NWSL Challenge Cup: No. 7 Sky Blue and Kailen Sheridan upset No. 2 Washington Spirit

Topics: NWSL Challenge Cup, Houston Dash, Utah Royals, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns, Washington Spirit, Sky Blue FC, Jane Campbell, Britt Eckerstrom, Kailen Sheridan

Goalkeepers carrying teams to the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals is officially the norm. Sky Blue’s Kailen Sheridan’s heroics matched those of Portland Thorn’s Britt Eckerstrom and Houston Dash’s Jane Campbell, ultimately helping Sky Blue win their first playoff game since 2013

First, it was Eckerstrom's clean sheet that allowed No. 8 Portland Thorns to upset No. 1 North Carolina Courage. Then came Campbell's two penalty saves that secured No. 4 Houston Dash a semifinal spot. And Sheridan carried on with the trend by making two penalty saves on Saturday's first game.

Washington Spirit captain Andi Sullivan tore her meniscus in her left leg leaving during the Spirit's previous game against the Dash. Sullivan's absence and a poor run in form ultimately let the Spirit in a brittle state.

However, Sky blue and the Washington Spirit played an awfully similar game to that of the Houston Dash and the Utah Royals on Friday night.

Spirit and Sky Blue players displayed a physical and competitive performance. The game had the chances to become a high scoring one, mostly from the Spirit, but Sheridan had other plans.

SAVE!Here's the big save from Sheridan before the hydration break.#WASvNJ | 0-0 | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/26ZwZadlIZ
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 18, 2020

Sheridan had a total of seven saves by the end of regulation time.

CLOSE UP on this Sheridan save! #WASvNJ pic.twitter.com/m6BZxbNS3g
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 18, 2020

The closest that the Spirit got to scoring was this nice effort from forward Kumi Yokoyama.

CROSSBAR Yokoyama!#WASvNJ | 0-0 | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/vWR5nJjZGe
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 18, 2020

Penalties

Sky Blue:

goal (Sarah Woldmoe)
goal (Nahomi Kawasumi)
saved (Dominique Richardson)
goal (McCall Zerboni)
goal (Elizabeth Eddy)

Washington Spirit:

goal (Rose Lavelle)
goal (Ashley Hatch)
missed (Samantha Staab)
goal (Crystal Thomas)
saved (Bayley Feist)

Take a look at the game-winning penalty save.

THE SAVE TO END IT! @Kailen_Sheridan comes up big #WASvNJ pic.twitter.com/Tarie1Y7uQ
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 18, 2020

Sky Blue FC will face the winner of the last quarterfinal game between the No. 3 OL Reign and No. 6 Chicago Red Stars. This match will kick-off on Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ET.