Kerr Records 16th Goal of the Season in 5th Minute; Sheridan Records 3rd Shutout in Net
Sky Blue FC (9-9-2, 29 points) returned to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Saturday, blanking the Boston Breakers (3-10-7, 16 points) at Yurcak Field, 1-0. Scoring the lone tally in the match was Sam Kerr, with goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan registering her third shutout of the season in net. The goal by Kerr was her 16th of the year, placing her level with Kim Little’s all-time NWSL single-season record (2014).
“It has been incredible to watch this team grow,” said Sheridan after the match. “Everybody has really been stepping up in their different roles, and it all came out in tonight’s performance. We deserved this win, and I am so happy to see us playing to our potential. We put in the work and brought it tonight. This was truly us.”
Sky Blue FC got on the board in the 5th minute of this match-up, making good on a sequence that started with Nikki Stanton gathering possession in her defensive half. After she saw Boston netminder Abby Smith playing aggressively off her line, Stanton took advantage by sending a lofting ball to the feet of a racing Kerr. The feed was perfectly delivered for Kerr, who sped past Smith before easily tapping the ball into the open net.
Following that opening score, both sides held their ground defensively, and the 1-0 mark remained when the whistle was blown for halftime.
Sky Blue FC continued to press offensively in the second half, with good movement in the midfield creating chances in front of goal. On one such play in the 68th minute, Daphne Corboz sent a ball towards the left side of the area, where Kerr collected before redirecting a shot that grazed the outside of the far post.
The shutout this evening did not come without Sheridan having to make some big saves, including a critical one in the 87th minute. On that play, Brooke Elby played Midge Purce on the right side of the penalty area, where Purce pulled back the feed before chipping a left-footed try that Sheridan punched away with a diving stop.
When all was said and done, the 1-0 tally was still on the scoreboard, and Sky Blue FC found itself with a second consecutive win and three points that raised its season total to 29.
Sky Blue FC hits the road next weekend to face FC Kansas City on Sunday, September 3. The team will return home to New Jersey on Sunday, September 10, hosting the Washington Spirit for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff at Yurcak Field in Piscataway. Individual tickets for that match are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).
For all of the latest news on Sky Blue FC, visit the team online and follow us on social media: @SkyBlueFC
NWSL Match Report
Match: Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers
Date: August 26, 2017
Venue: Yurcak Field; Piscataway, New Jersey
Attendance: 2,244
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary:
BOS: 0 | 0 – 0
NJ: 1 | 0 – 1
5 NJ Sam Kerr (Nikki Stanton)
Lineups:
NJ: Sheridan, Skroski, Freeman, Richardson, Mills (O’Hara-59), Lytle, Stanton, Killion, Corboz (Hayes-87), Kerr, Tiernan (Meehan-74)
Subs not used: Casey, Rodriguez
Game Day Coach: David Hodgson
BOS: Smith, Purce, King, Oyster, Chapman, Salem, Weimer (Andrews-57), White, Leon (Elby-70), Stengel (Dowie-77), Onumonu
Subs Not Used: Prudhomme, Frisbie, Lavelle
Head Coach: Matt Beard
Stats Summary: NJ / BOS
Shots: 12 / 12
Saves: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 4
Offside: 4 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
57 NJ Nikki Stanton (Yellow Card)
60 BOS Adriana Leon (Yellow Card)
90 BOS Julie King (Yellow Card)
Officials:
Referee: Christina Unkel
Assistant Referee 1: Amanda Ross
Assistant Referee 2: Trent Vanhaitsma
Fourth Official: Joe Zawistowski
Saker ShopRites Woman of the Match: Kailen Sheridan
