Sky Blue FC’s 3-0 win over Seattle Reign on Sunday night featured four yellow cards, a red card, a wrist injury, the debut of a new goalkeeper and a penalty save in an eventful game. Seattle’s hesitancy on the ball resulted in few opportunities for Sky Blue, and ultimately cost them the match. Sky Blue managed to find the back of the net on three separate occasions, with Lisa De Vanna, Sophie Schmidt and late substitute Taylor Lytle scoring the goals.
Seattle Reign vs. Sky Blue FC: Final Score 0-3, red card helps to sink Seattle
The Seattle Reign’s hesitancy on the ball prevented them from threatening Sky Blue’s early lead. Seattle’s aggressive play left them at a disadvantage as their defender was ejected from the game in the 61st minute providing SBFC with an opportunity to extend their lead.
Cameron Spencer
Sunday night’s game did not favor the home team, who played with 10 players for nearly 30 minutes. On several occasions in the second half, they were aggressively fouled by SBFC and had their attacks stonewalled. In addition, Seattle had to alter their starting XI. Haley Kopmeyer debuted in place of Michelle Betos and midfielder Kaylyn Kyle relocated to the back line to fill the void left by sidelined defender Kate Deines.
The opening goal was scored by De Vanna in the 10th minute. Caitlin Foord made a powerful run to the edge of the box and threaded a pass to De Vanna, who was able to convert on a low strike to the far post. Kelley O’Hara nearly doubled the lead in the 15th minute, but Kopmeyer was able to make a save.
Seattle held their own until the 61st minute, when Jenny Ruiz picked up a second yellow card for taking down De Vanna in the box. Kopmeyer saved the ensuing penalty, but it was only a matter of time before Sky Blue added to their lead. Ruiz had played a vital role in stifling Sky Blue’s attack, but with her influence gone, SBFC was able to regain control of the match and notch two more goals late in the second half.
O’Hara won a free kick outside the box in the 77th minute after colliding with Keelin Winters. Sophie Schmidt stepped up and curled her free kick into the back of the net to extend Sky Blue’s lead. The third goal of the night came from Lytle, who was subbed into the match following Brittany Bock’s wrist injury in the 70th minute. Lytle pounced on an O’Hara header into the box and chipped over Kopmeyer to extend the lead to 3-0 in the 85th minute.
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