Washington Spirit 0-0 Sky Blue FC (Sky Blue FC advance 4-3 on penalties)
No matter the tournament, good goalkeeping always comes in handy during knockout games. On Saturday afternoon Sky Blue FC Kailen Sheridan once again proved this philosophy to be true. Facing one of the top attacking teams in the National Women’s Soccer League Sheridan made seven saves to help her side push past the Washington Spirit 4-3 on penalties.
After a tough result in the midweek over the North Carolina Courage, Sky Blue looked to start the first half with a bit of fire. Forward Ifeoma Onumonu and left back Jennifer Cudjoe early on made an immediate impact, using their speed and pace to make several darting runs down the left flank. That in turn pushed the Spirit center-backs left and gave their teammates space to operate in the attacking third. In just the third minute of the match Cudjoe hit a cross into the box for a surging Paige Monaghan, just missing the right midfielder.
Monaghan would have another excellent chance to give her side the advantage, collecting a pass from Onumonu down the right side and hammering a shot on target. However, Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was there to make the diving stop. After a few nervy moments early on, the Spirit defense found their rhythm and limited Sky Blue’s opportunities on goal for the remainder of the half.
On the attacking end, Washington was rather quiet through most of the first half. Given that the club was without midfielders Andi Sullivan, who tore her meniscus in Washington’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dash, and Rose LaVelle, who was being rested to limit her minutes, it was expected that there might be a bit of a learning curve. Their best chance early on came in the 13th minute when midfielder Dorian Bailey lifted a high cross into the box over Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Spirit forward Ashley Sanchez was there to trap it but was unable to maintain possession, giving Sheridan enough time to make the save.
Washington’s attack came alive though right before the end of the half. In the 42nd minute defender Tori Huster hit a low curving ball into the box for Sanchez. The Stanford alum connected on a diving header that appeared destined for the back of the net. However, Sheridan made a diving effort of her own, knocking her shot wide.
The two would face-off again just minutes later when Sanchez broke past the Sky Blue defense for a one-on-one chance against Sheridan. However, she was unable to get a shot before the Canadian international could make the driving stop. Sheridan made seven saves on the afternoon.
Washington continued to press the Sky Blue defense in the second half. In the 47th minute a Sanchez shot from distance just barely missed the top right corner of the goal. Yokoyama would have her own chance in the 53rd minute hitting a bullet from distance that went off of the bar. Natalie Jacobs was there for the rebound but Sheridan was there to make the save.
The Spirit’s best chance though came in the 73rd minute. A pass into the box from Bayley Feist found Tori Huster with space to operate. Although her toe poke looked promising, Sheridan made the kick save to keep the match level.
In penalties, the two sides matched goals before Domi Richardson and Kim Staab each missed their chance. Elizabeth Eddy, who came on late as a substitute for Sky Blue, hit the go-ahead goal in their fifth shot. While Feist hit a low shot that looked like it would force the two sides into sudden death, Sheridan once again came up big for Sky Blue making the save and booking their spot in the semifinals.
Washington Spirit- Aubrey Bledsoe, Tegan McGrady, Kim Staab, Paige Nielsen, Tori Huster, Natalie Jacobs (Rose LaVelle 62’), Bayley Feist, Dorian Bailey, Ashley Sanchez (Averie Collins 80’), Ashley Hatch, and Kumi Yokoyama (Crystal Thomas 62’)
Penalties-LaVelle (Goal), Hatch (Goal), Staab (Off the Bar), Thomas (Goal), Feist (Save)
Sky Blue FC- Kailen Sheridan, Imani Dorsey (Erica Skroskie 80’), Gina Lewandowski, Estelle Johnson, Midge Purce (Sabrina Flores 62’), McCall Zerboni, Jennifer Cudjoe (Domi Richardson 81’), Sarah Woldmoe, Naomi Kawasumi, Paige Monaghan (Elizabeth Eddy 81’), and Ifeoma Onumonu (Evelyne Viens 87’)
Yellow Card- Johnson (18’)
Penalties-Woldmoe (Goal), Kawasumi (Goal), Richardson (Save), Zerboni (Goal), Eddy (Goal),
Sky Blue FC
Washington Spirit
