CARSON, CA — Sky Blue FC completed its storybook rise from bottomfeeder to league champion with a dramatic, 1-0 victory over a valiant, 10-woman Los Angeles Sol side, whose remarkable season ended in bitter disappointment at their home park. Heather O’Relly earned MVP honors by scoring the match’s only goal in the 16th minute and later contributing a dazzling slide tackle to dispossess Aya Miyama during a dangerous sequence early in the second half of the inaugural WPS Championship Match.
“It’s a special team we have here with Sky Blue,” said Christie Rampone, who began the season as team captain and ended it as the interim player/coach. “It was a great run for us just battling back to get into the playoffs.”
Los Angeles Sol (12-4-5) vs. Sky Blue FC (8-8-5)
Saturday, August 22, 2009 — Home Depot Center
FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
LA: 0
NJ: 1
NJ: Heather O’Reilly 3 (Natasha Kai) 17′
LOS ANGELES SOL LINEUP
Karina LeBlanc, Manya Makoski, Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Stephanie Cox, McCall Zerboni (Sharlota Nonen, 36′), Aly Wagner (Katie Larkin, 63′), Shannon Boxx, Aya Miyama, Marta, Han Duan (Lyndsey Patterson, 79′)
Substitutes Not Used: Liz Bogus, Johanna Frisk, Val Henderson, Keri Sanchez
SKY BLUE FC LINEUP
Jenni Branam, Keeley Dowling, Jen Buczkowski, Christie Rampone, Meghan Schnur, Kacey White, Yael Averbuch, Francielle, Heather O’Reilly (Noelle Keselica, 84′), Rosana (Collette McCallum, 72′), Natasha Kai (Kerri Hanks, 68′)
Substitutes Not Used: Cori Alexander, Kelly Parker, Julianne Sitch, Katie Hooker
GAME STATS LA-NJ
Shots 8-12
Shots on Goal 4-5
Fouls 10-10
Offsides 3- 1
Corner Kicks 6-5
Saves 4-4
TEAM STATS
Los Angeles
New Jersey
MISCONDUCTS
LA: Allison Falk (Ejection) 27′
LA: Brittany Bock (Caution) 52′
ATTENDANCE
7218
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