FC drops to 3-6-3 for 12 points while Saint Louis improves to 5-5-2 for 17 points. Sky Blue FC returns to action on July 4 when it hosts the Boston Breakers at 4 p.m. at Yurcak Field (888-SBFC-TIX | www.skybluestore.com)
"It's very encouraging that we were able to come back as we did - I really believe in this team and I think we will still have many successes this season," said Sky Blue FC Head Coach Kelly Lindsey. "We're going to do great things this season; all we need is a little more consistency in our game to reach our goals."
Saint Louis took control early when Aluko netted her fourth goal of the season. Lori Chalupny played the ball behind and the England international barely stayed onside before rolling a shot into the lower left corner of the goal.
Sky Blue FC responded with a number of chances but couldn't find the back of the net before halftime. In the 10th minute, Natasha Kai blocked a Hope Solo clearance and Kacey White tried to chip the Athletica goalkeeper but she got back to her line in time to grab the attempt. Meghan Schnur followed in the 21st minute with a shot from 25 yards out that went over the bar.
Sky Blue FC continued to press and in the 40th minute Keeley Dowling sent a nice cross into the box from the right side that Rosana headed with force just over the goal. Four minutes later, a nice combination between Heather O'Reilly and Kacey White led O'Reilly into the box but her shot was stuffed by Solo.
In the second half, it was more chances for Sky Blue FC as O'Reilly's effort from 20 yards was tipped over the bar by Solo in the 70th minute and O'Reilly followed that with a volley that just missed the left post four minutes later.
Sky Blue FC finally broke through in the 76th minute off an extended sequence in the Athletica box. O'Reilly chipped the ball forward and Kai battled with Saint Louis defender Tina Ellertson, knocking the ball loose for Sitch to nail inside the left post.
Saint Louis stunned the crowd with the game-winner eight minutes later. Melissa Tancredi took a throw to the side of the Sky Blue FC box and Weber looped the ball high into the air and just inside the far post.
Sky Blue FC will be hosting a celebration on July 4 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the United States Women's National Team victory in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. for the Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers match.
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