Sky Blue FC and Boston Breakers Settle for 1-1 Draw

The Sky Blue FC (1-3-3, 6 points) failed to maintain their early advantage on the road against the Boston Breakers (2-3-1, 7 points) on Friday night, as a clutch second half equalizer forced the teams to settle for a 1-1 draw.

“It is a disappointing result,” said Jim Gabarra, Sky Blue FC Head Coach. “Over our last two games, we have squandered an awful lot of goal scoring chances. We really should have left these past two games with six points. One point is just not good enough.”

Although the team has played arguably its best two games, the New Jersey side has failed to gain those much needed three points in either contest.

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Sky Blue FC opened the scoring in the 8^th minute on a play that started off an interception by forward Nadia Nadim on the right flank of the midfield. Once the Danish striker turned upfield, she saw a racing Katy Freels in the center of the attack and quickly sent a hard roller to her in space. Freels then took a couple of touches before launching a left-footed rocket beyond the reach of Breakers netminder Jami Kranich, giving the visitors an early 1-0 advantage. It was another demonstration of the chemistry that has formed between Nadim and Freels, as both are not only adept scorers, but adept at anticipating what the other is going to do and setting the ball at the pivotal moment.

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Unlike in previous games, the New Jersey side continued to control the majority of possession during the first half, creating some dangerous opportunities that nearly stretched its lead to multiple goals. However, Boston was able to keep the Nadim & co. scoreless for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes.

The Breakers eventually equalized in this contest in the 60^th minute. On the play, Boston defender Lauren Lazo sent service into the penalty area from the right flank, where goalkeeper Brittany Cameron attempted to the air to punch away the cross. Unfortunately for Sky Blue FC, the ball landed at the feet of Breakers rookie striker Stephanie McCaffrey, who was able to deposit into the far side of the net to make it a level 1-1 game.