Late penalty kick gives Sky Blue FC draw with Seattle Reign, 1-1

The way the Sky Blue FC were going offensively, they’ll take anything they’re given.

Tonight, it was a 90^th minute penalty kick by Nadia Nadim. The Danish international made no mistake and Sky Blue FC drew with Seatle Reign, 1-1.

The goal ended nearly 210 minutes of scoreless soccer and also broke the team’s two-game losing streak.

The penalty kick was called after a flurry of shots in close off a corner kick that resulted in a hand ball on Jessica Fishlock. The penalty was called after the center official and assistant referee consulted for a bit.

In the five minutes of added time, both teams had chances to score again and gain three points. But neither team could take advantage of offensive flurries.

The goal came after a familiar script appeared to be sending the Sky Blue to a 1-0 defeat.

For nearly 90 minutes, Seattle was in relative control but couldn’t get a shot past Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Brittany Cameron. Cameron, who has been stellar every game, was the main reason the score was tied for most of the game.

Seattle scored in the 76^th minute when defender Lauren Barnes hit a 25-yard shot off a cleared corner kick. Barnes’ shot found its way through the defense and into the net

Cameron was at her best in the 52^nd minute when Jessica Fishlock sent a ball to Merritt Mathias who blasted a point blank range shot that Cameron punched out. Keelin Winters lasered the rebound but Cameron again punched it out before it was cleared.

Cameron kept things clean early in the game. In the 8^th minute, the Sky Blue FC goalkeeper made a great diving save on a hard shot by Kim Little. A minute later, rookie midfielder Sarah Killion headed one out of the net.

A half-hour in, Jessica Fishlock picked up an errant Sky Blue FC pass and Cameron was forced to make a diving save.

Sky Blue FC’s offense was a step off all night. Nadia Nadim, who scored in the opening-match, was double-teamed most of the night.

Before the penalty kick, the Sky Blue’s best chance came when second-half substitute Maya Hayes went down just inside the penalty box but no call was made, despite protests from the Sky Blue sideline.

The Sky Blue will try to break back in the win column next Saturday in Washington.