Reply to comment

June 28th -- It was 11 days since the last time that Sky Blue FC played, but Sunday’s clash with the St. Louis Athletica was one of pure dominance. Unfortunately, the final result before 3,256 fans didn’t pan out the way the host team wanted in keeping pace to make the playoffs.

At the 84th minute, Elise Webber of Athletica chipped a shot over the head of Sky Blue FC keeper Jenni Branam to the far post, for the tie-breaking goal in a stunning 2-1 victory at Yurcak Field.

“This loss, it is going to sting,” said Sky Blue FC head coach Kelly Lindsey. “Our team did a great job possessing the ball and we were able to handle and manage the situations well. . . . we created enough chances to win but didn’t put it away.”

Saint Louis (5-5-2) led 1-0 from the opening minutes. Forward Eniola Anoka took a pass from midfielder Lori Chalupny behind the Sky Blue FC defense and flipped the shot in the left corner of the net past Branam. It took until the 76th minute for Sky Blue (3-6-3) to even the score. Heather O’Reilly chipped a pass in the box to Natasha Kai, whose scramble with Athletica’s Tina Ellertson pushed the ball loose to Julianne Sitch. Sitch drilled a shot to the left post, past Athletica goalkeeper Hope Solo for the goal.

Sky Blue had some great scoring opportunities in the first half. Kai blocked a clearance by Solo, but Solo was able to recover in time to make the save against Kacey White’s shot on goal. Megan Schnur went just over the bar from 25 yards out in the 21st minute. In the 40th, Keeley Dowling sent a crossing pass from the right to Rosana, whose diving header just sailed over the goal. In the 44th minute, White and O’Reilly combined on a give-and-go with O’Reilly’s shot in the box stuffed by Solo.

The second half was dominated on the offensive end by Sky Blue. O’Reilly had two more big scoring chances: in the 70th minute, her shot was tipped over the bar by Solo, and in the 74th minute, she hit a volley that just missed inside the left post.

Overall the home team outshot the visitors 21-6, and had eight corner kicks on the evening. Solo was the key in the game, recording five saves on the night. “Hope had a great game. It is tough to beat her,” said Lindsey. “This is why she is one of the best in the world.”