Raquel Rodriguez scored for Sky Blue FC. (Photo courtesy of Sky Blue FC)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Another game and another non-win for Sky Blue FC.
The New Jersey club remained winless in the National Women’s Soccer League season Saturday, dropping a 3-2 home decision at Yurcak Field.
Sky Blue FC (2 points) dropped to 0-3-2 this season.
“After it was 1-1, I think we had them, I think we started to high press them and have opportunity after opportunity,” Sky Blue head coach Denise Reddy siad. “It’s there for us, and we knew that to be on the front foot and attacking we are susceptible to transition, so we have to do a really good job to set and stop or take a tactical foul. We gave up a few transition situations but it’s a risk-reward for us and we didn’t capitalize on the rewards side today.”
Early on, Washington pushed high at the Sky Blue backline setting up a chance in the opening minute. In her first start of the season, goalkeeper Didi Haracic made her first save coming off the line to stop a ball played into Chloe Logarzo.
Sky Blue FC put the pressure on the Spirit, making it difficult for the visitors. The hosts fought early on for chances on goal, with one leading to a potential foul near the box, with no luck to follow. In the 20th minute, Sky Blue drew a corner kick with Savannah McCaskill sending it in to the head of Julie James landing just left of the far post.
The Spirit opened up the scoring in 22nd minute after Haracic saved the initial shot from Cheyna Matthews inside the box but Matthews collected the rebound and hit the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Sky Blue continued to pressure the Spirit defense with a strong shot from McCaskill off of the pass from Raquel Rodriguez, which was blocked by the defense. Shots came in from Sky Blue FC to take on last week’s NWSL save of the week winner, keeper Aubrey Bledsoe. Rodriguez capitalized on the selfless slip pass from McCaskill to tie it in the 32nd minute.
In the 55th minute, a counter attack off of the Sky Blue free kick put the Spirit back on top as Jordan DiBiasi scored her first NWSL goal assisted by Amy Harrison. Persisting through these goals, Sky Blue did well to maintain pressure on the Spirit backline with constant build up play near the opposition’s box. The Spirit jumped ahead again as Cheyna Matthew scored her second goal as she was slipped a ball behind the defense surrounding her in the 67th minute.
Amandine Pierre-Louis was subbed on and would prove to be vital in the attacking force of the Sky Blue attack. She sent a pinpoint cross in to the head of Imani Dorsey, who placed it in the back of the goal for the final goal.
