Blue'z The Limit

Sky Blue FC's Post Season PARTY!

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:17:58 -0500

Here are videos i compiled fromthe sky blue post season party...

4 sky Blue FC players chosen for WNT training camp in Sept-Oct

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:23:08 -0500

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/ny/news/press_releases/090826-uswnt-callups

Sky Blue FC, WPS Inaugural Champs

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:37:12 -0500

On Saturday, August 22nd was the first ever WPS championship playoffs hosted by MedImmune. The adrenaline was running for Sky Blue FC winning a previous 2 games on the road against the Washington Freedom and the St. Louis Athletica, both teams who people thought would crush the undersog team from Jersey.

Sky Blue FC proved them wrong.

One week before the playoffs, Sky Blue won against the Freedom with a late goal from Brazilian Francielle giving the Sky a lead of 2-1.

Three days later, Sky Blue again played well against the St. Louis Athletica, dominating the first half of the game. It was one of three Sky Blue Captains, Keeley Dowling, who found the net past the world renound GK, Hope Solo, and kept the lead for the rest of the game.

Jenni Branam was fighter on the field, getting hit numerous ammount of times but still managed to play a full 90 for all three playoff matches.

Last saturday, the Sol was ready to shine out the blue skies in Carson, California, but that wasn't going to happen.

Sky Blue FC crushed the hearts of the home field fans, scoring off a header from Natasha Kai and deflected off the shin of Sol keeper Karina LeBlanc in the 16th minute.

In the 27th minute, there was controversy when Natasha Kai was fouled rfom the back by deffender Allison Falk. Falk then received a red card and was taken out of the game which gave Sky Blue a huge advantage.

In the second half, Jenni Branam of the Sky made a spectacular save from the left bottom corner; the shot was ripped by Shannon boxx.

In the end, Sky Blue was the victorious team, winning 3 away games in a row against teams they have never beaten before. They've had three coaches, endured much drama, and still managed to be crowned the WPS champs. Well done ladies :)

Sky Blue FC Advaces to St. Louis for Super Semi

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:15:38 -0500

One week after suffering a loss to the washington freedom, Sky Blue FC came back with a 2-1 revenge in the first round of playoffs. Sky Blue was to be the underdogs of the match with a previous record of 0-2-1 against the freedom.

The game was slow due to the 90 degree heat. Most subs were used early into the second half.

The starting lineup for the Sky wasn't something that we were all used too, Jenni Branam; Jen Buczkowski, Keeley Dowling, Meghan Schnur, Christie Rampone; Yael Averbuch, Collette McCallum, Heather O'Reilly, Kacey White; Rosana, Kerri Hanks. Parker and Natasha Kai were benched for the start of the game.

Though the weird lineup, it was probably the best decision ever made.

In the 55th minute, Kai subbed in for two time Herman-Mac trophy winner Kerri Hanks. Less than a minute into the game (:45 to be completely accurate) Kacey White did a semi cross into the 6 yard box where Kai snuck behind washington defender Cat Whitehill and shot the ball with her left foot. The ball deflected off Erin McCleod's hands, and into the far right corner of the goal. This decision made Rampone look genius.

However, 20 minutes later, Abby wambach went for goal as Jenni Branam came off her line and collided. The ball still remained alive in the 18 and Australian international Lisa DeVanna buried the shot into the back of the goal. Theres no update on Branam's injury at this point. Wambach seemed fine.

The game wasn't over yet. near the 85th minute mark, Brazilian Francielle, who was acquired fro ma trade with St. Louis Athletica, buried a shot into the bottom right corner of the net which rolled passed McCleod's Fingertips 20 yards out.

Sky Blue will be playing the St. Louis Athletica this upcoming Wednesday in Fenton, MO. Check womensprosoccer.com for more information on local listings.

SKY WHO??

Sky Blue Awaits Most Important Game of The Season after Two Nil win

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 16:48:42 -0500

On August 5th, Yurcak field drew more than 5400 fans in the stands, a sell out, for the final home game of the season. Along with the fans, Sky Blue FC mangaed to stick a 2-0 win over Bay Area's (also known as Santa Clara) FC Gold Pride breaking their 3 game non losing streak. The the game included free tailgate pizza provided by pizza hut, free goodie bags and 50% off all jerseys at the SBFC store.

With Christie Rampone as Interim Coach, there was much confussion and doubt in the beginning of the game.

A late switch before the game forced Sky Blue to use up one of their substitutions. Instead of Jenni Branam Starting in goal, Karen Bardsley took her place. Bardsley is GK for the England National Team. Branam is expected to play saturday.

Adding to that, Sky Blue FC was without their star defender, Anita Asante due to Yellow Card accumulation.

Both teams were silent in the first half, but a sometime in the first half, Karen Bardsley Came of her line to punch the ball out. The ball came right to the head of someone and they headed it into the open net. Jen "buzz" Buczkowski was there to save the day with a bicycle kick.

But FCGP Forward Canadian international star, Christine Sinclair, Had a break away towards goal in the 43rd minute. Luckily Bardsley was there to save it and the ball was kicked away by the defenders.

Star forward, Natasha Kai, preps herself before 2nd half

Seconds into the second half, Heather O'reilly sent a beautiful cross into the 18 where Brazilian Rosana made a Diving header into the goal.

Less than 20 minutes later, Natasha Kai secured the lead when Collette McCallum (who had only been in the game for two minutes off the bench) sent in a perfect cross to the Flyin Hawaiin and tapped the ball into the far left corner.

Keeley dowling deffends

Sky Blue will be coming into a very important must win weekend. They will taking on the Washington Freedom who is tied with SBFC for 3rd and 4th place. Sky Blue must win this game to clinch playoff berth.

Sunday's Boston vs LA will also be very important to SBFC's playoff future. A sky Blue win on Saturday and Boston loss on sunday will clinch a 3rd place spot and the chance to host a Playoff game.

Record: 7-7-5

Sky Blue FC hopes to end Season in the Final Four

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 12:36:24 -0500

On Saturday, July 25th at Harvard Stadium, Sky Blue managed to gain one point on the road agaisnt the Boston Breakers. The Breakers have a final record of 0-2-1 against the Jersey team. New Jersey was kept alive with miraculous saves from Keeper Jenni Branam. Lindsey said that the team would've lost without the amazing saves from branam.

Highlights from Sky Blue FC @ Boston Breakers, July 25th

However, only five days later, then head coach Kelly Lindsey and assistant coach Joe Dorini resigned with only 2 games left in the season. The reason why they left is still to be unknown. In an article, CEO Thomas Hoftstetter says that she left before a training with out saying anything, however she did leave a letter. There is nothing about Joe Dorini.

Christie Rampone will replace Lindsey as Interim Head Coach/Player for the remainder of the season. She will be assisted by ODP coach Mike Lyons.

As the season comes to a close, Sky Blue still has a chance to get into a play off spot. They must win both games. Their last game against the Washington Freedom will probably be the most important game of their season.

Sky Blue FC's current record is 6-7-5

THE LAST HOME GAME IS APPROACHING!
Wednesday, August 5th|Yurcak field, Busch Campus, Rutgers
FC Gold Pride @ Sky Blue FC

Pizza Hut Pregame Tailgate Party with free food
BE WELL! Health Fair presented by Saint Peter's Heathcare System before the game
Celebrate Brazil Night featuring a special Meet & Greet with Brazilian players from both teams
Win a Sky Blue FC player jersey at the Shirts Off Our Backs auction with proceeds to benefit Coaching for Conservation
Youth Soccer Appreciation Night with a halftime parade featuring local club teams
PUMA night with special treats for fans

Hanks scores Extra Time goal for win on Sunday, but Fails to Beat Old Team Wednesday

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:56:54 -0500

Chicago fans were truly Stunned Sunday the 19th at Yurcak Field when second half substitute, Kerri Hanks, scored a goal in the 90+ minute. She scored off a dummy play when defender, Keeley Dowling, crossed the ball into the middle to collette McCallum, fake kicked (or in other words, "missed") the ball which then came to Hanks on the other side of the field. Hanks then took a touch to the middle of the box and slammed the ball into the right side of the goal. Caroline Jonnson, Chicago Red Stars Keeper, couldn't see the ball due to the sunlight which was shining directly into her eyes. When she saw the goal in the back of the net, she fell down to her knees in frustration.

4-4 was the Score at Yurcak Field

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:28 -0500

4-4 was the score at Yurcak Field on July 15th when the Sky Blue FC took on the Washington Freedom infront of of 3700 fans. The home team stood strong throughout the whole game with the absence of their central deffender, Anita asante, and their back up GK Karen Bardsley.

The game had an early spark when Sonia Bompastor Headed the ball into the far post off a cross from Ali Krieger. Branam could'nt get a a hand or body on it because she was committed to the Near corner.

One minute and thirty seconds later, Natsha Kai sent the ball into the back of the net with her calf when heather o'reilly served the ball into the middle from the left side. This set the record for fastest back-to-back goals in the league.

In the 23rd minute, Keeley Dowling had her moment of fame when she shot the ball to the left bottom corner past the hands of Freedom GK Erin McCleod and hit the post.

Sky Blue again made magic when Dowling sent a long ball headed for the goal. Kacey White deflected the ball more toward the net and secured the lead of 2-1.

In stoppage time, the freedom had a free kick at the top of the penalty arch. Cat Whitehill took a hard shot right at Jenni Branam and the shot was so hard, she went back wards a little bit.

White again had a goal 27 seconds into the second half (though it was pretty much accidental) when she sent in a cross from the left corner of the field, managed to hit the far right post and secured the lead 3-1.

Washington responded within less than a minute when Bompastor crossed the ball to the head of Lisa DeVanna who buried a goal 5 yards out.

DeVanna tied the game 3-3 when striker Abby Wambach chipped her a ball. DeVanna beat the offsides trap and rolled the ball into the net beating Sky Blue GK Jenni Branam

And inthe 86th minute, the almost game winning goal was born. Rosana chested down a ball from Kelly parker and passed the ball through deffenders. The ball looked like it rolled to far, but Natasha Kai slide tackled the ball into the net and collided with McCleod to give sky blue the lead 4-3.

Washington wasn't done yet. Two minutes into stoppage time, Jen buczkowski Deflected the ball of her shin gaurd toward their own goal. Branam tried tapping the ball over the bar, but the bal hit thecross bar and came back onto the field where Cat Whitehill was waiting to pounce on the ball. She equalized the game and spoiled the win for Sky Blue FC.

There were numberous injuries throughout the whole game, but luckily nooone was seriously injured. No one was stretchered off.

Julianne Sitch defends French international Sonia Bompastor

The next Sky Blue game will be Sunday, July 19, against the Chicago Red Stars @ 4:30. After the game will be a concert Featuring the band Justpassingthru to celebrate Faith Day at Yurcak Field. Also, special ticket packages are available! Get the chance to take apicture with Natasha Kai after the game! Need moreinfo? SkyBlueFC.com

Sky Blue marks its third win against Breakers!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:47:08 -0500

Here are the Highlights from Sunday's Game against the Breakers.

Let me say, AMAZING GOALS by kai and rosana

The Breakers fell apart with the absence of Kelly Smith. Natasha Kai was eject at the 47 minute and was replaced by Kelly Parker due to her nagging shoulder injury. She will ahve surgery after the WPS season. Also, Noelle Keselica made her second appearance in the franchise and did a fantastic job :).

Sky Blue is now 3-0 with Boston (W00 h00).

Sky Blue's next game will be agaisnt the Washington Freedom this Wednesday. Kick off is scheduled for 7pm. Also get your cahcne to take a picture with WNT star Abby Wambach!

The next SBFC televised game (on FSC of course) will be next week at 4:30!! not the usual 6 or 7 pm!

also dont forget to catch some of the USA WNT on ESPN at 3. Sky Blue players Heather OReilly and Christie Rampone will be at the freindly agaisnt Canada in Rochester

Sky Blue comes back with a WIN!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:03:08 -0500

Sky Blue FC won on July 4th against the ranked 2, Boston Breakers, after a sad 2-1 loss against the St. Louis Athletica the previous week. The Blue's record now stands at 4-6-3.

The game started with blue skies partly cloudy. The sky then turned grey for fans who were devastated to see USA WNT star Natasha Kai sitting out in a sling. She had dislocated her shoulder and injured it in previous games and was unable to play in that night's game.

Kai walking on the field with her usual big belts and hightops

That awful sight soon vanished when in the 6th minute, Heather O'reilly scored off a bending corner kick that fell into the hands of breaker goalie, Allie Lipsher. Lipsher could'nt get a full hand of the ball and she bounced it into the net. This marked Heather O'reilly's second goal of the season. She also earned MVP of the game.

Sky Blue's next game will be July 15 against Abby Wambach and the Washington Freedom. This will be the Freedom's ONLY appearance in New Jersey, so come on out to Yurcak Field!!!

Want more information? SkyBlueFC.com