Bay FC sweeps season series from Angel City

Bay FC assured themselves of one bragging right in its inaugural season.

Welcoming Angel City to San Jose for the first time, Bay FC is turning out to be kryptonite to one of its Southern California rivals. Bay FC withstood some early chances from Angel City, then got a first half goal from Tess Boade  and made it stood, and Bay FC got the 1-0 win at PayPal Park.

“We had our opportunities to put them away and we had our ability to not let the ball go in the back of the net,” Angel City’s Megan Reid said. “We faltered in the moment and they hurt us.”

The win is already Bay FC’s second against Angel City (4-7-3, 15 points), and it gives them the series win over the Los Angeles-based club in just its first season in NWSL. More important for Bay FC (5-9-0, 15 points), the result forges a four-way tie for the eighth and final playoff spot between them Angel City, its other in-state rival, San Diego Wave FC and Racing Louisville.

“We only have ourselves to look at. This league is hard, and you can’t feel sorry for yourself,” Angel City head coach Becki Tweed said. “You have to move forward and move on. If we finished this game nil-nil, we would still be disappointed. The fact that we conceded another soft goal is disappointing and it comes down to not taking the two chances we had early on.”

The moment came for Bay FC in the 33rd minute. Dorian Bailey and Emily Menges worked a one-two that freed up Menges to get into the penalty area, Menges played a ball to a trailing Boade, who then fired a shot that went between the legs of Asisat Oshoala and past keeper Didi Haracic into the back net to give Bay FC the lead.

Angel City came out firing to start the match. Gisele Thompson had the game’s first chance just two minutes in, as Clarisse Le Bihan sprung her down the rights side, Thompson then deked Alyssa Malonson on her way in to the penalty area, Thompson then sent a dangerous ball towards goal, but neither M.A. Vignolia or Sydney Leroux were able to make contact with the ball, which went over the end line.

Angel City continued to stay aggressive throughout the early stages of the match. Angel City had another chance in the 15th minute, as Claire Emslie crossed into the penalty area, Vignolia headed a ball that deflected off a Bay FC defender, but fell to the feet of Leroux inside the six yard box, Leroux immediately fired off her left foot, but keeper Katelyn Rowland didn’t flinch, and calmly made the save. The one chance that Angel City really wants back was the one that came in the 29th minute, as Thompson crossed for Le Bihan inside the 18, but Le Bihan dummied a ball for Rocky Rodriguez, and she shot a ball that hit off the upper far post.