Western New York rallied for two second half goals to defeat Sky Blue 2-1 Saturday night at Yurak Field. Jaelene Hinkle converted a penalty and Samantha Mewis added the game-winner as the Flash came out strong after the half to recover their 1-0 deficit.
Sky Blue looked the better side in the first half, and were more composed in front of goal. Their breakthrough came in the 35th minute courtesy of Raquel Rodriguez’s through ball to Maya Hayes. Flash keeper Sabrina D’Angelo came out to cut the angle but Hayes placed her shot beautifully off the inside of the far post. It was her second goal of the season.
Western New York equalized in the 71st minute. Sky Blue cleared a free kick out of the box but the Flash sent it back into the area where it glanced off the arm of Erica Skroski. The referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Sky Blue keeper Caroline Stanley earned a yellow card for dissent, and Hinkle converted for her first of the season.
Both clubs had chances in the final quarter of play, but it was the Flash who came through in the 86th minute when Stanley went up to challenge Jessica McDonald for the ball lofted into the box. Unable to grab it cleanly, the ball ping-ponged and Mewis hammered it home. It was Mewis’s second goal of the season.
The Flash are now 2-2-0 (6 points) and will head to Orlando next Saturday. Sky Blue (1-2-1, 4 points) are winless in three. They host the Breakers this Friday night.
Sky Blue FC
