With clenched fists midfielder Caroline Conti (15) celebrates her goal at the 58th minute as Bay FC avoids getting shutout by the Chicago Stars FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy /Sports Radio Service staff writer

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the newly rebranded Chicago Stars FC on Sunday evening in the two teams’ first matchup of the season. Bay FC was looking to avenge a loss to the Washington Spirit while Chicago was hoping to get their first win of the season. The Stars Ludmila scored twice in the fifth minute and in the 41st minute enough to defeat Bay FC 2-1 at Pay Pal Park.

Chicago seemed to get an early lead in the fifth minute when the ball got past Jordan Silkowitz and into the back of the net, but the assistant referee’s flag was up and the play was offside. After a momentary delay, the referee was called over for a review and the call was changed once again though. Chicago was awarded the goal, and Ludmila got her first goal of the season.

Abby Dahlkemper saved a goal in the 18th minute, as Silkowitz charged out at the ball carrier. The shot went past Bay’s goalkeeper but went right to Dahlkemper. Chicago would get a second goal during the first half though, as Ludmila made it a brace in the 41st minute.

Chicago would carry that lead into halftime.

Early in the second half, the first yellow card of the night was shown to Camryn Biegalski for a foul on Rachael Kundananji.

Bay FC would get on the board in the 58th minute, when Caroline Conti would score on a penalty, which was the result of a handball inside of the box by Chicago.

Penelope Hocking had a chance for an equalizer in the 92nd minute, but the shot sailed over the goal for a goal kick. A similar result happened when she got an opportunity in the 96th minute.

Chicago would end up picking up their first win, and points, of the season as Bay FC were unable to find an equalizer late in the match. Their 2-1 loss is also Bay’s first loss of the season at PayPal Park as they drop to 1-2-1 on the season.