Struggles Continue for Breakers
- Updated: July 26, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
A first-half brace from U.S. Women’s National Team star Kelley O’Hara put the Breakers in a hole they weren’t able to climb out of in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.
O’Hara, who also played for the Breakers in 2011, opened the scoring in the 13th minute before doubling the Sky Blue lead in the 36th minute. Samantha Kerr widened the gap to three in the 52nd minute while rookie defender Lauren Lazo claimed the Breakers’ lone measure of success when she found the back of the net in the 84th minute.
The loss extended the Breakers’ winless streak to seven games (0-5-2) and currently sit in last place. The win allowed Sky Blue to extend its recent run of success by going unbeaten in their third straight game.
Facing heavy pressure from the hosts, it took only 13 minutes before the Breakers made their first critical mistake. After losing possession in the midfield, Katy Freels grabbed it and raced down the right flank before launching a cross for O’Hara, who tapped it through to put Sky Blue ahead.
O’Hara scored again not long after when she a got a hold of a cross from Kerr and buried it from point blank to put the Breakers into a two-goal deficit going into halftime.
Shortly after the break, Kerr took on the role of scorer to put the game out of the Breakers’ reach. Hayley Haagsma sent a ball over the top for Kerr, who beat the backline, then went alone on keeper Alyssa Naeher before chipping it over and into the back of the net in the 52nd minute.
With little else but pride to play for in the waning moments, the Breakers pulled one back in the 84th minute. Brazilian International Rafinha toed the endline before cutting it centrally for Lazo, who fired it through for her first professional goal.
The Breakers will return to action on Saturday, Aug. 1 when they host the Seattle Reign at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm.
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