Boston Breakers vs Sky Blue FC: Final Score 2-3, Ocampo and Freels make scoring debuts

The Boston Breakers closed in on Sky Blue FC’s early lead in the second half, but never found an equalizer. SBFC steamrolled through the Boston defense in the first half, then held on for a 3-2 victory.

Even though Boston out-shot Sky Blue in the opening half, the visitors took a 2-0 lead into halftime. They opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Lisa De Vanna guided a shot around around Ashley Phillips to find the back of the net.

Boston tried to hit back but they struggled against Sky Blue’s back line. Katie Schoepfer was the only Breaker to get shots off regularly, but she struggled to test Brittany Cameron. The visitors continued to dominate offensively and found another goal in the 26th minute, this time from Monica Ocampo. She recorded her first goal of the season and gave Sky Blue a 2-0 lead after picking up a pass from Katy Freels in the box.

Boston nearly cut the Sky Blue lead in half in the 43rd minute on a breakaway by Schoepfer. Cameron blocked her initial attempt on goal, but could not contain the ball. The loose ball rolled across the open net before Coco Goodson cleared it.

Breakers head coach Lisa Cole changed her keeper just after halftime, removing Phillips to give Alyssa Naeher her NWSL debut.

Offensively, Boston improved in the second half, doubling their shots and testing Cameron from various angles. Joanna Lohman got Boston on the board in the 60th minute after heading a cross from Julie King into the back of net. Sky Blue responded aggressively and managed to test Naeher shortly afterwards. She was forced to make a crucial diving save in the 66th minute on Taylor Lytle, but she wouldn’t be as fortunate four minutes later when Sky Blue netted the eventual game winner.

Katy Freels extended the Sky Blue lead to two goals in the 70th minute. She picked up a pass from from Danesha Adams at the top of the box before placing a powerful shot into the top corner of the net, out of reach for Naeher.

Boston responded with nail biting opportunities on goal in the closing minutes of the game that only physics could explain why the ball sailed wide of the net. Kyah Simon and Lohman were on the end of great balls but their strikes missed without testing Cameron.

After struggling to get her name on the score sheet and forcing Cameron off her line to make a save in the 87th minute, Simon finally found the back of the net in extra time off a header from a corner kick served by Schoepfer. However, it was too little, too late for Boston.