Wave end nine match winless streak in 3-1 victory over Bay FC
María Sánchez celebrates after scoring in San Diego Wave FC’s 3-1 victory over Bay FC in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC)
San Diego Wave FC ended their nine match winless streak on Saturday, July 20 with a 3-1 victory against Bay FC at Torero Stadium in the first match of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.
“I wondered when (the win) was going to come. All night we were ambitious, wanted to take the ball off them as much as we could and create chances and we did that, and we converted,” Interim head coach Paul Buckle said. “I’m delighted with three goals and I'm delighted for Hillary (Beall) with the penalty save, it’s big at that point, and I think we were exciting and that’s what I’ve wanted.”
The first goal started thanks to an error by Bay FC’s rookie goalkeeper Emmie Allen. Allen couldn’t control a weak cross from outside the box forcing a corner kick. The set piece strategy worked to perfection as María Sánchez sent a perfect cross to Kennedy Wesley that Wesley headed in for the rookie’s first professional goal. Abby Dahlkemper worked the play to perfection as she drew a Bay FC defender away from Wesley giving her a clearer look on goal.
“We practiced set pieces a lot and it comes down to the timing and the execution. (Sanchez) played in a perfect ball just like we worked on in practice and(Dahlkemper) had a great run to draw a couple of defenders,” Wesley said. “It came right to my head and I was able to put it away. It took a lot of practice and I’m super glad we were able to execute it together.”
The second goal happened again with questionable goalkeeping by Bay FC in the 53rd minute. Sánchez took the ball down the field and sent a cross toward the far goal post, but the Bay goalkeeper was unable to punch the ball away making it 2-0.
“It’s not the way I pictured to score, but it obviously feels good to score,” Sánchez said. “I’ve been on the team for quite a few games now and not being able to score can bring you down sometimes, but I think having that in this tournament and finally getting one in the back of the net helps a lot moving forward.”
The Wave conceded a goal in the 62nd minute with a goalkeeper error of their own by Hillary Beall. Beall received a pass from one of her defenders, but cleared the ball poorly. A Bay FC forward rushed the sailing ball and easily moved forward before kicking the ball in easily to make it 2-1.
Beall redeemed herself later on in the final minutes of the match by saving a penalty kick in the dying minutes of the match which could prove important with tiebreakers in tournament play.
The Wave’s third goal came in the 80th minute with great team play in the final third that moved the ball to the opposite side of the pitch before sending it into the center of the box. Amirah Ali received the pass from Elyse Bennett and followed through on her initial shot to make it a final score of 3-1
The win marks the first win since May 8, 2024 and the latest time the Wave scored three goals in a match since May 20, 2023.
“Yeah, I think (the win) helps a lot moving forward. I think we’ve obviously struggled the last few games,” forward María Sánchez said. “The feeling of having fun and winning a game helps us so much, so I think a game like this can help the team moving forward be more confident and have more fun.”
The Wave continue on in the Summer Cup at home next week when they face Liga MX Femenil powerhouse Club America at Snapdragon Stadium.
