Bay FC ended its losing streak, but failed to pick up a road win Sunday against the NWSL’s worst team as it played to a scoreless draw with Chicago Stars FC at Martin Stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois.
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That point was in doubt late as Bay defender Aldana Cometti’s hand hit the ball on a Tessa Dellarose shot in stoppage time, but it was not ruled a handball upon quick review and Bay didn’t have to face a penalty kick.
Bay looked to have a late winner when Karlie Lema’s header from the left side in the 86th minute went into the net, but it was immediately ruled out as she was offside. Sydney Collins had floated a curling pass to Lema, who had come on as a substitute minutes earlier.
Offside calls also nullified apparent goals by Chicago’s Anna Gasper and Bay’s Alex Pfeiffer midway through the first half. Pfeiffer got a pass on the right edge of the box, cut inside and nailed a shot with her left foot. She was offside when Claire Hutton sent her the ball after dribbling through a trio of Chicago defenders.
Keira Barry shot over the bar late in the first half when keeper Jordan Silkowitz and Pfeiffer linked up to set up a chance on the break, then Pfeiffer’s hard-driven shot seven minutes after halftime was stopped by keeper Katie Atkinson.
In the 62nd minute, Kennedy Fuller pounced on a loose ball in the Chicago box due to some Stars miscommunication, but she shot wide right.
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Both teams saw losing streaks end: Bay had lost its last three, while Chicago hadn’t picked up a point in four. Bay FC remains 14th in the 16-team league with 19 points (5-9-4). The Stars are last with 13 points (4-13-1).
Atkinson made five saves, while Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz had just one, though Chicago was only outshot 14-13 overall. Bay FC created three big chances, and the Stars had none. Bay had 2.02 expected goals to Chicago’s 0.66, but in the end neither team capitalized.
Rookie center back Heather Gilchrist made her NWSL debut for Bay, which signed her to a three-year deal in December after her collegiate career ended with a national championship win over Stanford.
U.S. star Mallory Swanson came on in the 57th minute for Chicago, but came off in the 89th with an apparent knee injury.
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Next up for Bay is a visit to the Utah Royals on Friday night.
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