Sky Blue FC fell to 0-1-1 with its loss to the Boston Breakers. (Sky Blue FC Photo by Mike Gridley, ISI Photos)
ALLSTON, Mass. – Sky Blue FC is still looking for its first win of the season.
The Jersey soccer club dropped a 1-0 decision to the Boston Breakers at Jordan Field Sunday.
Sky Blue FC (0-1-1, 1 point) was held scoreless for the first time in 13 matches, ending a streak that dated back to a 0-0 draw with Seattle Reign FC to last June.
Forward Natasha Dowie scored the lone goal of the National Women’s Soccer League match in the 37th minute.
“Today’s performance was very disappointing,” Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly said. “We knew there would be some ups and downs at the start of the season, but this entire squad is capable of playing far more consistently than what we saw today. We will get right back to work this week and address these issues to ensure that we are ready for FC Kansas City in our home opener.”
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Sky Blue FC was presented with an early opportunity in the fourth minute as U.S. international Kelley O’Hara raced down the right flank with possession before crossing into the area to English striker Leah Galton just beyond the far post. She centered a header for forward Sam Kerr, whose shot just high of the mark.
Another chance was created in the 14th minute as an O’Hara corner kick was delivered to the front of the goal. Kerr put a hard header on frame that forced a save by goalkeeper Abby Smith.
Sky Blue FC saw another good opportunity in the 22nd minute. Defender Kayla Mills served into the box, where a strike from Kerr was countered by another Smith save.
A minute later, Smith again came up big after Hofstra University graduate Leah Galton put a cross from the left flank onto the far post. O’Hara redirected a strong header on frame that Smith punched over the crossbar.
The Breakers rewarded Smith in the 37th minute. Midfielder Rose Lavelle made a run before feeding a through-ball to Dowie as she ran into the right side of the penalty area. Played into a 1 v 1 with goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, Dowie fired home for the goal.
“It just felt good,” Dowie said. “It was a great crowd. I was pleased to obviously get the goal. Credit to Sky Blue, they are a very good team with talented players and had a good result last week. It was a massive three points for us. It gives us a bit of confidence. It takes us off the bottom of the table, and hopefully we can continue against Seattle Reign.”
The pace slowed offensively for Sky Blue FC in the second half, with Sheridan coming up big on several occasions. The first came via a kick save in the 58th minute. Sheridan finished with five saves.
“We said before the game we wanted to make this a difficult place for teams to come. We got a talented group here. We showed a different side to our game today. I thought we were better defensively. We weren’t as open,” Breakers head coach Matt Beard said. “We’ve put a lot of work in this week on making sure the shape should be what it is because it wasn’t in Kansas City. I’m pleased. We want to pick up as many points at home as we can.”
Also of note in today’s contest was the professional debut of former Rutgers standout Madison Tiernan, who came onto the pitch for Galton in the 70th minute. In its opening two games, Sky Blue FC has seen the NWSL debuts of five players.
Following back-to-back road matches to start the season, Sky Blue FC will return to New Jersey next Sunday to host FC Kansas City in its home opener at Yurcak Field.
Scoring Summary:
37′ – BOS Natasha Dowie (Rose Lavelle)
Lineups:
NJ: Sheridan, Skroski, Freeman, Pearce, Mills (Hayes-63), Galton (Tiernan-70), Killion, Rodriguez (Corboz-54), Lytle, O’Hara, Kerr
Subs not used: Casey, Stanton, Simon, Meehan
Head Coach: Christy Holly
BOS: Smith, King, Oyster, Westphal, Chapman, Salem, Lavelle (Andrews-82), White, Leon (Da Costa-75), Dowie, Weimer (Purce-64)
Subs Not Used: Prudhomme, Elby, Strom, Onumonu
Head Coach: Matt Beard
Stats Summary: BOS / NJ
Shots: 11 / 12
Saves: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 4 / 6
Fouls: 7 / 11
Offside: 3 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
86′- BOS Angela Salem (Yellow Card)
Officials:
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
Assistant Referee 1: Benjamin Wooten
Assistant Referee 2: Tom Felice
Fourth Official: Michael Dee
Saker ShopRites Woman of the Match: Sarah Killion
