On a day where Sky Blue FC wore all pink in support of breast cancer awareness, midfielder Hayley Haagsma got the team off to an early 11th minute lead, before the team relented a late equalizer to the Houston Dash in yet another 1 – 1 draw.
Sky Blue’s goal came off a corner kick by midfielder Katy Freels. The ball volleyed off of midfielder Kristin Grubka before getting to the head of Haagsma who was able to place it into the back of the net.
For the second game in a row Sky Blue was able to get off to a very early lead, but could not manage to hold on for a win. Sky Blue’s 16 shots taken were their second most to date through their eight games this season.
“We have to find a way to push through the lack of focus at the end of games,” Sky Blue FC Technical Director & Head Coach Jim Gabarra said. “We played well enough again today to come away with three points, but we did not do a good enough job of finishing our chances. As a team, we need to have a little bit better concentration to put shots on frame, as well as displaying that killer extinct to put goals away.”
Houston scored their equalizer in the 86th minute after Brittany Cameron made a fantastic diving save in front of the goal, the ball was deflected to Houston forward Allie Bailey who was able to strike it in off the rebound.
“I thought Sky Blue from our perspective was a little more dangerous and a little better in the first half,” Houston Dash Head Coach Randy Waldrum said. “In the second half we were better, especially with the chances we created. Every point is valuable in this league, and it’s disappointing not to get three.”
The Dash had a big chance for a goal in the 78th minute when they were presented with a penalty kick following a foul in the box by Sky Blue midfielder Meg Morris. Cameron was able to come up with the huge save as she did seemingly all game long.
“It’s easy to sit back and say if we make that we get three points,” Waldrum said. “It doesn’t always work that way. If we score that goal we might not have made some of the changes that we made to get the next goal. You can’t judge that.”
Sky Blue’s inability to score continues to be the theme of their season thus far. Although they’ve been able to improve their pace of play, and continue to make strives forward in the shot department, it is not translating into their final results.
“We are so strong defensively that you can only do so much,” Haagsma said. “I just feel like there’s that last puzzle piece to our attack that’s missing and it comes from the back all the way to the front.”
Sky Blue has managed to take 50 shots over their last three games, but only two of them have found the back of the net. Cameron and the defense have done a great job keeping them in games, but if they want to grab that elusive second win, they will have to take advantage of these missed opportunities.
The draw moves Sky Blue into a last place tie on the table with the Western New York Flash, with a record of 1-3-4. Houston sits at fifth with a record of 2-2-3.
Sky Blue goes on the road to take on the Seattle Reign next week before getting the National Women’s Soccer League takes a break for the Group Stage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sky Blue will return home to Yurcak Field to host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, June 28.
