NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
April 1—Bay FC lost its first season game at Audi Field on Friday night, 2-0, to the Washington Spirit. Ashley Hatch scored both goals for the Spirit, passing Jess McDonald for the fifth-most regular season goals in NWSL history (Washington Spirit)
Leicy Santos with the dime ?
Ashley Hatch with the header to seal the deal ? pic.twitter.com/2SMOSrmbxH— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 29, 2025
This matchup was a tale of two halves for both teams. In the first half, Bay FC took a more conservative approach, which gave the Spirit plenty of room to attack. In the second half, Bay FC added Rachel Kundananji, and Karlie Lema, into the lineup to attack and score. Bay’s defense continued to hold on in the second half and held the Spirit to an hour with no-shot attempts.
As expected, this was a chippy matchup between the two teams, and Bay had two chances to tie things up in the second half. Taylor Huff carried the ball to the top of the 18-yard box and sent a low shot into the right corner of the net. Unfortunately, the goal was called back after a VAR review declared a foul on Kundananji in transition.
In the 86th minute, Taylor Huff crossed the ball to Asisat Oshala and scored, but the goal was removed because of an offsides call. When comparing her position before the ball is in play and afterward, Oshala appears to be onside.
Although the result was not what Bay FC was looking for, coach Albertin Montoya was pleased with the second-half effort. “First half, we started well in the first 10 minutes, possessing the ball and playing the way we wanted to play. And then credit to Washington, that’s why they’re such a good team, they made it difficult for us and got a couple of goals. But in the second half, we responded exactly as expected. We came out on the front foot, we created all sorts of problems for them and I thought we were actually the much better team.”
The NWSL will break for the FIFA international window until matches resume on April 12th. Bay FC will head home to face the Chicago Stars, who are currently winless.
