Alyssa Malonson blasted a beautiful goal from a tight angle to give Bay FC a 1-0 victory over the visiting Portland Thorns at PayPal Park.
After a back-and-forth first half where both teams had several chances, the deciding strike was delivered in the 39th minute.
Bay FC’s Taylor Huff received the ball at midfield and was able to run in towards the box. She played a couple of combination passes with Penelope Hocking at the top of the box, before Hocking found a streaking Malnonson out wide. Hocking delivered a well-weighted pass to Malonson’s path, who blasted her shot with her left foot into the roof of the goal’s net, which Thorns keeper Bella Bixby had no chance to stop.
“It was an awesome first goal,” said Malonson after her first career strike. She noticed Bixby was cheating a bit off her line, which gave her the opening for the shot.
“I looked around, and I don’t think anyone else thought it went in. I was like, ‘No, it went in, so come cheer for me,'” Malonson laughed at the postgame press conference.
Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz also had several big saves during the game, returning after playing for the U.S. Women’s U-23 National Team.
Forward Asisat Oshoala had two good chances to score for Bay FC in the first half, with one of her shots clanging off the goal post. Rachel Kundananji replaced her in the second half and also almost scored.
The victory was Bay FC’s third positive result after being defeated by the top team in the league, Kansas City Current, and moved them into a playoff position in the standings.
“We’ve been stressing how important it is for us to play as a team,” said Bay FC Head Coach Albertin Montoya after the game. “Everyone has a very important role on this team on and off the field, and it’s really coming together and starting to show.”
Next up for Bay FC is a Friday night home game against the second place Orlando Pride at PayPal Park on June 13. Kickoff is at 7 pm.
