NJ SKY BLUE

[Frank Cunha]

SKY BLUE SUMMER CAMP
Date: July 7-11, 2008
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: River Road Fields - Bedminster, NJ
The SBS Camp will allow each player to gain their confidence with every touch that they take on the ball. Sky Blue players will share the techniques and tactics that they use.

Individual attention will be given to guarantee that every camper will be challenged at each progression based on her individual ability.

Guest Appearance by 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Heather O'Reilly!
FEATURING ...

Full staff with Sky Blue players and coaches
Professional instruction on every position including goalkeeping
FREE Replica Jersey
FREE ticket for each camper to a Sky Blue game
Autographs with the Sky Blue team
On site trainer
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SKY BLUE SUMMER CAMP

SKY BLUE CLUB CAMPS

A camp solely for your club/team is something that is truly unique!
Sky Blue will bring highly qualified female trainers to provide a camp tailored made to meet your clubs/teams needs.

Just $100 per player
Each camp lasts four days
Free Ticket to one home Jersey Sky Blue game to each participant
May: Monday thru Thursday, 5-8 pm
June: Monday thru Thursday, 5-8 pm
July: Monday thru Thursday, 9 am-12 pm or 5-8 pm

Camp size is flexible with a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 50 players. Sky Blue will provide an average ratio of one trainer for every 11 players.

Clubs will be responsible for providing a facility, player registration and liability waivers.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SKY BLUE CLUB CAMPS

Also available:

CLUB TEAM TRAINING
GOALKEEPER TRAINING
INDIVIDUAL & SMALL GROUP TRAINING

[Frank Cunha]

Sky Blue Adds International Experience with Robinson, Stocco
BEDMINSTER, NJ (April 9, 2008) - Jersey Sky Blue added an international element to its roster with Sky Blue Soccer announcing today that Leah Robinson of Canada and Stacey Stocco of Australia will join the squad for the 2008 W-League season. Longtime veterans of the W-League, both Robinson and Stocco played for the Ottawa Fury for the past two seasons.

Between the two of them, the duo combines for 12 seasons of W-League participation. They also boast international experience with Robinson having appeared for the Canada Women's National Team and with Stocco having starred for Australia on the Under-19 level.

The two should be in uniform when Jersey Sky Blue opens its second season in the W-League on May 10 on the road against the Boston Renegades. Sky Blue will make its 2008 home debut on Saturday, May 31 when it hosts the Renegades at 7:30 pm at Drew University.

2008 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

"Leah and Stacey are established W-League veterans and we're very excited to have them join us this summer," said Jersey Sky Blue Head Coach Denise Reddy. "They're coming from a very successful Ottawa Fury program and their winning ways will fit right in with our team."

[Frank Cunha]

Robinson from Canada, Stacey from Australia signed with the NJ SKY BLUE
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR Sky Blue adds Canadian, Australian

[Frank Cunha]

Sky Blue Soccer and Goals for Life have created a partnership to promote their respective organizations. As part of the partnership, Sky Blue will participate in the 8th annual Goals for Life women's soccer tournament while Goals for Life will have a featured night at a Jersey Sky Blue W-League game.

The Goals for Life tournament will be held on June 7 in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The Goals for Life night at a Sky Blue game will be held on June 14 when Sky Blue takes on the Connecticut Passion at 7:30 p.m. at Drew University in Madison, NJ. The partnership will also extend to other avenues of promotion and future event participation.


The pairing of Sky Blue Soccer and Goals for Life is a personal one for Sky Blue Soccer CEO Thomas Hofstetter, who has coached a team at the event in the past. His wife, Chris, has played with her team in the event for a number of years since its inception.


"I am very happy that the two organizations decided to form a partnership," he said. "Sky Blue Soccer is very committed to women's health. Last year we created the SBS Women's Health initiative that focuses on the education and promotion of women's health related topics. We are very happy to support Goals for Life and its cause, and hope to be able to help them raise funds."



According to Goals for Life president Kathleen Lee, the two organizations will work to create a mutually beneficial partnership.

"I am very excited about our new relationship with Sky Blue Soccer," Lee said. "I feel our common goals and philosophies, regarding women's health and sports, will result in a partnership that is beneficial to not only our respective organizations, but the community at large."

Jersey Sky Blue opens its second season in the W-League on May 10 on the road against the Boston Renegades. Sky Blue will make its 2008 home debut on Saturday, May 31 when it hosts the Renegades at 7:30 pm at Drew University. Season tickets and group packages are available now through the Sky Blue Soccer website - Sky Blue Home - Sky Blue Soccer - for Jersey Sky Blue 2008 W-League season.

About Sky Blue Soccer

Sky Blue Soccer is a highly-respected soccer organization both in the United States and internationally. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Sky Blue has developed an integrated program that allows soccer players to progress from the youth game to the amateur level to the professional ranks. Sky Blue Soccer is a founding member of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) - the new women's professional soccer league that will kick off in April, 2009. Sky Blue Soccer also operates Jersey Sky Blue, which will kick off its second season in the W-League in 2008.

Website: Sky Blue Home - Sky Blue Soccer

[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]

WPS Announces Timeline for Player Allocation, Tryouts
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 8, 2008) - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the details of its player selection process leading into the kickoff of its inaugural season in April 2009. WPS teams will build their rosters through an allocation of U.S. Women's National Team stars, a draft of international players, combines, additional League drafts and local team tryouts.

WPS will begin securing domestic talent with the post-Olympics allocation of the U.S. Women's National Team (WNT) and U.S. WNT Player Pool in mid-September, to be immediately followed with a draft of the top international players. In October, WPS will conduct a general draft for both domestic and international players, followed by east and west coast combines in December and a post-combine draft in January. WPS Teams for the inaugural 2009 season - Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. - will then complete their rosters via local tryouts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WPS PLAYER NEWS ...

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Sky Blue Hosts Rough Riders in Pivotal Match
BEDMINSTER, NJ (July 8, 2008) - Jersey Sky Blue returns home to Drew University's Ranger Stadium to take on the Long Island Rough Riders on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in a pivotal Northeast Division match. Sky Blue will be seeking to keep alive its slim hopes of qualifying for the Eastern Conference playoffs after underachieving results this past weekend.

Sky Blue enters the match in fourth place in the division at 6-3-2 for 20 points with the top three teams qualifying for the postseason. Long Island has been a surprise this season with a 7-1-2 mark for 23 points. Sky Blue will need a victory to have any chance of extending its season.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT JERSEY SKY BLUE ...

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W-League Combine Debuts this Fall Ahead of WPS
TAMPA, FL (July 7, 2008) - United Soccer Leagues announced Monday that with the upcoming launch of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), it will be conducting the inaugural USL W-League Combine in Tampa September 4-7 of 2008. The combine will feature 128 elite players showcasing their talent for WPS and other professional scouts and coaches.

The combine will consist of invited elite W-League players as well as those selected from an open application process. The deadline for players submitting an Open Application is August 6. It will be held at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, home to the W-League Tampa Bay Hellenic and the USL Super Y-League North American Finals.

The USL W-League Combine will cap what will be an important five-week span in North American women's soccer beginning with the W-League Championship tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia July 31 to August 2. The rest of August will feature the US and Canadian women's national teams vying for Olympic glory in China from August 6-21.

[Frank Cunha]

MADISON, NJ (July 9, 2008) - Faced with a must win situation to keep its playoff hopes alive, Jersey Sky Blue came up with a clutch 1-0 victory over the Long Island Rough Riders on a steamy night at Drew University's Ranger Stadium with the lone goal coming from the likeliest of sources.

Former Rough Rider Michele O'Brien headed in a second-half goal as Sky Blue improved to 7-3-2 for 23 points while Long Island dropped to 7-2-2 for 23 points. The match was the only meeting of the season between the two teams so the victory gives Sky Blue the edge on the head-to-head tiebreaker should the two teams finish tied for points at the end of the season.

O'Brien was a long-time fixture in W-League soccer on Long Island starring for the Long Island Lady Riders from 2000 to 2005 before moving to the Rough Riders for 2007 when the franchise changed ownership. The Republic of Ireland National Team player nodded home her first goal of the season just inside the right post in the 64th minute off a cross from Gina DeMaio for the game-winner.

O'Brien's heroics weren't the only intriguing storyline as Sky Blue's first-choice goalkeeper Jillian Loyden fell ill earlier in the day and was not able to dress. Backup goalkeeper Dimitra Poulos stepped in for Loyden and the Australian needed just two saves to record her second shutout of the season in her second appearance. Loyden had played 10 of Sky Blue's previous 11 games this season.

Sky Blue dominated play for most of the game holding a 13-4 advantage in shots while Poulos wasn't troubled once during the game.

In the first half, Sky Blue spent a lot of time in the Long Island half but couldn't create dangerous chances. The best opportunity came in the 30th minute on a play started Fanta Cooper, who had a strong game at left back after missing the previous four games with a knee injury. Cooper overlapped on the left and her shot was deflected to the right to DeMaio, who cracked a shot to the near post that Rough Riders keeper mishandled but was able to grab with one hand as it trickled toward the line.

In the second half, Sky Blue continued to attack and in the 50th minute Taylor Walsh sent a high cross toward the far post that Domenique Esposito just missed heading into an open net. In the 58th minute, O'Brien just missed on a play very similar to the goal heading an Esposito cross toward goal that Frey snared.

Long Island's best spurt came in the 60th minute when Sade Ayinde rolled a shot that Poulos easily handled. Seconds later, Brooke DeRosa sent a cross from the left right through the Sky Blue goalmouth and out.

Sky Blue continues its quest to qualify for the postseason when it travels to Fredericksburg, MD on Saturday for a match against the defending W-League champions in the Washington Freedom at 7 p.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

July 9, 2008 - Ranger Stadium
1
2
-
F

Long Island Rough Riders (7-2-2) 0 0 - 0
Jersey Sky Blue (7-3-2) 0 1 - 1


LINEUPS
LONG ISLAND ROUGH RIDERS: Meghan Frey, Sue Weber, Liz Speck, Stephanie Sohn, Lindsey Vanderspiegel (Courtney Curby 79), Sade Ayinde, Rebecca Kaplan (CJ Ludeman 60), Kim Miller, Nicole Benko (Elaine O'Connor 79), Kerri McCabe (Erin Pardini 63), Brooke DeRosa (Kristen Habenicht 74).
JERSEY SKY BLUE: Dimitra Poulos, Kim Brandão, Sarra Moller, Stephanie Peel, Fanta Cooper (Kim Bonilla 89), Gina DeMaio, Leah Robinson (Ashlyn Brantley 66), Tricia DiPaolo (Marisa Brown 74), Domenique Esposito (Amélie Mercier 69), Taylor Walsh (Daniela Molina 60), Michele O'Brien (Jaime Komar 85).

GOALS
JSB: O'Brien (DeMaio) 64th minute


STATISTICS
SHOTS
LI: 4; JSB: 13
SAVES
LI: Frey 4; JSB: Poulos 2
FOULS
LI: 3; JSB: 11
OFFSIDES
LI: 4; JSB: 0
CORNERS
LI: 2; JSB: 2


GAME INFO
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
none
REFEREE
Kyle Haddock
ASSISTANTS
Matthew Wetzel
David Bahamonde
ATTENDANCE
889