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Independence win not picture perfect

Independence coach Paul Riley said last week's 2-1 loss at Washington was his team's best performance of the season.

Independence coach Paul Riley said last week's 2-1 loss at Washington was his team's best performance of the season.

Riley's reaction was just as surprising Sunday after a 2-1 win over New Jersey, the defending Women's Professional Soccer champion.

"I thought it was the worst game of the season and thought we were atrocious," said Riley.

The coach said his team controlled possession probably 75 percent of the time last week and only 25 percent in the win over Sky Blue FC on Sunday.

The Independence (4-2-2) were playing without midfielder Caroline Seger, who was forced to sit after earning a red card last week. Defender Heather Mitts was sidelined with a knee injury. Mitts is expected back for Sunday's home game against Marta and FC Gold Pride.

Although Sky Blue (3-3-2) controlled the ball for long stretches, the Independence, led by central defenders Allison Falk and Sara Larsson, did not allow the visitors to finish off plays.

Falk agreed with Riley that this was not the Independence's best effort.

"It's great to get a W at the end of the day, but you would rather get a W and play well, and this wasn't our best game," Falk said.

Sky Blue may have been the best passing team the Independence has seen.

"I think they are the best team we've played," Riley said.

Sky Blue has been without U.S. national team star and Delran High graduate Carli Lloyd, who played three games before suffering a broken left ankle.

"I've just been cleared to begin running but I don't know how long it will be before I get back," Lloyd said.

Midfielder Lori Lindsey opened the scoring in the second minute of the game at West Chester University. Lindsey took a pass from Amy Rodriguez and, from 25 yards out on the left side, hooked a shot inside the far post.

Sky Blue answered in the 10th minute when Laura Kalmari scored her team-leading fourth goal.

The game-winner came on a give-and-go from Rodriguez to Lianne Sanderson back to Rodriguez, who scored in the 28th minute. Rodriguez beat keeper Karen Bardsley to the ball and just got enough of it to tap it in for her second goal of the season.