PISCATAWAY, NJ — Kelley O’Hara scored twice in the first half and Samantha Kerr added one to lead Sky Blue FC over the Boston Breakers and off the bottom of the NWSL table. The 3-1 win before 2,067 at Yurcak Field moved the New Jersey side up to 7th place ahead of Portland Thorns FC and the Breakers, who sunk to last on their seventh consecutive match without a win.
While the Breakers were resting players–Katie Schoepfer and Stephanie McCaffrey started on the bench–for their third match in eight days, Sky Blue are just beginning to run out their best attacking players. O’Hara, playing in her second game since the World Cup, and Kerr in her third game ever for the club, were instrumental in Sky Blue pushing the issue almost immediately from the opening ball.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute after Katy Freels took the ball from Kassey Kallman and dribbled it into the right corner. With little pressure Freels lifted a cross to the center of the penalty area where O’Hara waited unmarked to head home her first goal of the season.
The lead doubled in the 36th minute. Christie Rampone put Kerr through a seem between Rachel Wood and Mollie Pathman. Kerr dribbled to the goal line and passed it in tight quarters to O’Hara who dropped off her mark Julie King and made a tough finish look easy with a one-timer to the roof.
The Breakers rarely threatened to get back in the match, often failing to make support runs or even to keep possession into midfield. Hope for a second half come back were dashed in the 52nd minute following a Sky Blue throw in. Cami Levin took the throw to O’Hara who dribbled out of pressure and found Hayley Haagsma. Haagsma sent a great diagonal ball to Kerr. Pathman tracked her down and made the tackle but Kerr was able to maintain possession and beat Alyssa Naeher with her second touch.
In the 82nd minute, Sky Blue coach Jim Gabarra sent rookie Aubrey Bledsoe on to spell Brittany Cameron. Unfortunately for Bledsoe her defense had an immediate breakdown and Lauren Lazo beat her with a right-footed laser.
Sky Blue (3-6-5, 14 pts) moved within four points of fourth place FC Kansas City. They are back at it against the Flash next Saturday at Yurcak. The Breakers (3-8-3, 12 pts) host Seattle Reign FC also next Saturday.
