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Late Goals Spark Sky Blue To 2-1 Win In WPS Playoff Action
Second-half subs Natasha Kai and Francielle tally to lead Sky Blue FC to a 2-1 win over the Washington Freedom and the WPS Super Semifinal.
Aug 15, 2009 9:12:14 PM
BOYDS, Md. – Natasha Kai and Francielle tallied second-half goals to lead Sky Blue FC to a 2-1 win over the Washington Freedom. In their fourth meeting Sky Blue FC finally got a win over the Washington Freedom. And the win takes them all the way to the WPS Super Semifinal Wednesday at Saint Louis Athletica (7:00 p.m. ET).
At game time, the temperature was hovering around 92 degrees. But regardless the game went on. Neither team found the net in the first half. But it didn’t take long for things to heat up on the pitch in the second half. Kai entered the match in the 54th minute and one minute later Kacey White found an open Kai, who put the visitors on the board for a 1-0 lead.
“I knew I needed to come in and help the team out and give that extra fire, that spark,” Kai said. “I don’t know if Kacey was trying to shoot it or if it was more like a half cross. It had a weird spin to it and I knew Cat (Whitehill) had no idea I was behind her. I knew that if I beat her to the ball it was an easy goal for me.”
In the 78th minute, Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach challenged Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam. The duo collided in the air, leaving a loose ball. Lisa De Vanna collected the ball and finished it, tying the match at 1-1.
But in the 84th minute, Francielle, also a second-half substitute, beat a Freedom defender and fired a shot into the net for a 2-1 lead.
“After our goal, I really felt like the team settled in and even though they scored, I still felt pretty confident in the team,” Sky Blue interim head coach Christie Rampone said. “A couple minutes after the goal they had a little momentum but we got it back. They left Fran wide open and she hit a good shot and we finished out better than we normally do.”
Saint Louis finished the season in second place. They’ve been a tough opponent all season for Sky Blue FC. The clubs met three times with Saint Louis earning three wins. Wednesday’s Super Semifinal winner will advance to the WPS Championship Saturday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. ET vs. the Los Angeles Sol.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
At game time, the temperature was hovering around 92 degrees. But regardless the game went on. Neither team found the net in the first half. But it didn’t take long for things to heat up on the pitch in the second half. Kai entered the match in the 54th minute and one minute later Kacey White found an open Kai, who put the visitors on the board for a 1-0 lead.
“I knew I needed to come in and help the team out and give that extra fire, that spark,” Kai said. “I don’t know if Kacey was trying to shoot it or if it was more like a half cross. It had a weird spin to it and I knew Cat (Whitehill) had no idea I was behind her. I knew that if I beat her to the ball it was an easy goal for me.”
In the 78th minute, Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach challenged Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam. The duo collided in the air, leaving a loose ball. Lisa De Vanna collected the ball and finished it, tying the match at 1-1.
But in the 84th minute, Francielle, also a second-half substitute, beat a Freedom defender and fired a shot into the net for a 2-1 lead.
“After our goal, I really felt like the team settled in and even though they scored, I still felt pretty confident in the team,” Sky Blue interim head coach Christie Rampone said. “A couple minutes after the goal they had a little momentum but we got it back. They left Fran wide open and she hit a good shot and we finished out better than we normally do.”
Saint Louis finished the season in second place. They’ve been a tough opponent all season for Sky Blue FC. The clubs met three times with Saint Louis earning three wins. Wednesday’s Super Semifinal winner will advance to the WPS Championship Saturday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. ET vs. the Los Angeles Sol.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
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