Sky Blue to Host the Spirit

By Sean McCaffery, October 2, 2020

They finished last season at the home of RBNY, they will play tomorrow in the home of RBNYII, Montclair State at 12:30p.m. ET, watch along on Twitch. Due to the ongoing pandemic this game is to be played before none of the team's faithful, there will of course be a a virtual tailgate.

It has been one year and 4 day since the last home game for this team. They are taking on the Spirit featuring Sam Staab who we interviewd after she was drafted into the NWSL for the 2nd time during this Fall Series. Sept. 5 saw Sky Blue take a 2-1 goal as Midge Purce tucked away the PK in the 92'.

As for the Spirit since the opener with Sky Blue, they have gained 4 points, 9/12 had them topping the Red Stars by the same scoreline as Feist & Scarpa netted. These 2 went at it again just last weekend a 1-1 resultĀ  as the Spirit knotted it up at 89'. Thus far in all their Fall Series matches, they have only scored after the 70' mark, Sky Blue must stay alert whistle to whistle. Ashley Sanchez who had her first pro minutes in the Challenge Cup has spearheaded the attack with setting herself as a starter. She is joined by yet another first year player in Jessie Scarpa, though injuies have limited her time in the Fall to but 15' she has made her mark. Sept. 12 she struck for the winn,er she will be testing the Sky Blue back line each and every minute she gets this weekend. The soild midfield led by Feist and Bailey have been together every minute of these fall games with Bayoey getting a goal off 5 shots over these 3 games. Dorian is perfect with her tackles and 60% of her duels have been wins. As mentioned Sam Stabb & Paige Nielsen both in the 2nd year with the team form the spine in the back and since arriving have both started most games, Paige getting the PK goal v Sky Blue on the 5th.

Sky Blue is more than ready for this game as they seek to improve from the 4-1 drubbing suffered a the feet of the Red Stars on Sept. 20. They trust they are able to correct errors from that day given the 2 weeks of training since. Their foward Ifeoma Onumonu is expected to be high pressing and link with the midfield, she has 6 shots great for 2 goals a tremendous 33% rate of shots gooing in and seeks another goal to go with those from the first 2 games. Purce will join her up front who had spent the Challenge Cup in the defense, she had the winning goal v Washington and has 5 shots on the year. The midfield is lead by Sarah Woldmoe, the captain and her 80% success rate on tackles to go with 70% rate on duels should bode well for her team. An amazing 100% success rate on her long passes is unreal, they may be key to springing the forwards. In the back Imani Dorsey hopes to spark the attack from the back. Mandy Freeman another defender should get more time, she also is perfect, not having lost a tackle yet. Possibly the strongest of positions is in goal with Kailen Sheridan of the Canadian National Team. Voted to have the Save of the Week in the opener for her kick save, she was the Golden Glove winner in the NWSL Challenge Cup.

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