Throughout the first half of the NWSL season, Bay FC has tantalized area soccer fans with its electric play while simultaneously traumatizing them with some head-scratching results. However, the home side put together its best 90 minutes of soccer on both sides of the ball and earned an impressive 1-0 victory over Angel City to take the season series against its SoCal rivals.

Here’s what we learned from the game.

The build-up to Bay FC’s goal was spectacular

When Bay FC’s team philosophy was birthed during their inaugural season, it was all about playing spectacular, attacking soccer and entertaining their fans. Saturday night was another example of their philosophy on full display.

After narrowly missing several goal-scoring attempts in the first half, Bay FC finally scored in the 33rd minute on a stunning combination that broke down Angel City’s defense.

Bay had several half attempts on goal off a corner kick while Angel City kept trying to clear the box. On one clearance, Bay FC’s Kiki Pickett chested down a ball to centerback Emily Menges out wide. Menges then cut the ball square to Dorian Bailey. After deeking that she would set the ball back out, Bailey sidefooted the ball back to Menges, who continued her run into the box unmarked.

As the Angel City defense attempted to scramble in coverage, Menges picked out a wide-open Tess Boade, who placed her shot out of the reach of goalie DiDi Haracic.

“Emily Menges is huge for us in second phases on corner kicks,” said Tess Boade in the postgame press conference. “She already has an assist, she could have several more. And so I mean, I think that was just a brilliant play by her.”

As the team continues to gell, expect more spectacular goals from Bay FC this season.

Defense becomes strength for Bay FC

Earlier this season, Bay would try to outscore the opposition in each game. But after giving up several leads late in matches, head coach Albertin Montoya said he would emphasize defense in training, which has paid big dividends.

The club allowed multiple goals in seven games in Bay FC’s first eight matches. In their last six games, they have only allowed multiple goals once.

With the defense playing so well, Montoya is actually facing some tough decisions, juggling all of the squad’s defenders so they all stay match-fit.

“They could all play and start,” Montoya noted after the game. “The fact that we have tried to find the right minutes, and also it seemed the right chemistry and who plays well with each other. But what I give credit to the team is we use some different players today. They weren’t maybe 90 minutes fit, because they haven’t had those opportunities, but that’s how we’re gonna help them build minutes.”

Alyssa Malonson has been so solid two ways as the left back that she has supplanted Savy King as the first choice. King found the field as the right back, with Caprice Dydasco getting a well-deserved day off.

The Iron Woman of the back line is Emily Menges, who passed 15,000 career NWSL minutes during the game.

In the center of the defense, Jen Beattie made her first start since May 5 and was solid in the back until being subbed out by Kaya Sharples for some fresh legs late in the game.

“The players that have been playing, they were they came in as substitutes,” added Montoya. “And they had an impact in the game. So they played for the team. And that’s what’s most important.”

It will continue to be a challenge for Montoya to get them all playing time, but it’s a challenge any coach would like to have.

With complete team effort, has Bay FC turned the corner?

In Bay FC’s inaugural match, they defeated Angel City 1-0. Saturday night’s scoreline was similar, but the way they achieved the win was completely different.

Back in March, Bay FC scored an early goal and rode some luck to win. Last night Bay FC was in control of the game almost from the kick off.

“They came out there stuck to the game plan, they had the right mentality,” said Montoya. “And we played some really good football.”

The club now shows a sophistication in tactics and execution that can only happen with a team playing together repeatedly.

“I think people underestimate time,” explained goalie Katelyn Rowland after the game. “It does take time to build chemistry, to build style of play to build consistency.”

Even compared to a week earlier when Bay FC attacked Utah from the start, the team pick and chose when to attack and when to come defend.

“When we go, we go, and we press, we’re pressing. I just think little things where maybe you’ve seen pieces for finally, tonight was hands down or most our best performance in our most complete performance,” added Rowland. “And I think we’re just it’s about time for us because it’s been it’s been a long time coming.”

Visitor supporters help create electric atmosphere at PayPal Park

For the first time in Bay FC’s short history, the club hosted a large, vocal contingent of visiting supporters. A few hundred Angel City fans traveled from Southern California to support their club. Along with the loud and vocal support of the Bay FC supporters and fans, it helped create an electric atmosphere at PayPal Park.

“I did tell the team we should be pissed off today. Let’s get after it. It’s a SoCal team,” said Montoya. “And let’s make sure we show them that we’re here to play.”

From the opening kick the fans were cheering on the club and later in the match Bay FC fans had several “Beat LA” chants.

“Everyone who comes here after the game says that was a damn hard environment to play in,” said Bay FC striker Tess Boade after the game.

Boade acknowledged the Angel City supporters, especially after some of her old teammates pointed them out to her. But she said she didn’t hear them, only the loud vocal support of the home side. “Our 16,000 fans totally dominated them,” she said with a smile.

Next up for Bay FC is an important road game on Saturday against Racing Louisville, a team they are now tied with in the standings. Their next game at home is on Saturday, July 6, against the Washington Spirit.