In its inaugural USL W League match, the Annapolis Blues women’s team was able to stave off a Virginia Beach United FC comeback, winning 3-2. A roster sprinkled with local talent selected by Head Coach Ashly Kennedy built upon the historic success of Naptown’s well-established soccer club.
From the moment the first whistle blew, there was something special in the coastal air for the Blues.
The first corner kick opportunity came for the Blues, just six minutes in. Slicing the ball, Gabby Wisbeck’s impressive delivery would prove to be the opening goal. The left-footed outside back dropped the ball on the back post, catching the VBU defender off guard. The defender’s attempted clearance with her knee would ultimately put the ball into the back of her own net. Wisbeck was credited with the goal, putting Annapolis up 1-0 after seven minutes of play, as her corner kick was delivered on target.
Generating most of the attacking opportunities from the wings, Sabba Haghgoo found herself on the end of a through ball along the right flank. The Big South Freshman of the Year was fouled as she cleverly let the ball run past her, anticipating the contact. Captain Sarah Martin stepped up to the freekick, sending in a ball from 12 yards outside the box. Making its way to the back post, the ball fell to the leg of Kelsey Smith, a University of Maryland product, who kneed the ball across the face of the goal. Her pass found Payton Patrick who, having been the biggest threat for the Blues early on, easily tapped in her first goal of the season to double the Blues’ lead after 11 minutes.
In the 25th minute, Patrick secured her brace. Running in behind VBU’s back line, Patrick found herself on the end of a lifted through ball from the Blues’ backline, played by Meghan Bernetti. The University of Central Florida attacker rose like a salmon out of water, beating the onrushing VBU goalkeeper and heading the ball into the back of the net.
Smith nearly extended the lead to four in the 33rd minute. Getting on the end of a stray VBU pass roughly 35 yards out, she drove towards goal. Dancing her way through, the US Women’s Futsal National Team player beat two defenders and found herself inside the box. She fired home a shot to the bottom right corner, but was met by the palm of VBU goalkeeper Robbi Curry who pushed it away and out of danger.
VBU pulled one back in the 42nd minute. VBU’s attacking charge played a clever one-two at the top of the box with Rachel Walters’ final pass splitting the defense. Sakiko Manabe, who has scored in back-to-back matches, was in on goal. Rushing out to challenge Manabe, Blues goalkeeper Abigail Makela was beat by a quickly taken, low shot to the bottom right corner.
In stoppage time of the first half, Patrick found herself in a similar scenario to her second goal, but with a different outcome. This time, Curry and Patrick arrived at the same time, colliding with each other, resulting in Patrick being carted off the pitch. Outside of the final opportunity, the defense was sound and limited VBU to only two shots through the first 45.
Both sides opted to substitute their goalkeepers, proving critical in the early stages of the second half. One minute in, VBU intercepted a pass in the middle of the field. Anaya Lozano played a through ball that found the feet of Maria Hernandez, splitting the center back and left back. Hernandez dribbled in, one-on-one with Kyleigh Bland, and fired home a shot into the bottom left corner, beating Bland on her first action of the game.
As the game progressed, so did the physicality. The second half alone saw three yellow cards given out, a stark contrast to the one in the first half and over double the amount of fouls. Both teams generated a handful of half-chances throughout the remainder of the half, however neither side would add to its tally, resulting in a 3-2 win for the Annapolis Blues in its inaugural USL W League match.
The 82nd minute saw the best chance for the half come from Smith for the Blues. Picking up the ball 40 yards out from goal, the winger darted towards the goal, driving right down the throat of VBU’s defense. Letting go from 20 yards, she fired a shot that was headed for the top right side netting, but hit the post and bounced out.
Remaining on the road, the women face off against Charlottesville Blues FC on May 24th, slated for a 5 p.m. kickoff. The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will see summer soccer return on May 31st, with a double-header day. The men open up play at 5 p.m., followed by the women at 7:30 p.m.
