Early O'Reilly Goal Lifts Sky Blue FC Past Breakers 1-0

Heather O’Reilly scored the game’s lone goal at the sixth minute mark to give Sky Blue FC a 1-0 win over the Boston Breakers in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) action Saturday afternoon at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.

“It was a pretty even game and we certainly had our chances,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco.  “They scored on the corner and we weren’t able to answer."

"We played hard and created chances in the second half, we just weren’t able to convert. We have to execute better next week. The effort was pretty good, we just need to be better in the final pass and the final shot.”

Boston (5-5-3, 18 points), which played for the first time in 10 days, came into the match having won back-to-back matches and were unbeaten in their last three. The loss keeps the Breakers in second place. Boston has a one-point edge over third-place Saint Louis, and a two-point lead over fourth-place Washington.

Much like the teams’ first meeting this season, Sky Blue FC got off to an early lead. O’Reilly sent a corner kick that sailed untouched directly into the net at the far post to give the hosts the 1-0 advantage. It was the first goal given up by the Breakers defense since June 17 against FC Gold Pride, a span of 261 minutes.

Sky Blue nearly added to their lead with a pair of chances in the 33rd and 35th minutes. First, Brazilian midfielder Rosana beat the offside trap, but Breakers’ keeper Ali Lipsher was able to make the stop on the one-on-one. Two minutes later, Australian midfielder Collette McCallum hit the crossbar with a curling shot.

Boston had a chance to equalize just before halftime when Angela Hucles was in on goal, but she was closed down quickly. Amy Rodriguez also was denied in the final minute when her shot on goal was saved by Jenni Branam.

Sky Blue held an 8-5 shot advantage and 4-1 edge in corners in the first half.

The Breakers had a few chances in the later stages of the match to find the equalizer. Rodriguez turned and shot to the lower right side of goal in the 73rd minute to force a diving save from Branam. A minute later, Kelly Smith sent a long distance effort toward goal that hit the side netting.

In the 80th minute, second-half substitute Jennie Nobis was played in on goal over the top of the defense, but Branam was there to make another diving stop.

The Breakers and Sky Blue FC will meet again next Sunday, July 12 at 6 p.m. in a nationally televised game on Fox Soccer Channel. The game will be the teams’ first meeting this season at Harvard Stadium.

Box Score
July 4, 2009
Yurcak Field—Piscataway, N.J.

GOALS         1   2  Total
Boston         0   0   0
Sky Blue FC  1   0   1

Scoring Summary
First Half:
1—SBFC: O’Reilly 2 (unassisted), 6th minute.

Second Half:
2—None

Stats
Total Shots: SBFC 13 BOS 12; Shots on Goal: SBFC 8 BOS 6; Saves: Jenni Branam (SBFC) 5, Alli Lipsher (BOS) 6; Corners: SBFC 5 BOS 5; Fouls: SBFC 11 BOS 6; Offsides: SBFC 7 BOS 3.

Lineups
BOSTON: Ali Lipsher; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi, Heather Mitts (Kasey Moore, 46th minute); Christine Latham (Maggie Tomecka, 79th minute), Sophia Mundy (Jennie Nobis, 67th minute), Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly; Kelly Smith, Amy Rodriguez.

SKY BLUE FC: Jenni Branam; Keeley Dowling, Anita Asante, Christie Rampone, Megan Schnur; Kelly Parker (Julianne Sitch, 58th minute), Yael Averbuch (Jen Buczkowski, 62nd minute), Rosana (Kerri Hanks, 68th minute), Collette McCallum; Kacey White, Heather O'Reilly.

Misconduct Summary                                                                                              
Cautions: None

Ejections: None.

Attendance: 1,878
Weather – 83, Partly Cloudy
Officials – R: Bryan Roslund; A1: John Schmitz; A2: Brian Dunn; FO: Danielle Magouirk.

Photo Credit: Howard C. Smith | isiphotos.ne

The previous story by Todd Civin used excerpts from a Press Release by the Boston Breakers of the WPS. Civin is a freelance writer who writes for the Bleacher Report. He can be reached for hire or comment at [e-mail].