NJ SKY BLUE FC 1 - 0 CHICAGO RED STARS

Kerri Hanks scored a dramatic stoppage time goal in the 91st minute as Sky Blue downed Chicago Red Stars 1 -0 at Yurcak Field, New Jersey.
Both teams knew that the 3 pts were a must to keep themselves in contention for the playoffs.

The game started slow as both teams took the field for the third time in eight days on a hot afternoon in New Jersey.In the first half, neither team really threatened with Sky Blue FC earning the best chance – a great breakout started by Julianne Sitch with Kacey White feeding Natasha Kai in front for a shot that just missed the left post in the fifth minute.

In the second half, the teams threatened more with Chioma Igwe just missing the far post for the Red Stars on a flick header in the 57th minute.

The teams traded end-to-end chances in the 67th minute as Kai had a diving header blocked off a cross from Kacey White for Sky Blue FC. At the other end, Danesha Adams just missed the right post from 20 yards out. Two minutes later, Adams went close again blazing a shot over the crossbar from distance.

In the 72nd minute, Jen Buczkowski played through for Kai but Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson made a spectacular point-blank save to keep game scoreless. Kai missed again eight minutes later as Hanks played in behind but her volley went over the goal.

The Red Stars last chance came on the 90th minute when Cristiane supplied a pinpoint cross into the box to Ella Maser who got her head to it and directed a looping header to the GK Jenni Branam’s left. Branam plucked it out of the air by her finger tips preventing Chicago the last minute winner.

It was from there that Sky Blue went up the field to earn a free-kick from a professional foul from Nikki Krzysik. Red Stars defended the free-kick but Sky Blue kept the ball alive in Chicago’s half with Keeley Dowling sending a ball on the floor through the penalty box. Hanks latches on to the ball takes a touch to get some space and launches a shot to Jonsson’s left. Goalie was left flat-footed. 1-0 Sky Blue.

The goal was the second of the season for Hanks, whose first goal came as a member of Saint Louis Athletica. The appearance was her third for Sky Blue FC – all off the bench.

With the win, Sky Blue FC finished the season series against the Red Stars with a 3-0-1 mark including a 4-0 advantage in goals. Both teams were missing multiple players in the game due to international call-ups.

Sky Blue FC 6-6-4 for 22 points – Now sit in 4th place in the WPS standings in the last playoff spot, 2 pts ahead of the Washington Freedom who are in 5th and 1pt behind 3rd place Saint Louis Athletica and 2pts behind 2nd place Boston Breakers.Sky Blue’s next two games are against Athletica and the breakers.

Chicago fell to 4-8-5 for 17 points and dropped to sixth place 3pts behind Washington and 5pts behind Sky Blue. With Chicago only having 3 games left they need to win all their games and hope the teams above them slip up.

Sky Blue are away to Saint Louis Athletica on Wednesday July 22nd. A win will see them jump up to 2nd place in the WPS standings.

The Red Stars are at home to the Washington Freedom on Sunday July 26th

Sky Blue FC head coach Kelly Lindsey

On today’s match
I think finally in the second half we started to stretch them a little bit and get around them and then through them. I thought both teams had good chances, which and it was pretty evenly matched throughout the game. Overall it was gutsy for both teams with missing a bunch of players.

On the back line
I really thought they pulled it together. They worked really well together and stayed united and we didn’t get pulled apart. I was very proud of our back line today.

Kerri Hanks

"It's very exciting,It's not only great for me but great for the team coming out with a win. We go into every game looking for three points and I'm glad I could provide help for the team. Keeley played a great ball and I took a touch and just hit it."

Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes

Losing is never easy, whether or it's a first-minute or last-minute goal. Unfortunately we got a bit disorganized at the end since we were chasing a goal so hard; obviously both teams needed to win this game. I don't think that the team was good enough today in the attack, and we weren't able to create a great deal of chances - Sky Blue FC deserves credit for that.

Lineups:

Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Katie Hooker, Jen Buczkowski, Keeley Dowling (C), Meghan Schnur; Julianne Sitch (Kerri Hanks 62’), Yael Averbuch (Francielle 62’), Rosana (Noelle Keselica 84’), Collette McCallum; Kacey White, Natasha Kai.

Chicago Red Stars – Caroline Jonsson; Marian Dalmy, Jill Oakes, Ifeoma Dieke, Lydia Vandebergh (Nikki Krzysik 89’); Danesha Adams (Natalie Spilger 78’), Frida Oostburg (C), Chioma Igwe (Heather Garriock 69’), Brittany Klein; Cristiane, Ella Masar.