SAN JOSE — In the span of two minutes, Bay FC went from inches away from going up a goal to giving up a head-scratcher.
Barbra Banda
scored in the 58th minute as the
Orlando Pride
came away from PayPal Park with a 1-0 win over Bay FC on Friday night.
Carson Pickett took a quick free-kick on the left wing to catch the Bay defense off guard. Pickett’s through ball found Banda free in space, who then dribbled into the box and fired off a shot that deflected off two defenders before nestling in the back of the net.
Even after out-shooting the Pride 16-7 (6 to 4 on target), Bay could not generate enough late pressure to force an equalizer.
The Pride (8-3-1) earned their fifth clean sheet of the season and have won three consecutive games. Bay (4-5-3) has lost all three of its meetings with the Pride in the NWSL since joining the league in 2024.
With Bay’s starting goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz injured, Emmie Allen made her NWSL debut.
Bay FC nearly went up
in the 57th minute when Caprice Dydasco sent in a scorcher from just inside the 18-yard box, hitting the crossbar. One minute later, Orlando made Bay FC pay.
Taking advantage of a delayed reaction to a foul, Orlando quickly played the ball up to Banda, whose shot deep in the box bounced off Abby Dahlkemper, then Kelli Hubly, and found its way past Allen.
The Pride survived a flurry of late Bay FC chances to hang on and make Banda’s goal stand up.
The loss attended by 12,127 fans snapped a three-match unbeaten streak for Bay FC dating to May 17.
