Sky Blue hopes to break back into winning column against Boston

One team felt the thrill of victory with a stoppage time goal.

Another felt the heartbreak of defeat with a stoppage time goal.

And that’s the storyline when the Boston Breakers host Sky Blue FC tonight a Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium in Allston, Mass. First kick is 7 p.m.

Boston upended the previously undefeated Portland Thorns, 1-0, last week when Kristie Mewis scored the game-winner in the 93^rd minute. The last-minute win broke a 2-game losing streak for the Breakers and moved them to 2-3 on the season.

Sky Blue saw a wonderful effort with many, many offensive opportunities go up in flames on a stoppage time strike from Francisca Ordega to lift the Washington Spirit over the Sky Blue FC, 1-0. Ordega scored with a minute left in stoppage time.

"The players have responded incredibly well to the difficult result in Washington, "said Sky Blue FC coach Jim Gabarra. "We have had a very good week of training and look forward to a competitive match with Boston."

The Sky Blue FC put on their best performance of the season that night, outshooting Washington, 21-9 and registering eight corner kicks --- both season-highs.  Only a spectacular effort by Spirit goalkeeper Kelsey Wys kept the Sky Blue off the scoreboard.

Striker Nadia Nadim had much more room to roam and was dangerous in both halves. Midfielder Katy Freels also had impressive moments but was just of the mark twice.

Maya Hayes, a New Jersey native, also was impressive, moving from striker to outside back and marking Washington’s Crystal Dunn virtually out of the game.

"That was the best we’ve played all year and the most chances we have created all year," said Gabarra. "We had Maya Hates, who had never played right back before in her life, probably put in the best job at that position of any player in the league so far. I couldn’t not be any more proud of the way we played (Saturday). I am just disappointed for the players that they did not get what they truly deserved, and that is three points."

More free kicks: Sky Blue FC holds a 7-5-6 record in the series with Boston. However, Boston is 4-1-1 in the six matches played in Massachusetts. The Breakers lineup features Princeton University grad Lauren Lazo. The right back earned her first and professional minutes against Portland. The Breakers will be retire Leslie Osbourne’s #12 shirt and induct the former women’s national team player into Boston’s Pillar of Excellence.