Bay FC impress with 1-1 draw with Reign

SAN JOSE — Through six matches, Bay FC is feeling pretty good about itself.

The team battled to a 1–1 draw with the Seattle Reign on Saturday evening at PayPal Park in a match where they dominated possession and created numerous chances, falling just short of securing all three points.

It's been a remarkable turnaround from a year ago. During their inaugural season in the NWSL, Bay FC was still working to define its identity. This season, with a new goalkeeper in Jordan Silkowitz and a fresh injection of youth from midfielder Taylor Huff and striker Karlie Lema, the club has found a dynamic mix of speed, skill, and defensive discipline that has boosted their confidence.

Bay FC now sits at an even 2-2-2. In Saturday’s match, they controlled possession for much of the game and created several late chances, particularly in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to convert—largely due to missed connections on key passes inside the box.

"Yes, it is, I'm not going to lie," said Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya with a chuckle, when asked about the frustration of not scoring more than once. "We always want three points. But we were so close. So, (I'm) disappointed we didn’t get the three goals, but I’m proud of the team that we got a point in a difficult game. Last year at this point in the season, we probably give that game away. Now, it's like—maybe it didn’t go our way necessarily—but we got a point out of it, right? And we continue to stay with the rest of the group. When we get it right, I think that’s when you’ll see a lot of progress."

Montoya's point was underscored in the span of a single minute—from the 31st to the 32nd. A giveaway by converted midfielder-turned-center back Joelle Anderson deep in her own zone led to a breakaway by Seattle’s star striker Jordyn Huitema. Silkowitz came up big, chasing Huitema wide and making a diving save before Dorian Bailey cleared the danger.

Seconds later, Caroline Conti threaded a beautiful pass between two Reign defenders to Rachel Kundananji. The Zambian striker raced down the left wing, fired a shot that pinballed off both the right and left posts, and finally landed in the back of the net. It was Kundananji’s first goal of the season—one she confidently predicted before the game.

"Today, in my mind, it was just one thing: shoot the ball and make sure it goes behind the net. And that’s what I did," Kundananji said. "When I walked in this afternoon, I was in high spirits, saying (to myself), 'I'm scoring.' Everyone in the dressing room was surprised, like, 'When did you get this moment?' It was just something else. I knew tonight was going to be a great night."

Silkowitz deserved to be named Woman of the Match, making two outstanding saves in the first half—including leaping to knock away a Madison Curry shot in the 39th minute. She was aggressive in cutting off angles and composed in the second half, helping control tempo and limit Seattle’s opportunities.

"100 percent," Silkowitz said, when asked if the game is starting to slow down for her. "I think each game you get more comfortable in this environment, learning the opponents you play. So, for me, like I said, it’s about continuing to get better each game and just growing with confidence and comfortability with the ball."

Seattle equalized in the 50th minute on a set piece. Samantha Meza delivered a cross into the box, where an unmarked Huitema headed it inside the right post for her first goal of the season—ending her scoring drought just as Kundananji had.

Bay FC pressed hard for a winner. In the 66th minute, Kundananji found Huff inside the box, but her shot toward the far corner was denied by a diving stop from Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. In the closing minutes, Bay FC created several quality chances, including one with an open-net opportunity, but failed to connect on the final pass.

Despite a cold, drizzly night where rain fell in the closing stages, Bay FC came away with not just a point, but growing belief. The draw marked their second straight game with points after dropping two in a row.

Bay FC returns to the pitch on Sunday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m. to take on the San Diego Wave at Snapdragon Stadium.