Sky Blue FC's Nogueira Corners WPS Player of the Week Honors
Published on June 30, 2011 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) News Release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 30, 2011) - Second-year forward Casey Nogueira orchestrated Sky Blue FC's attack and then scored a sensational goal in last week's victory over the Atlanta Beat, and her performance has been honored with Women's Professional Soccer's Player of the Week award.
"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 curled a corner kick over Atlanta goalkeeper Allison Whitworth's head and into the net to deliver the 1-0 triumph on July 22 that evened the New Jersey-based club's record at 3-3-3 and pushed them to fourth place in the WPS standings. She created three superb chances before the goals, sending Laura Kalmari and Allie Long through balls to test Whitworth and unleashing a shot that challenged the Beat netminder.
"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."
It's the second time Sky Blue has captured the award this season -- Long was the Week 1 winner -- and just the fourth time in three seasons. Natasha Kai won in 2009 and Karen Bardsley last year.
Prior to beginning her professional career, Nogueira attended the University of North Carolina where she helped the Tar Heels to three NCAA Division 1 College Cup Championships. The Raleigh, NC native was selected by the Los Angeles Sol in the first round (8th overall) of the 2010 WPS Draft. She joined Sky Blue FC in December of 2010, signing with the New Jersey based club as a free agent and joining fellow Tar Heels Kendall Fletcher, Tobin Heath, Allie Long and Heather O'Reilly. Including last week's game-winner, Nogueira has scored three goals so far in 2011, which matches her 2010 season total.
The WPS Player of Week is selected by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.
Week 1: Allie Long (Sky Blue FC)
Week 2: Alli Lipsher (Atlanta Beat)
Week 3: Alli Lipsher (Atlanta Beat)
Week 4: Christine Sinclair (Western New York Flash)
Week 5: Marta (Western New York Flash)
Week 6: McCall Zerboni (Western New York Flash)
Week 7: Caroline Seger (Western New York Flash)
Week 8: Abby Wambach (magicJack)
Week 9: Meghan Klingenberg (Boston Breakers)
Week 10: Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breaker)
Week 11: Casey Nogueira (Sky Blue FC)
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from June 30, 2011
- Sky Blue FC's Nogueira Corners WPS Player of the Week Honors - WPS
- Nogueira Named WPS Player of the Week - Sky Blue FC
- World Cup Q&A with the Beat's Kelly Parker - Atlanta Beat
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