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Sky Blue FC 1-0 Philadelphia Independence: Defending Champs Get Back In Playoff Hunt
The defending champs jump back into a tie for fourth in the WPS table with its strong performance on Sunday night.
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sky Blue FC is used to this kind of pressure. Everyone saw last year as the team gutted its way into the postseason and beat "superior" teams en route to its championship. It's the same old story this season.
On the outside looking in to begin the weekend, Sky Blue FC needed a win against the second-place Philadelphia Independence. They did just that, sending the 2,572 fans -- amid torrential rainstorms -- at Yurcak Field home with a strong 1-0 win.
There was over a 90-minute delay in the action after lightning struck in the 17th minute of play. When the match resumed, neither side took an edge, going into the half scoreless.
In the tightly-contested battle, Philadelphia -- who had beaten Sky Blue FC three times previously -- couldn't figure out Jenni Branam and the Sky Blue FC defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Jersey girls weren't having much more luck. But in the 60th minute, Heather O'Reilly chipped a ball from just outside the box into Yael Averbuch. Averbuch one-timed a shot into the corner of the goal, beating keeper Karina LeBlanc for the only score of the match.
Philadelphia was able to mount a few chances, but Branam was behind every ball, including a diving save on Tina DiMartino in the 80th minute. It was arguably Branam's best match since returning as the starting keeper for Sky Blue.
With the loss, Philadelphia no longer has a shot at the top spot in WPS (FC Gold Pride clinched that with its 3-2 win over Chicago on Sunday). However, the expansion Independence (10-7-4, 34 points) still hold a five-point lead over third-place Boston with a few weeks left in the season. Those two sides meet up next Sunday at John A. Farrell Stadium in West Chester, Penn.
Sky Blue FC (7-9-4, 25 points) tied Washington for the fourth and final playoff spot, and has a game in hand on the Freedom. Those two clubs meet up next Saturday at Maryland SoccerPlex.
On the outside looking in to begin the weekend, Sky Blue FC needed a win against the second-place Philadelphia Independence. They did just that, sending the 2,572 fans -- amid torrential rainstorms -- at Yurcak Field home with a strong 1-0 win.
There was over a 90-minute delay in the action after lightning struck in the 17th minute of play. When the match resumed, neither side took an edge, going into the half scoreless.
In the tightly-contested battle, Philadelphia -- who had beaten Sky Blue FC three times previously -- couldn't figure out Jenni Branam and the Sky Blue FC defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Jersey girls weren't having much more luck. But in the 60th minute, Heather O'Reilly chipped a ball from just outside the box into Yael Averbuch. Averbuch one-timed a shot into the corner of the goal, beating keeper Karina LeBlanc for the only score of the match.
Philadelphia was able to mount a few chances, but Branam was behind every ball, including a diving save on Tina DiMartino in the 80th minute. It was arguably Branam's best match since returning as the starting keeper for Sky Blue.
With the loss, Philadelphia no longer has a shot at the top spot in WPS (FC Gold Pride clinched that with its 3-2 win over Chicago on Sunday). However, the expansion Independence (10-7-4, 34 points) still hold a five-point lead over third-place Boston with a few weeks left in the season. Those two sides meet up next Sunday at John A. Farrell Stadium in West Chester, Penn.
Sky Blue FC (7-9-4, 25 points) tied Washington for the fourth and final playoff spot, and has a game in hand on the Freedom. Those two clubs meet up next Saturday at Maryland SoccerPlex.
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