NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
March 24 – Bay FC made an impression on the league last year despite their first-round playoff loss. The club was known for its competitive drive, no matter the opponent, and PayPal Park was widely known for its boisterous fanbase.
21 players returned to the roster this season, along with five new additions to the team: “veteran defender and two-time NWSL Championship title winner Kelli Hubly, collegiate All-American midfielders Hannah Bebar and Taylor Huff, and local product and UC Berkeley standout Karlie Lema. 2025 marks Bebar, Huff, and Lema’s first professional seasons.” (Bay FC)
Karlie Lema scored her first breakaway goal of the season and of her NWSL career. Lema picked up speed and drove to the goal with Rachel Kundananji at her side for support, although she didn’t need it. Lema is familiar with scoring goals like this and it’s something she was known for during her time at Cal.
What a score by the rookie, Karlie Lema
Bay Fc lead 2-0 at halftime pic.twitter.com/PDbN2jPKup
— Ashmere (@ashmereprasad) March 23, 2025
“I’ve definitely done this a few times before, but I think this time was a little farther out. My teammates were like, ‘You have a great shot, so just take the shot!’ I listened to them and shot it, and it went in.”
Coach Albertin Montoya was hesitant about her choice to attack the goal at first, saying, “No, don’t shoot, you’re too far! Oh, okay, good job, don’t listen to me.” Although it was risky for the rookie, Montoya wants his players to feel confident in their decision-making and believe in themselves when big moments like that come around.
There were a few starters from last year who did not take the field on Saturday, two major names being Asisat Oshoala and Tess Boade (C). Last season Bay highly depended on their top stars to play a full match, but this season Montoya has a wider variety of depth to work with.
“I think right now we have 25 starters, I really do. And in every single game right now, we are going to see changes to the lineup quite often because they are capable of doing it, and teams won’t know what we’re going to throw at them.”
Last season, this team was known for their competitive start and ability to score early but inability to close out games. Although we are only two games in, these first two matches have shown different stamina on defense and the depth this upgraded roster has in store.
The team will travel to Washington and take on Olympic Gold Medalist Trinity Rodman and the Spirit on Friday evening. The Spirit lost to the Kansas City Current on Saturday 2-0; they only lost two games at home last season. This matchup will be competitive and fierce, and everyone is eager to see who Montoya puts in the starting lineup.
