WPS Sky Blue FC

Nogueira Named WPS Player of the Week

Published on June 30, 2011 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Somerset, N.J. (Thursday, June 30, 2011) - After an extremely impactful performance and incredible game-winning goal that elevated Sky Blue FC (3-3-3, 12 points) past the Atlanta Beat this past week, 1-0, forward Casey Nogueira has been named the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Player of the Week. This marks the second time a Sky Blue FC player has been given this weekly league honor in 2011, with midfielder Allie Long receiving the award following the opening weekend of play in April.

"Going into the season, we thought it was going to be a breakout year for Casey," Sky Blue FC head coach Jim Gabarra stated. "She has that special quality where she can create something that can decide the game for us, and she has done it a few times already this year with goals and serves off corner kicks. She is a very impactful player, and she has certainly helped us with our results in quite a few games."

Nogueira caused problems for the Beat defense throughout the 90 minutes of action in the meeting of those two sides on Wednesday, June 22nd, and her most shining moment came in the 26th minute of the match. After an Atlanta clearance resulted in a corner kick, the two-time NCAA Player of the Year stepped over the ball on the right side of the field. After hitting a strike with the outside of her right foot, she put just enough English on the attempt that the ball bent back towards the frame and sailed over the head of Beat goalkeeper Allison Whitworth. That single notch would prove to be the difference in the contest, extending a Sky Blue FC franchise record unbeaten streak to five games, also keeping the team unblemished in five matches at home during the 2011 season.

"Casey's goal combined with the team's defensive commitment provided us the vital three points against Atlanta," Gabarra continued. "Basically, that game decided our season series with them as far as tiebreakers are concerned. We now have two wins against Atlanta, and that is the last time we see them this year."

After a bye this weekend, Sky Blue FC returns to action for a road pairing with the Philadelphia Independence on Wednesday, July 6th. The team then returns home to Yurcak Field on Saturday, July 9th, to host magicJack SC at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for that match are available now, and they can be purchased by calling 888-SBFC-TIX.

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