Sky Blue FC takes a tough loss against Western New York Flash

Sky Blue FC (1-2-1, 4 points) suffered another tough loss at home this week against Western New York Flash (2-2-0, 6 points) at home.

The match started out with an invigorating back and forth between teams, with Sky Blue FC making some promising chances. However, they either missed the mark or the Flash's defense and their keeper did a good job keeping it out of the back of the goal. But, in the 35^th minute, Raquel Rodriguez made a pass to Maya Hayes who made the shot, giving SBFC the lead. For the goal, Hayes was named Pine Belt of Lakewood's Player of the Match at the game's end.

Hayes was also taken off the field momentarily in the 50^th minute to be checked out by trainers after a collision, but returned to play at the 52^nd. There continued to be great back and forth between the teams, both getting good chances. And in the 71^st minute Hinkle scored for the Flash off of a penalty kick, tying it up 1-1.

Sky Blue FC continued to take every available chance, but Flash goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo was there to make the save. In the 85^th minute WNY's Samantha Mewis made the second and winning goal for the Flash after she collected a ball that Sky Blue keeper Caroline Stanley had deflected and turned it back, just past the keeper's guard.

Sky Blue FC Head Coach Christy Holly made a statement after the game, stating: "It is disappointing to suffer another loss at home. This is not something that sits well with us, we showed a very good performance in the first half. In the second half, we had the opportunity to establish a foothold in the game, and we just did not do it. There were moments where we showed our lack of experience at this level, and we were ultimately punished for it. We will now sit down to discuss this match so we can make the proper adjustments as we start preparing for next week."

Sky Blue FC is back at home on Friday May, 13 when they host the Boston Breakers. All fans who eat at Quaker Steak and Lube before the game will get free parking for the match.

Sky Blue FC Starting XI: Caroline Stanley; Kelley O'Hara, Erica Skroski, Christie Rampone (C), Erin Simon; Taylor Lytle (Kelly Conheeney, 62'), Nikki Stanton, Sarah Killion, Raquel Rodriguez (Danielle Schulmann, 76'); Tasha Kai, Maya Hayes (Shawna Gordon, 82')

Subs Not Used: Caroline Casey, Ashley Nick, Kim DeCesare

Head Coach: Christy Holly

Western NY Flash Starting XI: Sabrina D'Angelo, Elizabeth Eddy, Samantha Mewis, Abby Erceg, Jeon Ga Eul (Michaela Hahn, 68'), Alanna Kennedy, Taylor Smith (Kristen Hamilton, 84'), Abby Dahlkemper, Jessica McDonald, Jaelene Hinkle, Adriana Leon (Makenzy Doniak, 68')

Subs Not Used: Britt Eckerstrom, Lady Andrade, Courtney Niemiec, Meredith Speck

Head Coach: Paul Riley

4 yellow cards were issued during this game:

4^th minute, Abby Dahlkemper (WNYF)

41^st minute, Nikki Stanton (SBFC)

71^st minute, Caroline Stanley (SBFC)

90+3^rd, Kristen Hamilton (WNYF)