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FC Gold Pride Sneak By Sky Blue FC 1-0
For the second time in less than a month, FC Gold Pride and Sky Blue FC battled it out on the pitch. Though the first match ended in a 1-1 draw, this time around FC Gold Pride narrowly edged out their opponents to earn a 1-0 victory at home
May 4, 2009 11:32:43 AM
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Coming into this game, FC Gold Pride were looking to bounce back after a painful injury time loss in last Sunday’s intense match up with the Washington Freedom. Meanwhile, Sky Blue FC hoped to get their first win of the season.
FC Gold Pride coach Albertin Montoya made three changes to last week’s line up, bringing on Carrie Dew, Formiga, and Christine Sinclair. On the other side, Sky Blue FC coach Ian Sawyers made two changes, starting Jenni Branam in goal and Christie Rampone in defense.
First Half
The first real scoring chance of the match came in the 10th minute. FC Gold Pride defender Kandace Wilson latched onto a loose ball on the right side of midfield, and drove forward into the backline. She did well to maintain possession even after going to ground, and slotted a neat pass into the right corner to forward Christine Sinclair. Sinclair crossed the ball in front of the goal to meet Tiffeny Milbrett at the far post. Milbrett got a foot on it but sliced her shot wide left.
Seconds later FC Gold Pride’s Tiffany Weimer sent another cross into the box. Milbrett headed dangerously toward goal but the ball crashed off the post.
At the other end of the pitch, Sky Blue FC had trouble breaking through their opponent’s defense until the 21st minute. Forward Heather O’Reilly carried the ball up the left, passed it to teammate Julianne Sitch, who then crossed into the box. Forward Sarah Walsh jumped for the ball and sent a strong header toward goal. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart positioned herself well to catch it.
Three minutes later, Formiga won the ball in midfield and passed it up the left to Milbrett. Though surrounded by three midfielders, Milbrett kept close control of the ball, dribbled clear, and got off a shot. She sent it just wide into the outside netting.
Sky Blue FC came close again on the half hour mark. Forward Yael Averbuch took advantage of some defensive hesitation and won the ball at the top of the 18-yard box. She quickly whirled toward goal and fired a hard shot low to the left corner. Barnhart made a great reflexive save, diving to ground and just managing to get her outstretched fingertips on the ball to send it out of play.
.
The most dramatic moment of the first half came in the 38th minute.
Weimer dribbled the ball into the box after receiving a long pass from Leslie Osborne. She squeezed between Sky Blue FC center backs Anita Asante and Christie Rampone, and tried to dribble through to goal. Rampone fouled her, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Weimer stepped up to take the penalty kick, and hit a weak shot to the lower left corner. Goalkeeper Jenni Branam guessed the correct direction to dive and made a comfortable save.
The last chance of the first half came in the 45th minute, when midfielder Collette McCallum took a free kick for Sky Blue FC. Averbuch got on the end of it and fired a shot, which was deflected. The ball fell into Walsh’s path, with an open goal in front of her. Walsh just needed to tap it in, but instead hit the left post.
The first half ended 0-0. Each side came close to scoring, with FC Gold Pride creating the most opportunities, but neither team was able to finish.
Second Half
Three minutes into the second half, FC Gold Pride had a very good look at goal when defender Kristen Graczyk sent a long ball deep into the other side of the field.
Milbrett received the ball, sent her defender the wrong way, and passed outside left. Sinclair was there to pick up the pass and fire toward goal. Sinclair’s first shot deflected straight back to her. She tried again, this time striking hard to the lower right corner, which forced a diving save from the ‘keeper.
In the 59th minute, Sky Blue FC defender Keeley Dowling passed a high ball into the box from the right side, and found substitute Natasha Kai unmarked in the center. Kai jumped and got her head on it, but sent it just over the crossbar.
In the 72nd minute, FC Gold Pride’s Formiga passed from the middle to substitute Leigh Ann Robinson on the outside left. Robinson cut it back to Weimer at the top of the eighteen-yard box, who then sent it out right to substitute Eriko. The Japanese international dragged her shot just wide of the left post.
FC Gold Pride kept up the pressure, with Robinson involved again in the 83rd minute. She dribbled from the left side into the center of the field, then passed the ball out to defender Kandace Wilson on the right. Wilson charged into the box and took a powerful shot, forcing a save from Branam.
Bringing huge cheers from the home crowd, FC Gold Pride finally broke the stalemate in the 86th minute. The play started with midfield battler Formiga. She won the ball in the middle of the field and passed it up to substitute Adriane at the top of the eighteen-yard box. Adriane saw Robinson making the run on the right, and sent a precise pass into her path. Robinson wasted little time in driving a low powerful shot to the left corner. Goalkeeper Branam attempted a diving save but came up short.
As the final whistle drew near, both teams kept up the pressure, Sky Blue FC looking for an equalizer and FC Gold Pride trying to hang on for the win.
In the end, FC Gold Pride prevailed, earning a valuable three points, plus a clean sheet for Barnhart. Coach Montoya got his tactics right this week, with the defense looking very organized, and two of his substitutes involved in the only goal of the match.
FC Gold Pride (2-2-1) are in fourth place on the league table, and will look to move up in the standings next week. They go on the road to face winless Saint Louis Athletica on Saturday.
Sky Blue FC (0-2-2), languishing on the bottom on the league table, will still be looking for their first win next week on the road against the Chicago Red Stars.
Jennifer Dawson, Goal.com
FC Gold Pride coach Albertin Montoya made three changes to last week’s line up, bringing on Carrie Dew, Formiga, and Christine Sinclair. On the other side, Sky Blue FC coach Ian Sawyers made two changes, starting Jenni Branam in goal and Christie Rampone in defense.
First Half
The first real scoring chance of the match came in the 10th minute. FC Gold Pride defender Kandace Wilson latched onto a loose ball on the right side of midfield, and drove forward into the backline. She did well to maintain possession even after going to ground, and slotted a neat pass into the right corner to forward Christine Sinclair. Sinclair crossed the ball in front of the goal to meet Tiffeny Milbrett at the far post. Milbrett got a foot on it but sliced her shot wide left.
Seconds later FC Gold Pride’s Tiffany Weimer sent another cross into the box. Milbrett headed dangerously toward goal but the ball crashed off the post.
At the other end of the pitch, Sky Blue FC had trouble breaking through their opponent’s defense until the 21st minute. Forward Heather O’Reilly carried the ball up the left, passed it to teammate Julianne Sitch, who then crossed into the box. Forward Sarah Walsh jumped for the ball and sent a strong header toward goal. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart positioned herself well to catch it.
Three minutes later, Formiga won the ball in midfield and passed it up the left to Milbrett. Though surrounded by three midfielders, Milbrett kept close control of the ball, dribbled clear, and got off a shot. She sent it just wide into the outside netting.
Sky Blue FC came close again on the half hour mark. Forward Yael Averbuch took advantage of some defensive hesitation and won the ball at the top of the 18-yard box. She quickly whirled toward goal and fired a hard shot low to the left corner. Barnhart made a great reflexive save, diving to ground and just managing to get her outstretched fingertips on the ball to send it out of play.
.
The most dramatic moment of the first half came in the 38th minute.
Weimer dribbled the ball into the box after receiving a long pass from Leslie Osborne. She squeezed between Sky Blue FC center backs Anita Asante and Christie Rampone, and tried to dribble through to goal. Rampone fouled her, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Weimer stepped up to take the penalty kick, and hit a weak shot to the lower left corner. Goalkeeper Jenni Branam guessed the correct direction to dive and made a comfortable save.
The last chance of the first half came in the 45th minute, when midfielder Collette McCallum took a free kick for Sky Blue FC. Averbuch got on the end of it and fired a shot, which was deflected. The ball fell into Walsh’s path, with an open goal in front of her. Walsh just needed to tap it in, but instead hit the left post.
The first half ended 0-0. Each side came close to scoring, with FC Gold Pride creating the most opportunities, but neither team was able to finish.
Second Half
Three minutes into the second half, FC Gold Pride had a very good look at goal when defender Kristen Graczyk sent a long ball deep into the other side of the field.
Milbrett received the ball, sent her defender the wrong way, and passed outside left. Sinclair was there to pick up the pass and fire toward goal. Sinclair’s first shot deflected straight back to her. She tried again, this time striking hard to the lower right corner, which forced a diving save from the ‘keeper.
In the 59th minute, Sky Blue FC defender Keeley Dowling passed a high ball into the box from the right side, and found substitute Natasha Kai unmarked in the center. Kai jumped and got her head on it, but sent it just over the crossbar.
In the 72nd minute, FC Gold Pride’s Formiga passed from the middle to substitute Leigh Ann Robinson on the outside left. Robinson cut it back to Weimer at the top of the eighteen-yard box, who then sent it out right to substitute Eriko. The Japanese international dragged her shot just wide of the left post.
FC Gold Pride kept up the pressure, with Robinson involved again in the 83rd minute. She dribbled from the left side into the center of the field, then passed the ball out to defender Kandace Wilson on the right. Wilson charged into the box and took a powerful shot, forcing a save from Branam.
Bringing huge cheers from the home crowd, FC Gold Pride finally broke the stalemate in the 86th minute. The play started with midfield battler Formiga. She won the ball in the middle of the field and passed it up to substitute Adriane at the top of the eighteen-yard box. Adriane saw Robinson making the run on the right, and sent a precise pass into her path. Robinson wasted little time in driving a low powerful shot to the left corner. Goalkeeper Branam attempted a diving save but came up short.
As the final whistle drew near, both teams kept up the pressure, Sky Blue FC looking for an equalizer and FC Gold Pride trying to hang on for the win.
In the end, FC Gold Pride prevailed, earning a valuable three points, plus a clean sheet for Barnhart. Coach Montoya got his tactics right this week, with the defense looking very organized, and two of his substitutes involved in the only goal of the match.
FC Gold Pride (2-2-1) are in fourth place on the league table, and will look to move up in the standings next week. They go on the road to face winless Saint Louis Athletica on Saturday.
Sky Blue FC (0-2-2), languishing on the bottom on the league table, will still be looking for their first win next week on the road against the Chicago Red Stars.
Jennifer Dawson, Goal.com
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