NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
An early goal from Gotham FC determined Bay FC’s second consecutive loss on Wednesday night.
Two minutes into the match, defender Midge Purce was in the perfect spot for a tap-in goal from a set piece. Jaelin Howell headed the ball backwards and Purce was able to score through Bay’s defenders.
Bay FC was unhappy with the easy goal and immediately put the pressure on Gotham. Five minutes later, Cristiana Girelli headed a ball in the penalty area that Kennedy Fuller tapped in the back of the net through Gotham’s defense.
The crowd roared with excitement relieved the home team was able to equalize. After the celebrations referee Servando Berna Rico was called to the monitor for a VAR check. The team ruled Karli Lema offside and recalled the goal. The fans and head coach Emma Coates were shared confusion on the recalled goal.
“It’s tough to go down one nil down so early. I’m really confused for the decision of our disallowed goal,” Coates said postgame. “I’ve watched it back a couple of times, I [have] many questions.”
Abby Returns to the Pitch
Abby Dahlkemper returned for the first time in 403 games after having her son in February. She announced her pregnancy in November 2025 and was on maternity leave for the first half of the season. Coates said they will ease Dahlkemper into the rotation and manage her workload early on to build her physicality back.
“First off, I feel like just an immense like amount of gratitude and just yeah, I feel like when you have a child, your whole life kind of changes, and soccer is isn’t everything. And but I’m just appreciative to be able to come back and step back out on the field with this amazing group of of girls, and you know the club’s been so so supportive in whatever I need, and that’s helped me you know get back along the way, and I’m just taking it day to day, and just hopefully you know, one day I can look back with my son Eli and just hopefully make him proud.”
Strength of Schedule
With 14 games remaining Bay FC’s strength of schedule is in their favor. They face four opponents in the top eight, Orlando, Portland, Spirit, and Current – but have an opportunity to move up in the standings with victories or ties in the other 10 matchups. Bay currently sit at 14 with 18 points, but a victory could move them up as high as 9th.
Bay FC have a quick turnaround and face the Seattle Reign on Saturday afternoon. Seattle are currently 10th in the NWSL standings.
