WASHINGTON D.C. (May 23, 2009) – Sky Blue FC put together a strong effort after halftime but fell just short as the Washington Freedom claimed a 2-1 victory in Women’s Professional Soccer action at RFK Stadium. Sky Blue FC kept the Freedom on its heels for much of the second half but couldn’t complete the comeback after falling behind by two goals late in the first half.

Cat Whitehill and Lisa De Vanna both scored as the Freedom connected twice in the final 10 minutes of the opening half before Rosana scored her first goal of the season for Sky Blue midway through the second half.

The loss drops Sky Blue FC to 1-4-2 while Washington improves to 2-2-3. Today’s match concluded a run of five-straight road games for Sky Blue FC. The team returns to New Jersey to take on the Boston Breakers on Sunday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. (888-SBFC-TIX | www.skybluestore.com)

"The first half was an emotional battle for us - a bit of a rollercoaster to get into it and feel confident and comfortable," said Sky Blue FC Interim Head Coach Kelly Lindsey. "The second half, we did a great job of reorganizing a few things - getting players in a few positions that they felt more comfortable, and I think their confidence grew through the half. We stuck together as a team and created some situations where we could have won the game so we have to really look at it like we had a positive experience today. We learned a lot on and off the field and I think we came out with a moral victory for our team."

Sky Blue FC played the game without four starters with Christie Rampone and Heather O'Reilly (United States) and Kelly Parker (Canada) away for national team duty. In addition, Sarah Walsh was out with a hamstring injury. The Freedom were without striker Abby Wambach, who was also with the US Women's National Team.

Sky Blue FC had the better chances in the early going, but the Freedom took over as the opening half came to a close. In the eighth minute, Rosana made a nice move along the left sideline before crossing the ball to Kacey White in the box. White brought the ball down before striking a left-footed shot that was saved by Freedom keeper Erin McLeod.

Washington broke through in the 35th minute after earning a corner kick on the right side. Sonia Bompastor whipped the ball into the box and Whitehill met the ball at the near post and flicked the ball into the goal.

Washington continued to attack and in the 40th minute as De Vanna tried to sneak one in at the near post but missed wide. One minute later, Rebecca Moros had a goal disallowed after she received the final pass in an offside position.

The Freedom doubled the lead in the 43rd minute on a nice individual effort by De Vanna, who took advantage of a Sky Blue FC misplay and carried into the box from 40 yards out. After fending off the challenge of defender Keeley Dowling, the Australian striker rolled a shot inside the right post from 12 yards out.

Sky Blue FC came out strong in the second half and could’ve struck early on if not for a few great interventions from McLeod.

In the 47th minute, a nice combination between White and Natasha Kai left White behind in the left corner. White’s cross was deflected to the near post and McLeod had to tip the ball over the left post. On the following corner kick, Rosana snapped a header off the Collette McCallum serve but McLeod made a top-class diving save near the right post to parry the chance away.

Rosana worked a nice combination with Kai at the top of the box in the 54th minute before finding Julianne Sitch inside the box on the right. Sitch controlled the ball before hitting a shot that was deflected wide by McLeod. Two minutes later, Rosana missed high from the top of the box off a nice layoff from Yael Averbuch on a cross from Kai.

Sky Blue FC finally broke through in the 66th minute on a play started by Jen Buczkowski on the right side of the midfield. She played a pass forward to the feet of Kai, who controlled the ball before slipping a perfect splitting ball behind for Rosana. The Brazilian midfielder was in alone and she slotted an easy finish into the lower right corner from 12 yards out.

Sky Blue FC announced prior to the start of today's match that Ian Sawyers has been indefinitely suspended from his duties as General Manager and Head Coach. Lindsey, formerly the top assistant, served as interim head coach in his place.

Ticket specials are available for Sky Blue FC's match against the Breakers on May 31st. Pick up a Family 4-Pack with tickets and refreshments for everyone. Call 888-SBFC-TIX or visit www.skybluestore.com for more information.

May 23, 2009 – RFK Stadium	1	2	-	F
Sky Blue FC (1-4-2)	0	1	-	1
Washington Freedom (2-2-3)	2	0	-	2

Lineups:
Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Julianne Sitch, Anita Asante (Capt), Keeley Dowling (Capt), Meghan Schnur; Jen Buczkowski, Collette McCallum; Yael Averbuch (Christie Shaner 67’), Rosana (Mele French 79’); Kacey White, Natasha Kai (Noelle Keselica 67’)

Washington Freedom – Erin McLeod; Becky Sauerbrunn, Cat Whitehill (Capt), Alex Singer, Jill Gilbeau (Lisa DeDyker 64’); Homare Sawa, Sonia Bompastor, Lori Lindsey; Rebecca Moros, Lisa De Vanna (Parissa Eyorokon 78’), Allie Long (Emily Janss 90’)

Scoring Summary:
WF – Whitehill (Bompastor) 35th minute
WF – De Vanna 40th minute
SBFC – Rosana (Kai) 66th minute

Misconduct Summary:
SBFC - Dowling (caution) 48th minute
WF - DeDycker (caution) 77th minute
SBFC - Asante (caution) 84th minute
SBFC - Keselica (caution) 89th minute

Game Summary:
Referee – Daniel Fitzgerald
Assistant Referees – Danielle Magourik; Michael Donovan
4th Official – n/a
Attendance – n/a
Weather - Sunny, Balmy, 86 degrees

BOXSCORE (All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.)

QUOTES

Sky Blue FC Interim Head Coach Kelly Lindsey

ON THE FINAL MINUTES OF THE GAME

It felt good - our team did well, our bench was up, the fans were into it. I thought there were a lot of goal scoring opportunities and there were some dangerous moments and I think everyone enjoyed the last 15-20 minutes of the game.

ON ERIN MCLEOD

McLeod and her defense stopped maybe two shots off the line. I thought she had a great game but it was something we were looking at to try and take advantage of with only two games under her belt. I really thought she came out like a true professional.

ON PLAYING HOME NEXT WEEK

We are so excited to be home and play in front of our New Jersey fans. It will be great for the girls to sleep in their own beds at night before a game and it’ll be great to get started at Rutgers and have some home games.

Noelle Keselica

ON MAKING HER WPS DEBUT CLOSE TO HOME

It’s incredible having my family and friends here being able to watch me.

ON TODAY’S MATCH

I think our team fought well in the second half and I think we were battling so hard at the end that we thought we would have pulled a win or a tie.