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NWSL Sky Blue FC

Sky Blue FC Edged by Houston in Home Opener

April 20, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Howell, N.J. - Sky Blue FC opened up their home campaign with a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dash in Saturday night's match up.

Sky Blue FC (0-2-0) started the match off full speed as they put pressure on the Houston backline forcing turnovers before the Dash were able to make their way up the pitch. In the 16th minute Kailen Sheridan was called into action early when Dash forward Veronica Latsko slipped in a ball to Lindsay Agnew creating a one on one chance at goal. Sheridan held her ground and stuffed Agnew's shot to keep the scoresheet blank.

The first chance of the night for Sky Blue FC came in the 26th minute off a buildup in Houston's final third as Sarah Killion played a ball into Carli Lloyd, who was immediately pushed to the ground and awarded a penalty kick. Lloyd stepped up to the spot, but the shot went off the left post.

Houston wasn't letting off the gas in the first half as they fired off shots at Sheridan. In the 20th minute Dash defender Lindsay Agnew sent a rocket towards the upper right corner but wasn't able to beat the diving Sheridan.

The last chance for Sky Blue in the first half was a scramble in the box that put the ball at the feet of Nahomi Kawasumi. Kawasumi collected the ball under pressure and put it on frame but the ball was cleared off the line by the Dash.

Sheridan was put to the test again in the second half as the ball was bouncing in the box and collected by Dash forward Rachel Daly. Daly attempted to send the ball into the back of the net but was denied by the out stretched foot of Sheridan and cleared off the line by Kawasumi.

Intensity picked up as fresh legs were subbed into the match. In the 64th minute Paige Monaghan came off the bench and linked up with Imani Dorsey multiple times, creating a few corner kicks to threaten the Dash backline.

Houston was able to slot one home in the 83rd minute coming from the foot of Sofia Huerta. The original chance on goal was created by Daly who tried to chip Sheridan who was denied by her quick reflexes. The deflection ended up going to Huerta who put the Dash up 1-0.

"It was a good step forward for the team technically and mentally. Tactically, I think the biggest thing for us is not taking a step back, making sure we push every week to go forward," said Sky Blue Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. "I think that's going to be the best thing for us right now, it's really important that we don't go backwards. We are on a good momentum and it's the beginning of the season. Time to just push forward, full steam ahead."

Sky Blue FC returns home on Sunday, April 28, (6 p.m. ET) to face the Portland Thorns. Tickets to all Sky Blue FC home games can be purchased by calling 888-SBFC-TIX or by visiting www.skybluefc.com.

Saker's ShopRite Woman of the Match: Kailen Sheridan

NWSL Match Report

Match: Sky Blue FC vs. Houston Dash

Date: April 20, 2019

Venue: Yurcak Field

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET

Attendance: 1,394

Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary:

1 2 F

NJ. 0 0 0

HOU 0 1 0

HOU - Sofia Huerta - 83'

Lineups:

SBFC: 1-Kailen Sheridan, 3-Caprice Dydasco, 17-Domi Richardson, 24-Estelle Johnson, 8-Erica Skroski, 9-Naho Kawasumi (McKenzie Meehan, 85), 11-Raquel Rodriguez, 16-Sarah Killion (C), 28-Imani Dorsey, 10-Carli Lloyd, 7-Jen Hoy (Paige Monaghan, 64)

Subs not used: 13-Didi Haracic, 29-Amandine Pierre-Louis, 5-Julie James, 14-Kenie Wright

Head Coach: Denise Reddy

HOU: 1-Jane Campbell, 20-Lindsay Agnew (Kristie Mewis, 62), 5-Clare Polkinghorne, 22-Amber Brooks (C), 4-Allysha Chapman, 10-Christine Nairn, 13-Sophie Schmidt (Jamia Fields, 63), 11-Sofia Huerta, 14-Nichelle Prince, 3-Rachel Daly, 12-Veronica Latsko (Haley Hanson, 75)

Subs not used: 30-Bianca Henninger, 21-Taylor Comeau, 2-Ari Romero, 17-Kyah Simon

Head Coach: James Clarkson

Stats Summary: NJ / HOU

Shots: 8 / 19

Shots on Goal: 1 / 11

Saves: 10 / 1

Corner Kicks: 3 / 8

Fouls: 8 / 10

Offside: 0 / 5

Misconduct Summary:

NJ: - Carli Lloyd (caution, 80')

HOU: - Lindsay Agnew (caution, 49')

Officials:

Referee: Danielle Chesky

Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo

Assistant Referee 2: Amilcar Sicaju

Fourth Official: Bardhyl Pashaj

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