NWSL Sky Blue FC

Sky Blue FC Edged out 1-0 to Washington Spirit in Front of Sellout Crowd

Published on July 25, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Piscataway, N.J. - In front of a sellout crowd of 5,003 at Yurcak Field, Sky Blue FC (2-9-2, 8 points) fall 1-0 to the Washington Spirit after a second half goal was scored by Forward Ashley Hatch in the 53rd minute.

The Spirit came out in control for the first half controlling 63.5% of the possession. Their first opportunity came in the 2nd minute when Spirit midfielder Jordan DiBiasi attempted to put a deflection on frame but was blocked by defender Estelle Johnson. The deflection fell to Forward Rose Lavelle, who skied the shot over the crossbar.

Washington had another chance in the 6th minute when Forward Ashley Hatch played in Lavelle on the left side of the box, who cut back and ripped a shot only to be blocked by Johnson. The deflection fell to Hatch, who fired off a shot and was blocked by defender Erica Skroski.

Sky Blue's first chance on goal came in the 14th minute from the buildup started by Carli Lloyd. Lloyd ran down the left side of the field, cut back to her right, and sent a cross over to Raquel Rodriguez at the top of the box. With space running at her defender, Rodriguez cut left and fired a shot off just over the crossbar.

Kailen Sheridan was called into action in the 21st minute after Spirit forward Mallory Pugh lofted a ball over the backline towards the far-left post where Lavelle was making a run. With a tight angle, Lavelle sent the shot in but what kicked saved by Sheridan.

In the 26th minute, Johnson was able to cut off a pass and send it up the field to Rodriguez on the right flank, who sent in a low cross towards goal but was cleared out by Spirit defender Paige Nielsen.

Washington came close to goal in the 35th minute as Spirit defender Tori Huster sent a ball up the sideline to Pugh and she cut back towards goal, sending a low curling shot just wide of the left post.

The last attempt for Sky Blue in the first half came stoppage time as Lloyd played in Paige Monaghan towards the left side of the box. Monaghan passed the ball into Imani Dorsey in front of goal, who turned and ripped a shot but was blocked by Huster.

The second half of play had very few chances on goal for Sky Blue, with the Spirit holding 64 percent possession. Washington's lone goal came in the 54th minute as Hatch sprinted at goal and sent a low shot in at the far-right corner.

Sky Blue FC will be on the road for their next three games as they face the Houston Dash in Houston on Sunday, July 28th at 7 p.m. ET, then travel to Portland to play the Thorns on Saturday, August 3rd at 11 p.m. ET, and finish off in Utah on Wednesday, August 7th at 10 p.m. ET. Sky Blue will be back home at Yurcak Field to host the Chicago Red Stars for the club's Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 14th at 7 p.m. ET.

Saker ShopRite Woman of the Match: Carli Lloyd

NWSL Match Report

Match: Sky Blue vs. Washington Spirit

Date: July 24, 2019

Venue: Yurcak Field, Piscataway, N.J.

Attendance: 5,003

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 80s

Scoring Summary:

1 2 F

NJ 0 0 0

WAS 0 1 1

WAS - Ashley Hatch - 53'

Lineups:

NJ: 1-Kailen Sheridan, 3-Caprice Dydasco , 8-Erica Skroski, 12-Gina Lewandowski, 24-Estelle Johnson, 5-Julie James Doyle, 11-Raquel Rodriguez (7-Jen Hoy,79'), 16-Sarah Killion, 4-Pagie Monaghan (19-Elizabeth Eddy, 57'), 10-Carli Lloyd (c), 28-Imani Dorsey

Subs not used: 13- Didi Haracic, 15-Kaylan Marckese, 9-Nahomi Kawasumi, 14-Kenie Wright, 29-Amandine Pierre-Louis

Interim Associate Head Coaches: Christiane Lessa & Hugo Macedo

WAS: 1-Aubrey Bledsoe, 23-Tori Huster, 3-Sam Staab, 14-Paige Nielsen, 7-Amy Harrison (19-Dorian Bailey, 66'), 4-Jordan DiBiasi (20-Cheya Matthews, 71'), 12-Andi Sullivan (c), 10-Rose Lavelle, 33-Ashley Hatch, 11-Mallory Pugh, 6-Chloe Logarzo (28-Elise Kellond-Knight, 66')

Subs not used: 30-Shae Yanez, 2-Arielle Ship, 8-Meggie Dougherty-Howard, 13-Bayley Feist

Head Coach: Riche Burke

Stats Summary: NJ / WAS

Possession: 36.2% / 63.8%

Shots: 6 / 17

Shots on Goal: 2 / 3

Saves: 2 / 2

Corner Kicks: 3 / 6

Fouls: 9 / 8

Offside: 4 / 1

Misconduct Summary:

NJ: Julie James Doyle (caution, 50')

WAS: Tori Huster (caution, 90+2')

Officials:

Referee: Jasmine Peralta

Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner

Assistant Referee 2: Casie Anderson

Fourth Official: Dave Breckner

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