Setting a USL W attendance record, a crowd of 7,289 flocked to Maryland’s capitol city to watch its first-ever professional women’s soccer team play its first match at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
In the 14th minute, Sarah Martin played a lifted through ball from her own defense end, finding Baylee DeSmit in behind the back line. DeSmit drove into the box and released her shot once she hit the six-yard box but was saved by the onrushing Ivy goalkeeper. The rebound fell to the feet of Sabba Haghgoo whose first time shot rocketed off the crossbar, nearly putting the Blues up early on.
Abby Makela was first called on in the 28th minute but was equal to the task. The UNC Charlotte goalkeeper made a low diving save to her right off an Ivy shot from roughly 12 yards out.
All in all, the first half did not see many attacking chances as neither side was able to put its true stamp on the match. The Blues remained more dominant, maintaining 56 percent of the possession and tallying five shots through the first 45.
Coming out of the break, Sarah Flammia created the first chance of the half for the Ivy. Receiving the ball in space, Flammia took her luck and fired at goal from the edge of the box. Makela was equal to it once again, making a strong diving save that pushed the ball over the bar.
The 69th minute saw another strong chance for the Blues, as Hanna Phillips launched in a deep free kick, near midfield, from the right flank. The ball made its way towards the opposite side of the box, bouncing between defenders and attackers. Delaney DeMartino was able to get the decisive touch, with her first time shot rifling off the cross bar, coming inches from breaking the prolonged stalemate.
On brand with Annapolis Blues’ substitutes making an instant impact, Sophie Thibeault scored the game winning goal in the 76th minute to put the Blues up 1-0. A consistent attacking threat led to a corner kick for Annapolis, taken on the right side of the field. The inswinging corner created mass chaos as it dropped right on the face of goal. Bouncing around in the six-yard box, it took three deflections before falling at the feet of Thibeault, a second half substitute, who tapped it in.
Makela came up big for the Blues, doing all she could in the 84th minute to keep her clean sheet. Jill Flammia unleashed a shot from over 30 yards out that dipped and swerved but ultimately missed the right corner by inches, bouncing off the crossbar and back into play. The rebound was met instantly by Sarah Rosenbaum who took one touch, prepping her opportunity. Releasing a shot, Makela was able to get up from her initial dive, set her feet and make the save on Rosenbaum at the near post, keep the game at bay.
Staying at home, the Blues will take on Charlottesville Blues FC for the second time this season on June 4th, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. The women will return to action just a few days later, taking on Virginia Atlantic WFC on June 7th at 5 p.m.
