PISCATAWAY, NJ– Seattle Reign FC (4-0-0, 12 pts) remain unbeaten following their 2-0 away victory over Sky Blue FC (0-2-2, 2 pts) on Wednesday, April 30 at Yurack Field in Piscataway, N.J.

As heavy rain played a huge factor in limiting both teams attack, Japanese international Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi led the way for Reign FC registering her first goal of the season and added an assist.

Naho opened the game’s scoring in the 24th minute, after Kelley O’Hara passed back to Sky Blue keeper Jillian Loyden who miss-kicked her clearance attempt and Naho put home an easy strike for a 1-0 lead.

Looking to get one back forward Katy Freels floated in a free kick for Monica Ocampo towards the back post but Reign FC keeper Hope Solo came off her line to smother the opportunity.

Throughout the match Reign FC’s backline did an excellent job neutralizing Sky Blue’s leading scorer Monica Ocampo.

In the 38th minute, Beverly Goebel had a chance to put home her first goal for Reign FC but placed her strike across the face of goal.

Second half, Goebel linked up with her INAC Kobe Leonessa teammate Naho for her first of the season. Naho’s pass beat Loyden and Goebel finished with a simple tap in from six yards out.

Just eight minutes later Goebel received a through ball from Kim Little inside the box and chipped it over Loyden but Christie Rampone cleared the ball off the line to deny Goebel of a second.

Canadian international Sophie Schmidt battled with Solo all night, hitting three shots from range on goal but all were easily handled by the keeper.

“The clean sheets have come because of how hard we work defensively,” said head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We defend as a team from top to bottom and it all starts with Hope.”

After Reign FC was called for a handball inside the box, Schmidt had her chance to finally put one past Solo as she stepped up to the spot. However Solo saved Schmidt’s 86th minute penalty kick to hold on for the clean sheet and Seattle’s fourth straight victory of the season.

“This was a big test for us to show how far we’ve come as a team,” Harvey said. “We proved we have the ability to win any kind of game.”

Reign FC continues their East Coast road swing on Saturday, May 3 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD; kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (PT) with a live, high-definition webstream available at YouTube.com/NWSL.

Visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC for details on single match tickets.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Sky Blue FC April 30, 2014 – Yurcak Field (Piscataway, N.J.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Seattle Reign FC 1 1 2

Sky Blue FC 0 0 0

Scoring Summary

SRFC – Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi, 24

SRFC – Beverly Goebel (Naho), 50

Misconduct Summary

SBFC: Camille Levin (Caution), 64

Lineups & Stats

SRFC: GK Hope Solo, D Lauren Barnes, D Kendall Fletcher, D Stephanie Cox, M Elli Reed, M Kim Little, M Jess Fishlock, M Keelin Winters, F Beverly Goebel (Kate Deines, 81), F Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi (Danielle Foxhoven 85), F Sydney Leroux.

SBFC: GK Jillian Loyden , D Kelley O’Hara, D Caitlin Foord, D Christie Rampone, D Ashley Nick , M Coco Goodson, M Sophie Schmidt, M Nanase Kiryu (Maya Hayes, 76), M Katy Freels (62), F Taylor Lytle (Joelle Filigno 63), F Monica Ocampo (Camille Levin 63).

Referee: Matthew Franz

Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Jasmine Peralta

4th Official: Neil Barbulescu

Attendance: 582

Weather: Rainy, windy, 58 degrees



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