Bay FC forward Penelope Hocking, center, is seen on the sideline before a NWSL soccer match against San Diego Wave FC in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the San Diego Wave on Saturday night. Bay were looking to start climbing up the standings, while San Diego attempted to solidify their spot near the top of the league table. The Wave were able to use some good defense to shut down Bay FC from making a come back late in the match 2-1 at Pay Pal Park.

San Diego got a chance from a free kick in the opening minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar and Jordan Silkowitz was in the perfect position to make a save if it was a bit lower as well.

Silkowitz had to make a few saves early in the match, as the San Diego attack looked to get on the board, but she stood tall.

In the 23rd minute, Silkowitz went down with an apparent cramp but quickly got back up and remained in the game. In the 26th minute, Rachel Hill was taken down inside the box, but, rightfully, no penalty was awarded.

In the 45th minute, Rachael Kundananji went down after a collision in midfield. San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan showed tremendous sportsmanship, as she immediately came over to check on her, just as she did for Silkowitz earlier in the match. Kundananji got some attention from the training staff, but remained in the match.

The match remained a draw heading into halftime, but possession was massively in favor of the visiting side.

Kundananji got a shot on target in the 49th minute, with a strong run past the Wave defense but Sheridan made an easy save. Silkowitz followed suit with a save of her own in the 51st minute. Unfortunately for Bay, moments later San Diego would take the lead in the 52nd minute with a goal by 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio.

Silkowitz made a phenomenal diving save in the 57th minute to keep the deficit at just a single goal.

San Diego made the first substitution of the night in the 60th minute with Trinity Armstrong entering for Hanna Lundkvist. Meanwhile in the 62nd minute, Taylor Huff was shown the first yellow card of the night.

Kenza Dali made it 2-0 in the 64th minute, right before Albertin Montoya was set to make a wholesale change. Dorian Bailey, Kiki Pickett and Tess Boade entered after the goal in an attempt to right the ship, but it seemed like Montoya waited too long to make the changes.

Boade gave Sheridan another save in the 69th minute, as the shot went directly to the Wave goalkeeper.

San Diego was called for a handball inside the box in the 73rd minute, and Caroline Conti stepped up to the spot. She scored on the shot, and Bay FC trailed by only a single goal with 15 minutes to go. At that point, Montoya took out Kelli Hubly for forward Asisat Oshoala as they desperately needed an equalizer.

Perle Morroni was shown a yellow in the 89th minute. Ultimately, Bay FC’s comeback attempt would come up short, and they’d fall 2-1.