Bay FC had a disappointing restart of the NWSL season after suffering their second almost inexplicable loss to the last-place Utah Royals this year.
After controlling the play in the first half, two defensive mistakes doomed Bay FC early in the second half, and they lost 2-1.
“So this one hurts. I mean, they all hurt, but this one that we deserved more than than what we got,” said Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya after the game.
In the first half, Bay FC dominated the possession and created few quality goal-scoring chances despite many free-kick and corner opportunities.
Shortly after the break, a defensive miscue gave the home Royal’s side, which had been content to press on the counter, the lead.
Bay FC left-back Savy King’s clearance was intercepted at midfield by Utah’s Ana Tejada, who quickly passed it across the field to teammate Paige Monaghan. Her defender, Caprice Dydasco, gave Monaghan too much space, and she placed a shot from distance past Bay keeper Katelyn Rowland.
Seven minutes later the Bay defense could not clear the ball cleanly, and finally, it fell to the feet of newly signed Royals and Japanese international Mina Tanaka.
Tanaka crossed the ball in front of the goal, but unfortunately, it bounced off Bay center-back Emily Menges and into the goal, resulting in a 2-0 deficit.
“You concede early on, it’s going to create some problems,” said Montoya. “They gain confidence, and we were just kind of a little bit unsure.”
Bay FC continued to possess for the next twenty minutes but didn’t pressure Utah until they changed to a three-back defense, subbing off Jean Beattie and adding Asisat Oshoala up top.
Finally, in the 85th minute, Rachel Hill crossed the ball to Rachel Kundananji in the box, whose expertly placed header allowed Bay to sneak back within a goal.
“Kundanji is just a pleasure to watch,” said Montoya. “She just loves the game and will play every single minute.”
The referee awarded ten minutes of extra time, and Oshoala almost scored the tying goal in the final minute, but her shot off a corner was deflected and then saved off the line by Utah defender Zoe Burns.
Bay will have to hope that it doesn’t rue these two losses to the Royals at the end of the season as they chase a playoff spot. Two of Utah’s three wins this season have been against the Bay, which has earned the Royals six of their twelve points.
“But that’s the game, and now we just got to get right back at it and go and do it in Portland, which is going to be tough one,” noted Montoya. “But as I’ve always said, with this team, we like to make it difficult and make it harder on ourselves, but we some somehow find a way, and I know they will.”
