The Washington Spirit and Bay FC match set a NWSL record for the most attended game at 40,091 fans at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 23, 2025 (Getty photo)

By William Espy

SAN FRANCISCO–It was The Show at Oracle Park on Saturday afternoon, as Bay FC lost the Washington Spirit 3-2 at the home of the San Francisco Giants in front of a record-breaking crowd of 40,091 fans. The festivities started before the game, as Oakland-based rapper Mistah F.A.B performed alongside 7 year-old Junie Ma at the conclusion of warm-ups.

The Spirit came out of the gate generating some chances, forcing goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz to make a big save in the 7th minute, but unfortunately for the home team, Washington would score on the following corner kick. The goal came off the foot of Kate Wiesner and Bay FC faced an early deficit.

Taylor Huff’s shot on target was denied by Aubrey Kingsbury in the 16th minute and a deflection by Rachel Hill went just wide moments later. Caroline Conti intercepted a Hal Hershfelt pass in the 19th minute, generating a chance for Bay but the shot sailed well over the goal.

Bay FC had a few more opportunities as we neared the half hour mark, but still hadn’t gotten on the scoreboard. In the 35th minute, Alyssa Malonson was shown the game’s first yellow card. Hershfelt was shown a yellow just a couple of minutes later, in the 37th minute.

Washington took a 2-0 lead when a tackle on Taylor Huff left her down in discomfort, and the Spirit were able to take advantage with Croix Bethune putting it away. Moments later, Huff would be shown a yellow card for a very similar tackle.

Washington would make it 3-0 in stoppage time when Bay FC scored an own goal. Bay would get one back before the half, off of a header by Rachael Kundananji to make it 3-1 heading into the break.

Albertin Montoya made a single change to start the second half, with Dorian Bailey coming in for Kiki Pickett. Hill nearly got a goal of her own in the 54th minute, but it was tipped out for a goal kick by Kingsbury. On the ensuing corner, Bay got another one back off the head of Kelli Hubly, reducing the lead to just a single goal.

In the 60th minute, Joelle Anderson was shown a yellow card which was followed up by Caroline Conti receiving one two minutes later.

In the 77th minute, Karlie Lema and Hannah Bebar entered the match for Hill and Jamie Shepherd. In the 87th, Caroline Conti was taken off for Maddie Moreau.

A corner kick late in stoppage time led to a header by goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz nearly tying the game, but she was denied by Kingsbury. Ultimately, time would run out on Bay FC’s comeback attempt and they’d fall 3-2.

Next match: Bay FC will head to Angel City FC on Mon Sep1, 2025 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles for a 6:00pm PT kick off.