Sky Blue Kicks Off Season with a Win over Boston
Domenique Esposito leads Sky Blue
Robyn McNeil
While Jersey Sky Blue may have a number of new players on the roster for the 2008 W-League season, the second-year franchise has one thing in common with last year’s side – solid defense.
Sky Blue picked up where it left off in its season opener today with a 1-0 shutout victory over the Boston Renegades at Bowditch Stadium. Yolanda Odenyo provided Jersey with the only goal it needed in the closing minutes of the first half. In the 2007 season, Sky Blue led the W-League with just six goals allowed in 14 regular season games.
In addition to a number of new players to the Sky Blue squad, the victory marked the debut of new Head Coach Denise Reddy. A successful coach on the youth level, last year’s Sky Blue assistant coach notched her first career head coaching victory on the senior level.
“I’m very proud of our girls’ effort today – we knew the first game of the season against Boston would be a battle,” Reddy said. “We’re still in the process of getting to know each other so it was pleasing to see such a solid, committed performance. We’re all excited to open with a win.”
Jillian Loyden recorded the shutout in the Sky Blue goal with four saves as Jersey held a 13-9 advantage in shots. Sky Blue had a number of opportunities to boost the score but Renegades keeper Meghan Burke had a strong game with nine saves including multiple stops from point-blank range.
Boston’s best chance of the game came 10 minutes in thanks to the playmaking of Jamie Craft, who carried the ball up the right side. She slid the ball across the goalmouth to Katie Bethke but her shot was stuffed by Loyden, who made her toughest save of the game.
Sky Blue had the better of the play in the first half and was unlucky not to break through earlier. Burke kicked away a shot from Daniela Molina in the 20th minute before the crossbar saved the Renegades one minute later. Erica Stewart served the ball in from the left and Domenique Esposito ran on and beat Burke with a header only to see the ball bound straight down off the bar and stop a foot off the goal line.
In the 23rd minute, Bonnie Young just missed off a Stacey Stocco corner kick. Odenyo redirected the ball to the far post where Young’s left-footed blast was blocked at the near post.
The visitors finally broke through with 3:24 remaining on the clock before halftime thanks to a great ball behind the back by Esposito. Stocco ran behind alone on the right and drew Burke to the near post before slipping a pass into the middle for Odenyo to bury into the open net from seven yards out.
Boston came out strong to start the second half but it was Sky Blue that got the first good chance in the 51st minute. Odenyo ended up along the left endline and tried to blast the ball in from a sharp angle but Burke stuffed her two times. Just 20 seconds later, Boston countered and Craft got in behind but skied her shot over the bar.
Burke once again came through to stop Sky Blue’s best chance to put the game away in the 74th minute. Odenyo fought off a defender on the right and slotted the ball for Esposito but the Renegades keeper flew across to stuff her first-time attempt.
Burke dove to stop Sky Blue substitute Kelly Eagan’s effort from distance in the 85th minute before Loyden easily handled Laura Robinson’s long blast in stoppage time to close out the game.
Sky Blue returns to action next Saturday when it travels to New Haven, CT to face the Connecticut Passion at Yale University. Sky Blue kicks off its home slate on May 31st when it hosts Boston in the return leg at 7:30 p.m. at Drew University in Madison, NJ. Ticket information is available on the Sky Blue Soccer website at www.SkyBlueSoccer.com.
|
May 10, 2008 - Bowditch Stadium |
1 |
2 |
- |
F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Sky Blue (1-0) | 1 | 0 | - | 1 |
| Boston Renegades (0-1) | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
LINEUPS
JERSEY SKY BLUE: Jillian Loyden, Bonnie Young, Jaime Komar, Fanta Cooper, Allie Hambleton, Erica Stewart, Stacey Stocco (Lisa Chinn 72), Ashlyn Brantley (Kelly Eagan 56), Yolanda Odenyo (Amélie Mercier 80), Domenique Esposito, Daniela Molina (Michele O'Brien 59).
BOSTON RENEGADES: Meghan Burke, Rachel Lim, Danielle Kot, Ella Stephan, Rachel Smith (Stephanie Gilkinson 45), Jamie Craft, Allison Martino, Laura Robinson, Lauren MacIver, Ashlee Pistorius (Marcy Gans 68), Katie Bethke.
GOALS
JSB: Odenyo (Stocco) 43rd minute
STATISTICS
SHOTS
JSB: 13; BR: 9
SAVES
JSB: Loyden 4; BR: Burke 9
FOULS
JSB: 8; BR: 9
OFFSIDES
JSB: 0; BR: 1
CORNERS
JSB: 1; BR: 3
GAME INFO
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
None
REFEREE
Sin Hang Lai
ASSISTANTS
Teresa Miguel
Cornlieu Ilea
ATTENDANCE
333