Looking to finish off the first half of the season on a bright note, two costly defensive mistakes sent Bay FC to a disappointing 2-1 loss on the road against Gotham FC.
“I think we outplayed them,” said Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya. “We probably deserved more than what we got, but that’s football, right?”
From the opening whistle, Bay was on the front foot and was justly rewarded for their aggression with a Penelope Hocking goal in the 11th minute.
Bay’s Taylor Huff crossed the ball in the penalty box. It eventually found the feet of Racheal Kundananji, who lofted the ball in front of the goal. A Gotham defender headed it out directly to Bay’s Hannah Bebar, who flicked the ball back into the box.
Penelope Hocking of Bay FC got onto the ball, pushed it around Gotham keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, and into the net for the early lead.
Kundananji had two golden chances in the 23rd and 27th minutes to convert a second goal for Bay FC, but as has been the issue often this season, she was unable to score.
Bay looked in complete control as the clock ticked past 30 minutes until defender Alyssa Malonson’s mistake changed the game’s complexion.
The ball was played back to Bay keeper Emmie Allen, who decided to play it short to Malonson, who was being pressured up high by Gotham’s Esther González. The Gotham forward got into the path of Malonson’s attempted pass and quickly converted the turnover for the tying goal.
A second defensive mistake in the 55th minute caused Bay to fall behind 2-1. Gotham defender Nealy Martin lofted a ball from distance over the Bay FC backline. It looked like an easy get for Bay center back Abby Dahlkamper, but she did not sense the run of Gotham forward Geyse, who snuck in around Dahlkamper’s blind side to steal the ball in the box and easily convert her 1v1 opportunity with Allen for the eventual game-winning goal.
“Not many people are happy about this loss,” said Hocking after the game. “We’ve been playing some good football. Things have been clicking, but we just haven’t been getting the results.”
With the loss, Bay FC ended the first half of the season on a disappointing note, in 10th place, and three points out of a potential playoff position.
“I told the team that we are in a much better spot than we were last year at this point,” added Montoya.
Bay’s next league match will be on August 2, when they face the Houston Dash at PayPal Park.
