SAN JOSE — Two screaming passes went across the penalty area in the late moments of Friday night’s clash between Bay FC and the undefeated Orlando Pride, but Bay FC couldn’t finish either chance.
A minute later, the hometown club surrendered a heartbreaking goal to Orlando’s Barbra Banda to complete a devastating 1-0 loss at PayPal Park.
Bay FC was every bit as good as the first place Pride most of the night, out-shooting them 13-12, and had several chances to win it in the final few minutes.
In the 79th minute, rookie left back Maddie Moreau dribbled by two defenders on the left side of the box and slotted a pass to Dorian Bailey, but Bailey’s low shot was stopped by the foot of goalie Anna Moorhouse.
Then in the 83rd minute, Racheal Kundananji dribbled down the left side and put the ball through the legs of Orlando defender Emily Sams, then crossed her up a second time and fired a perfect pass into the penalty area, but Rachel Hill’s first-time shot went a few feet wide of the goal.
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Orlando took the ball up the field quickly on the counter attack and found Banda on a cross into the box, where the Zambian sensation headed the ball smoothly into the corner for the go-ahead goal.
It was Banda’s 13th goal of the season, second in the NWSL behind Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga.
The loss was a disappointing result for a Bay FC team that hadn’t lost in three straight games and entered the night holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot. With 25 points and five games remaining, the club is three points ahead of ninth-place Louisville.
Orlando has been a force all year, particularly of late. They haven’t allowed a goal in five straight games. Friday’s clean sheet was Moorhouse’s 12th of the season, a new league record.
