For the seventh time in as many games against the Washington Spirit over the last three years, Bay FC lost Sunday in a back-and-forth affair at Audi Field in the nation’s capital.
Read more Stanford survives punch from Hawaii, faces quick week and top opponent Miami next
Bay FC fell behind in first-half stoppage time when Paige Metayer cleaned up a Trinity Rodman strike that struck the crossbar and bounced off the goal line. Metayer beat Bay defender Jenna Nighswonger to the ball at the right post to knock it into the goal behind Jordan Silkowitz.
Rodman, the U.S. national team star, had picked up the ball on the left sideline and cut in to beat two Bay defenders and rifle a shot from the left side of the 6-yard box.
Just a few minutes earlier, Bay had created its best chance of the game when Taylor Huff sent a low cross to Karlie Lema in the middle of the box and Lema’s arcing touch finish struck the crossbar and bounced out.
Bay created pressure throughout the second half seeking an equalizer, but could not find the back of the net. Claire Hutton stung a shot from outside the box that was saved, and Cristiana Girelli nearly tied it with a looping header later.
Read more Google Maps changes Lake Ontario label to Lake America in U.S.
Bay also had a strong chance early when Alex Pfeiffer found herself with space in the center of the box, but her driven shot was saved by Sandy MacIver, who had four stops on the game. Silkowitz finished with three.
Pfeiffer led the third-year club with five shots – two on goal – before being subbed off in the 69th minute for Racheal Kundananji. Each team had four shots on target, and Bay had 52% possession.
Bay (6-10-5, 23 points) sits 13th in the NWSL standings with eight games remaining in the season, five points behind Seattle Reign FC for the eighth and final playoff spot. Washington (12-7-3) climbed to second in the league with 41 points, winning for the first time in five games.
Next up for Bay FC is a home match Friday night at PayPal Park against the Kansas City Current.
Read more Gore might lead next wave of 49ers greats into the Hall of Fame
About the Author
