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Sky Blue FC Scores Season High Three Goals in 3-3 Draw with Flash

July 19, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Sky Blue FC in Action
Sky Blue FC in Action
(Sky Blue FC, Credit: Robyn McNeil)

Rochester, N.Y. (Sunday, July 19, 2015) - Sky Blue FC (2-6-5, 11 points) tallied a season high three goals in a road pairing with the Western New York Flash (4-5-3, 15 points) on Sunday, playing to an eventual 3-3 draw at Sahlen's Stadium.

"I really liked the resiliency we showed today, particularly in the second half," said Jim Gabarra, Sky Blue FC Technical Director & Head Coach. "Both teams had some mental breakdowns on the goals, but I was proud of the way we played overall. We put them under a lot of pressure and created a lot of chances in both halves. It is a little disappointing to not come away with the three points, but scoring three goals on the road is very gratifying."

Western New York wasted no time in acquiring an early lead, earning a corner in the 2nd minute after forward Michelle Heyman broke down the right flank and fired a shot near post that Sky Blue FC netminder Brittany Cameron was forced to punch away. On the ensuing corner, the Sky Blue FC defense was unable to clear a dangerous ball that bounced around the penalty area and was eventually finished off by forward Jasmyne Spencer, giving the host side a 1-0 advantage.

Flash defender Jaelene Hinkle stretched the gap to 2-0 in the 25th minute of this contest. After gaining possession in the midfield, Hinkle headed towards the goal with the ball at her feet before seeing a direct pathway from outside of the penalty area. She then quickly fired a hard roller towards the goal that split three defenders and was out of the reach of a diving Cameron, placing a second tally on the scoreboard for Western New York.

Sky Blue FC was able to pull within a goal in the 39th minute, scoring on a series that started with midfielder Taylor Lytle and defender Kelley O'Hara knocking a ball around the outside of the 18-yard box. O'Hara then gained possession on top of the left side of the penalty area before seeing Danish striker Nadia Nadim making a run through the Flash back line. O'Hara then chipped a ball over the Western New York defense to Nadim, who quickly collected and fired a ball inside the right post. With the notch, the count stood at 2-1 in favor of the home side.

Western New York extended its lead to a pair of goals once again in the 50th minute. On the play, midfielder Samantha Mewis found space just outside the penalty area and hit a shot that was curling into the right upper 90, but Cameron was able to get her fingertips on the ball and redirect it from the goal. Unfortunately for Sky Blue FC, the rebound landed right at the feet of Heyman, who stepped into a hard strike that hit the back of the net to make it a 3-1 game.

This match became a one-goal contest once again in the 60th minute on a series that began in the midfield by Sky Blue FC captain Christie Rampone. The two-time FIFA Women's World Cup Champion served O'Hara on the left flank, who then raced towards the top of the penalty area. As the defense collapsed on her, O'Hara found a wide-open Katy Freels on her right. After a quick touch, Freels then hammered a hard shot that was deflected beyond the reach of Flash goalkeeper Chantel Jones.

Riding the momentum of that notch, Sky Blue FC was able to put the score line back on level terms in the 62nd minute. After earning a corner kick, Freels put a ball right across the mouth of the goal, where Rampone found herself all alone on the far post. Once the feed arrived, Rampone finished it off with her right foot to make it a 3-3 match-up.

Both teams continued to battle in pursuit of the game-winner over the final half-hour of this pairing, but the 3-3 score line would remain when the final whistle was blown.

Sky Blue FC now returns home on Saturday, July 25th, hosting the Boston Breakers for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Yurcak Field. Individual game tickets for Sky Blue FC home matches are on sale now and can be purchased online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).




Images from this story

Sky Blue FC in Action
Sky Blue FC in Action
(Robyn McNeil)		   

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 19, 2015


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