Seattle Reign FC played Sky Blue FC at Starfire Sports Stadium tonight. The Reign had their hands full facing off with the 2nd place team in the league. They lost 2-0 to Sky Blue a little over a week ago at an away game in New Jersey.
The first half kicked off and the possession was pretty even. The first action came from a nicely hit volley by Reign’s, Teresa Noyola. Unfortunately for the Reign it missed just wide of the post. Just one minute later in the 8th minute, Sky Blue scored a goal to go up 1-0. Sky Blue took the ball up the field on a quick counter attack and Caitlin Foord played in a through ball to forward, Lisa De Vanna, who slotted it perfectly to the far post.
In the 17th minute, De Vanna ripped another shot to the far post, but this time it went just wide. Sky Blue really put the pressure on the Reign’s defense in the first half; they seemed to control the ball just a little bit better. The match went into half time with Sky Blue leading 1-0.
The second half began with a great scoring chance for the Reign. Forward, Tiffany Cameron, found herself on a breakaway, but the Sky Blue keeper came out and put an end to the breakaway with a hard collision. The Reign came out of half time with a bit more pep in their step and applied serious pressure on Sky Blue’s defense. However, Sky Blue was applying some pressure of their own.
In the 61st minute, Sky Blue was awarded a penalty kick when Lisa De Vanna was brought down in the box by the Reign’s defender, Jennifer Ruiz. Since this was Ruiz’s second yellow card offense she received a red card and had to leave the game. On the penalty kick, Reign’s goalkeeper, Haley Kopmeyer made a beautiful save to stop it and keep the Reign in the game. The play got more aggressive in the following minutes and multiple cards were given out to both teams.
In the 77th minute, Sky Blue was awarded a free kick just outside the 18 yard-box. Midfielder, Sophie Schmidt, hit an absolutely beautiful curling shot around the wall and into the side netting. The Reign’s goalkeeper could do nothing to stop it.
Once again, with just a few minutes left in the game, Sky Blue was awarded a free kick. The ball was whipped in from about 30 yards out towards the penalty mark. It was flicked on beautiful by the Sky Blue forward onto the midfielder, Taylor Lytle. She settled the ball calmly and then hit a volley over the Reign keeper and into the top of the net. The Reign had a couple chances in the last minutes but were unable to score on Sky Blue’s solid defense. The match ended 3-0.
Seattle Reign’s next home game is on May 25th against Portland Thorns FC. You can find the latest up to date news and season schedule here.
