K Brandao returns to NJ SKYBLUE

[Frank Cunha]

Brandao returns to NJ SKY BLUE
PHOTO
United Soccer Leagues (USL)

[Frank Cunha]

Sky Blue Puts WPS Season Tickets on Sale

SOMERSET, NJ (June 5, 2008) - Sky Blue Soccer announced today that season tickets are on sale for the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season in 2009. The Sky Blue professional team will play all home games at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ.

Sky Blue will be offering four different season ticket packages for 2009:
Regular ($160)
VIP ($200)
Deluxe ($650 and includes parking permit)
On-Field ($1,250 and includes parking permit

[Frank Cunha]

Defending Champs Coming to Town, Sky Blue Hosts Freedom
BEDMINSTER, NJ (June 17, 2008) - Sky Blue Soccer will welcome the defending W-League champions to New Jersey on Wednesday night when the Washington Freedom comes to town for a regular season matchup. In a battle between two organizations involved in Women's Professional Soccer, Jersey Sky Blue will host the Freedom in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Sky Blue and the Freedom will clash at 7:30 p.m. at Drew University's Ranger Stadium in Madison, NJ.

In its first official season in the W-League, the Freedom rolled through the competition to capture the 2007 W-League Championship. Washington posted a 12-1-1 mark in the regular season to finish first in the Northeast Division with its only loss coming to Sky Blue, which finished second with a 12-2 mark.

Wednesday's matchup will be important for the playoff hopes of both teams as Washington enters in second place at 4-1-1 with 13 points. Sky Blue is not far behind at 3-1-1 for 10 points and fifth place in the Northeast Division. The Boston Renegades have the early lead in the division at 6-1 for 18 points with the top three teams in the division qualifying for the postseason. Sky Blue currently has the least number of games played of any team in the division with five.

Both the Freedom and Sky Blue are preparing for their first season in WPS, which is slated to kick off in 2009. The new women's professional league is currently set for seven teams across the country with an eighth side possible. Sky Blue Soccer and the Washington Freedom are the only organizations involved in WPS that are currently operating amateur teams for the 2008 season.

SKY BLUE WPS 2009 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE HERE!

Following its key 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Wildcats last Wednesday at Ranger Stadium, Sky Blue's game against the Connecticut Passion was postponed due to persistent lightning on Saturday night and will be rescheduled for a later date. Against the Wildcats, Sky Blue midfielder Domenique Esposito had a breakout game scoring both goals off headers as Sky Blue came from behind to claim the intrastate victory.
Northeast Division Standings
Pts
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA

Boston Renegades 18
7
6
1
0
22
3

Washington Freedom 13
6
4
1
1
14
5

Long Island Rough Riders 13
6
4
1
1
13
7

Connecticut Passion 11
7
3
2
2
11
15

Jersey Sky Blue
10
5
3
1
1
6
4

New Jersey Wildcats 7
6
2
3
1
13
13

New York Magic 3
6
0
3
3
6
12

Northern Virginia Majestics
3
6
0
3
3
8
18

Fredericksburg Lady Gunners
0
7
0
7
0
4
20


Esposito's two goals put her second on the Sky Blue scoring list behind Yolanda Odenyo, who missed the game against the Wildcats due to a strained hip flexor. Odenyo, who has played all over the field for Sky Blue but primarily up front or as a central midfielder, is doubtful against the Freedom. Sky Blue will most likely rely on the attacking tandem of Michele O'Brien and Daniela Molina, who created numerous chances against the Wildcats, with a combination of Ashlyn Brantley, Marisa Brown, and Gina DeMaio in the center of the midfield.

In the back, the combination of Kim Brandão, Fanta Cooper, Kelly Eagan, and Bonnie Young look to be setting in. In 2007, Brandão, Cooper, and Young were part of a Sky Blue defense that led the W-League allowing just six goals in 14 regular season matches. Brandão, who started every game for Sky Blue in 2007, is the most recent piece to join the back four after missing the earlier part of the season with an ankle injury. Jillian Loyden has played every minute of every game so far with a .833 goals against average and two shutouts.

The Freedom come into Wednesday night's game after struggling in recent matches. Washington went 3-1 in its first four matches with the lone loss a 1-0 setback to Boston at home. Since then, the Freedom has needed late goals against two winless teams to save results. Against the New York Magic this past Saturday, the Freedom came from behind to post a 2-1 victory when substitute Jill Gilbeau connected in the 86th minute. On Sunday, the Northern Virginia Majestics surprised the Freedom by scoring early and then holding on for a 1-1 tie as Washington once again found the back of the net in the 86th minute courtesy of a goal from substitute Tiffany McCarty.

The Freedom's roster is loaded with a plethora of potential professional players including former WUSA players Lori Lindsey, Kele Golebiowski, Emily Janss, Christie Welsh, and Casey Zimny. Washington also features a number of players with extensive United States youth national team experience including Ella Masar, Ali Andrzejewski, Sarah Huffman, Rebecca Moros, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Kati Jo Spisak. So far this season, striker Jen Parsons, who joined the team this season after a successful run with the Richmond Kickers Destiny, leads the team in scoring with three goals and four assists for 10 points while Lindsey and Welsh both have three goals and two assists for eight points.

Wednesday's game will be the last chance for Sky Blue fans to see their team at Ranger Stadium until July 9th when Sky Blue hosts the Long Island Rough Riders in the only meeting of the season between the teams. Following the match against the Freedom, Sky Blue embarks on a trek of three road games in a four-day span. Sky Blue travels to Arlington, VA to face the Northern Virginia Majestics on Saturday and then to Fredericksburg, VA to take on the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners on Sunday. The quick road stretch ends on Tuesday when Sky Blue faces the Wildcats in a rematch at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ.

Catch all the action live with audio webcasts straight from the games by visiting the Sky Blue Soccer website at SkyBlueSoccer.com. Tickets for all Sky Blue W-League home games and season tickets for next year's Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) season are available in the Sky Blue Soccer Store.

[Frank Cunha]

Walsh Heads in Only Goal as Sky Blue Slips Past Majestics
ARLINGTON, VA (June 21, 2008) - Taylor Walsh headed in a long free kick from Bonnie Young early in the second half as Jersey Sky Blue slipped past the Northern Virginia Majestics 1-0 in a W-League Northeast Division match at Washington-Lee High School. Sky Blue improved to 4-2-1 with the win while the Majestics dropped to 1-4-3.

Sky Blue returns to action tomorrow when it continues its road trip with a 6 p.m. match against the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners at Fredericksburg Academy.

Jillian Loyden came up with three saves to record her third shutout of the season. Sky Blue held a 12-6 advantage in shots.

The game-winning goal came in the 49th minute as Young sent a long free kick into the box from the midfield line. The ball took a bounce and deflected off a defender before Walsh's header slowly rolled over the line just inside the left post. The goal was the first of the season for Walsh and the assist was Young's third of the season.

The game started off well for Sky Blue as Majestics keeper Kate Milstead was forced to dive and tip wide Gina DeMaio's 30-yard free kick attempt in the third minute.

In the 34th minute, the Majestics came up with their most dangerous chance and Loyden had to touch wide a 25-yard free kick from Nataly Arias.

Just before the halftime whistle, Sky Blue seemed to have secured its first goal when Ashlyn Brantley headed in a corner kick from DeMaio, but the referee called Brantley for obstruction on Milstead to disallow the goal.

Sky Blue threatened to add to the lead in the 72nd minute when the ball fell to Walsh in the box, but the Majestics managed to stuff back-to-back shots to stay in the game. The teams traded chances late as Arias volleyed wide in the 80th minute before Tricia DiPaolo's effort for Sky Blue flew just past the left post one minute later.

June 21, 2008 - Washington-Lee H.S.
1
2
-
F

Jersey Sky Blue (4-2-1) 0 1 - 1
Northern Virginia Majestics (1-4-3) 0 0 - 0


LINEUPS
JERSEY SKY BLUE: Jillian Loyden, Kim Brandão, Bonnie Young, Fanta Cooper (Lauren Ebert 74), Kelly Eagan, Marisa Brown, Gina DeMaio (Aubrey Aden-Buie 81), Ashlyn Brantley (Leah Robinson 45), Taylor Walsh, Domenique Esposito (Christy Zwolski 70), Daniela Molina (Tricia DiPaolo 45).
NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAJESTICS: Kate Milstead, Abby Lauer (Theresa Maykoskki 75), Caitlin Walko, Mary Casey, Jessica Paris, Lisa DuCote (Angela Harvey 56), Kelly Hammond, Nataly Arias, Jessie Deegan (Kika Toulouse 45), Amy Smerdzinski (Tara Kidwell 45), Kate Watson (Brittany Cummins 59).


GOALS
JSB: Walsh (Young) 49th minute


STATISTICS
SHOTS
JSB: 12; NVA: 6
SAVES
JSB: Loyden 3; NVA: Milstead 4
FOULS
JSB: 9; NVA: 4
OFFSIDES
JSB: 0; NVA: 3
CORNERS
JSB: 4; NVA: 3


GAME INFO
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
none
REFEREE
Charles Carson
ASSISTANTS
Jeffrey Skinker
Roberto Furnish
ATTENDANCE
n/a

[Frank Cunha]

over the weekend 2 games two wins

Second Half Goals Complete Successful Weekend Road Trip for Sky Blue
FREDERICKSBURG, VA (June 22, 2008) - Taylor Walsh and Sarra Moller knocked in second half goals as Jersey Sky Blue topped the winless Fredericksburg Lady Gunners 2-0 in a W-League Northeast Division contest at Fredericksburg Academy. In her first action of the season, Dimitra Poulos got the start in goal for Sky Blue and didn't have to make a save to record the shutout.

Combined with last night's 1-0 victory over the Northern Virginia Majestics, Sky Blue completed a successful weekend road trip to improve to 5-2-1 for the season. The two victories improved Sky Blue's road record to a perfect 4-0. Sky Blue will take a day off before returning to action on Tuesday for a game against the New Jersey Wildcats at 7 p.m. at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ.

Sky Blue dominated action holding an 8-2 advantage in shots but couldn't take advantage in the first half. Marisa Brown got the first good chance when her hard hit volley from the top of the box went straight at Lady Gunners keeper Nicky Davies.

In the 24th minute, Kelly Eagan nailed a left-footed blast after a corner kick that deflected off a defender and glanced off the outside of the left post. Five minutes later, Walsh missed wide on a sitter after a dangerous free kick served in by Leah Robinson.

In the 38th minute, Christy Zwolski got a good look in the box from 15-yards out but her chance went straight at Davies.

Sky Blue came out energized after halftime and it took just 1:24 for the visitors to open the scoring. Brown carried the ball on the right before driving a low, hard cross to the near post the Walsh redirected into the goal for her second goal in as many nights.

Moller boosted the lead to 2-0 with a wonder strike in the 74th minute. Domenique Esposito controlled the ball at the top of the box before laying a pass back to Moller, who had checked into the game in the 57th minute. The Sky Blue right back took a touch before cutting to her left and launching left-footed bomb that curled just inside the upper left corner from 30 yards out.


June 22, 2008 - Fredericksburg Academy
1
2
-
F

Jersey Sky Blue (5-2-1) 0 2 - 2
Fredericksburg Lady Gunners (0-9) 0 0 - 0


LINEUPS
JERSEY SKY BLUE: Dimitra Poulos, Kim Brandão, Stephanie Peel (Jaime Komar 45), Lauren Ebert (Sarra Moller 57), Kelly Eagan, Marisa Brown, Leah Robinson, Ashlyn Brantley (Domenique Esposito 45), Taylor Walsh (Aubrey Aden-Buie 62), Tricia DiPaolo (Amélie Mercier 79), Christy Zwolski (Kim Bonilla 69).
FREDERICKSBURG LADY GUNNERS: Nicky Davies, Marissa Mohammed (Alix Stahlneker 75), Kallen Forster, Anne Houliston, Tiffany Azzarito (Gabbi Tinner 79), Patti Benner, Mackenzie King (Theresa DeLucca 68), Leslie Cabe (Shannon Dougherty 77), Leigh Anthony, Kara Blosser, Kylie Hayes (Omolyn Davis 68).

GOALS
JSB: Walsh (Brown) 47th minute
JSB: Moller (Esposito) 74th minute


STATISTICS
SHOTS
JSB: 8; FLG: 2
SAVES
JSB: Poulos 0; FLG: Davies 4
FOULS
JSB: 7; FLG: 6
OFFSIDES
JSB: 3; FLG: 4
CORNERS
JSB: 6; FLG: 1


GAME INFO
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
FLG: Houliston (caution) 28th minute
FLG: Azzarito (caution) 73rd minute

REFEREE
Jim Sadowski
ASSISTANTS
Charles Carson
J.P. Rulce
ATTENDANCE
n/a