FC Gold Pride stuns Sky Blue FC
by WPS - Staff Report
09/01/2010 - 07:06 p.m.
Becky Edwards (in black) scored the 90th minute equalizer for FC Gold Pride.
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 1, 2010) – Sky Blue FC (7-10-5, 26 points) and FC Gold Pride (14-3-5, 47 points) played to a 1-1 tie Wednesday evening at Yurcak Field in what had to feel like a loss for the New Jersey side.
"It's very unfortunate to see such a well-played game end the way this one did, but we have to keep our heads up and continue to have the belief that we are still in this," said Sky Blue FC Head Coach Rick Stainton.
Needing a victory to stay neck and neck with the Washington Freedom (7-8-7, 28 points) for the fourth and final playoff berth, Sky Blue FC took a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute as Heather O’Reilly put Tasha Kai through into the 18-yard box. Kai slotted the ball past FC Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart for her fifth goal of the season.
Perhaps in preparation of the playoffs, first-place FC Gold Pride, who did not need a result, pushed everyone forward in the late going in search of an equalizer. They found it in the 90th minute.
Second-half substitute Carli Lloyd, making her first appearance for Sky Blue FC since breaking her ankle in a game on April 25, fouled FC Gold Pride’s Ali Riley drawing a yellow card. Camille Abily sent the ensuing free kick into the 18-yard box and midfielder Becky Edwards met the ball, sliding it into the goal. The score was Edwards’ first in WPS.
"It was exciting being able score, and I was happy to help the team out when we were down a goal," said Edwards. "In the second half, I thought we did a good job of putting high pressure, created chances, and believed in ourselves to keep pushing to get that goal."
With the tie, FC Gold Pride extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games, tying the WPS record set by the Los Angeles Sol in 2009.
"This team is special because we have different players that can come up big and change a game at any given time," said Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "I thought that the first half was outstanding but we lacked finishing, but in the second half, we created opportunities and kept plugging away to get that equalizing goal."
Sky Blue FC remains in fifth place, two points behind the fourth-place Washington Freedom. Both teams have two matches remaining in the WPS regular season. Sky Blue hits the road to face the Atlanta Beat on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 6pm ET.
"Overall, we were pretty happy with the way we performed," O'Reilly said. "Obviously, it was a bit of a heartbreak there in the end when they were able to tie it. As a team, we know we have to continue to move forward with a positive approach, and we know we still have some soccer to play."
FC Gold Pride, who has already clinched the WPS Regular Season title, returns to the Bay Area to host the Boston Breakers on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
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