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Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford takes commanding win over Cal 89-81 at Haas Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) with arms out stretched tied as leading scorer with 20 points against the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 7, 2024

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (8-2) Maxime Raynaud converted almost 50% of his shots leading the Cardinal with 20 points he was getting the open shot quite often today against the Cal Bears (6-3).

#2 The Cardinal pretty much were having their way in the first half outscoring Cal 47-31.

#3 The Cardinal defense held the Cal Bears to single digits the Bears Andrej Stojakovic and and Javon Blacksher were the only two players to get into double figures.

#4 Talk about Stanford’s defense they were able to keep the Bears at arms length for most of the game. The closest that Cal they tied it up but just couldn’t take the lead at any point in the contest.

#5 Stanford hosts the Merrimack Warriors (3-6) at Maples Pavilion on Tue Dec 17th. Merrimack has won their last two games but lost six in a row before that. How do you see this match up on Tuesday night?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda break Abbotsford Canucks’s win streak in 5-3 win

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San Jose Barracuda Donovan Houle (83) battles with Abbottsford Canucks Akito Hirose (41) for the puck at Tech CU in San Jose on Fri Nov 29, 2024 (photo from San Jose Barracuda X)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE–In a multi goal-night from Lucas Vanroboys, the San Jose Barracuda takes Game 1 of 2 against the Abbotsford Canucks.

This is the first time these two teams have faced off this season. The last matchup was on Saturday February 24th last season where San Jose fell to Abbotsford 5-2. Thomas Bordeleau and Scott Sabourin both registered goals that game.

San Jose got to scoring early with Lucas Vanroboys netting his 3rd of the season assisted by Shakir Mukhamadullin and Jimmy Schuldt at 8:09. Vanroboys struck again at 19:08 assisted by Scott Sabourin to extend the Barracuda’s lead. “I’ve been focusing on shooting more, got a puck inside the dots there and figured I’d throw it on net and good things happened”. The Barracuda dominated the first period outshooting the Canucks 12-6.

San Jose extended their lead to 3 at 6:11 of the 2nd on a Justin Bailey goal, his 3rd of the season; assisted by Filip Bystedt and Lucas Carlsson. After a minute of 3 on 3, Abbotsford got on the board at 9:13 on an Elias Pettersson goal assisted by Dino Kambeitz and Ty Glover. San Jose’s lead was cut down to 1 at 12:14 when Dino Kambeitz scored his second of the season assisted by Nate Smith and Akito Hirose.

After a hit on Shakir Mukhamadullin by Dino Kambetiz, he picked up the puck and tied the game at 3-3 at 4:26 into the third. At 15:24, Scott Sabourin tapped in Shakir Muhkamadullin’s shot to give the Barracuda the lead again with Cptain Jimmy Schuldt getting the primary assist. “They’re so steady out there, you can always trust them and know that they are going to make a good smart play” said Scott Sabourin when asked about the d-pairing. With one minute left in the game, Filip Bystedt secured the win scoring an empty net goal to give the Barracuda the 5-3 win.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Scott Sabourin, GWG, 1A

2. Lucas Vanroboys, 2G

3. Dino Kambeitz, 2G, 1A

The Barracuda will be back in action Saturday night at 6pm for Game 2 of the series against the Canucks at Tech CU in San Jose

Stanford Cardinal football podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford closes season against San Jose State Spartans in San Jose Friday

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Cal wide receiver Jonathan Brady (6) reaches out to make one of his two fourth quarter catches against the Stanford Cardinal cornerback Colin Wright (6) at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 23, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal dropped their last game for their eighth loss of 2024. The Cardinal got off to a great start against the Cal Bears in Berkeley in the battle for the axe with two touchdowns in the first quarter taking a 14-0 lead on two touchdowns carries from Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson.

#2 Cal would score the only points in the second quarter when Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw to Trond Grizzell for 16 yards cutting Stanford’s lead 14-7.

#3 Stanford in the third quarter would pull away with a touchdown pass from running back Micah Ford to wide receiver Emmett Mosely. Stanford took a 21-10 lead going into the third quarter.

#4 Cal scored a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter at 10:09 Mendoza threw a 30 yard pass to wide receiver Jonathan Brady and at 2:40 Mendoza once again hit his favorite target Brady for a 22 yard touchdown as Cal comes back for a 24-21 win.

#5 Stanford concludes the 2024 regular season at San Jose State. The Spartans are coming off a loss in their last game to the UNLV Rebels 27-16. How do you see these two matching up at Spartan Stadium in San Jose this Fri Nov 29 with a kick off at 1:00pm PST.

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal football podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Jumbo of a time expected Thornton’s sweater is retired tonight

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Former San Jose Shark Joe Thornton (beard), San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan ( in Sharks sweater) SJ Sharkey mascot, gathered with Thornton’s family and dignitaries at San Jose City Hall on Thu Nov 21, 2024 for a tribute to honor Thornton who will have his number 19 sweater retired at SAP Center on Sat Nov 23, 2024 before the Sharks and Buffalo Sabres game. (photo by  Mike Zeisberger NHL.com writer)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary, Thursday Joe Thornton was honored by the City of San Jose ahead of Joe Thornton day at SAP Center Saturday night. The former San Jose Sharks star was honored at City Hall with over 100 people present. Thornton addressed Mayor Matt Mahan who was dressed in a Sharks sweater. Thornton told the crowd “Joe Thornton Day in San Jose. It sounds pretty good, eh?”

#2 Thornton played in the NHL from 1997 to 2022. Thornton played for the Sharks from 2005 to 2020. The Sharks will be raising his sweater number 19 to the rafters next to former teammate Patrick Marleau whose number 12 is also retired.

#3 You had a chance to cover the shootout loss to the St Louis Blues Thursday night in the Sharks last game when the Blues Jake Neighbours scored the winning goal it was the Sharks forth loss in five games and it ended the Blues longest loosing streak at four games.

#4 The Sharks continue to have another rough first period they have been outscored now 28-10. They were tied with the Blues 1-1 after the first period. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky is working on trying to get that opening period goals against down.

#5 The Sharks honor Jumbo Jim tonight at SAP Center against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have been playing .500 hockey lately and the Sharks could make this a close contest having home ice.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wranglers whip up on Barracuda in 6-2 win in series opener

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San Jose Barracuda forward Anthony Vincent (#76) battles with Calgary Wranglers defenseman Jerrod Tinordi (#26) after the whistle during the Wranglers 6-2 win over the Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Saturday Nov 16, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Calgary Wranglers scored four unanswered goals to cruise past the San Jose Barracuda in a 6-2 victory on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

Calgary has won two games in a row and remained undefeated on the road with a 5-0 record. San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped and lost for the just the second time at home.

San Jose (8-5-0) drew first blood in the with Danil Gushchin first goal of the season 90 seconds into the game. Cuda captain Andrew Poturalski started a counterattack over to Colin Graf. Graf led a two-on-one into the Wranglers zone. Graf threw a rink wide pass over to Gushchin who made a move fore-hand to backhand as he beat Wranglers goalie and former San Jose Sharks prospect Devin Cooley with a top shelf goal.

Calgary (12-3-0) had a strong finish to the opening frame with two goals in a span of 2:27 to close out the first period with a 2-1 lead. First, William Stromgren led a 3-on-1 rush inside the Barracuda zone. Walker Duehr made a back handed pass to Jonathan Aspirot who buried the puck into an open net for his first goal of the season at the 16:32 mark.

Then Duehr was on the receiving end of a centering pass from Dryden Hunt and Duehr blasted a one-timer past ‘Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov for a power play goal, his ninth goal of the season at the 18:59 mark.

The Wranglers kept their foot on the gas pedal to start the second period as they scored their third goal within two minutes to start the period. A turnover by the Barracuda inside their own zone led to Rory Kerins lifting a backhander from just outside the crease past Askarov for his team-leading 11th goal of the season at the 1:49 mark.

Calgary scored its fourth unanswered goal just before the sixth minute mark of the middle frame. Stromgren maneuvered around three ‘Cuda defenders before finding Sam Morton who redirected Stromgren’s pass into the short corner of the net for his third goal of the season at the 5:54 mark.

Gushchin scored his second goal of the game and season with San Jose having pulled Askarov for an extra attacker late in the third period. Graf slid a pass over from the left slot to Gushchin who beat Cooley to the short side with a wrist shot 2:21 remaining in the game.

Adam Klapka and David Silye added empty net goals to seal the deal for Calgary. Klapka scored his fourth goal of the season at the 18:28 mark and Silye his first goal of the season at the 19:10 mark.

Cooley (9-2-0-3) stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his ninth victory of the season. Askarov made 19 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. Calgary went 1-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Duehr 2) Gushchin 3) Morton.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Calgary conclude their two-games series on Sunday at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Barracuda shoot down Eagles in 5-3 win, split series

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San Jose Barracuda winger Tristen Robins (#52) sends a shot on goal as he scored two goals during his team’s 5-3 win over the Colorado Eagles at Tech CU Arena on Sunday NOV 10, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–The streak is over!

Tristen Robins scored two goals to help the San Jose Barracuda defeat the Colorado Eagles 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped two streaks as it split the weekend series with the Eagles. They snapped their season long three-game losing streak and 12-game losing streak to their Pacific Division rival. Colorado left Tech CU Arena with losing two of its past three games.

After failing to finish the game the night before against Colorado, San Jose had a chip on its shoulder as they got off to a strong start in the opening frame. The fourth line got things rolling with an even strength goal early in the first period.

Robins led a rush inside the Eagles zone. A centering attempt by Justin Bailey hit off of Keaton Middleton. Donovan Houle picked up the puck and snapped home a wrist shot to the near corner past Eagles goalie Trent Miner for his third goal of the season at the 6:34 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just past the halfway mark with an even strength goal. Andrew Poturalski found Ethan Frisch along the right point. Frisch skated in from the right wing and ripped an identical shot to Houle’s as it went top shelf in the near corner for his second goal of the season at the 11:56 mark.

Colorado cut the Cuda lead in half just under two minutes later. Middleton’s centering pass from the left wing caromed off a sea of traffic in the middle of the crease. Oskar Olausson picked up the loose puck in the middle and buried a wrist shot past Barracuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his third goal of the season at the 13:33 mark.

Both team traded power play goals in the second period that saw the physicality pick up as each team drew two penalties in the middle 20 minutes.

San Jose regained its two-goal lead with its first power play goal of the game after Poturalski finished off a tic-tac-toe goal. Collin Graf sent a pass back up to the point to Luca Cagnoni who made a touch pass down low to Poturalski beat Miner with a wrist shot while falling to his knees for his team leading seventh goal of the season at the 9:07 mark.

Then Colorado scored their power play goal late in the middle frame. Jake Wise set up Jean-Luc Foudy in the left slot and Foudy snapped home a wrist shot past Romanov for his first goal of the season at the 13:56 mark. It was the first goal San Jose’s penalty kill has given a goal down five-on-four. The two other power play goals given up this season were when the Cuda were down 5-on-3.

Robins took over the third period as he scored both of his goal in the final frame. His first came with the Barracuda on the man advantage. Shakir Mukhamadullin found Robins down low in the right slot. Robins skated in and fired a wrist shot that pinballed off of Miner and Jack Ahcan into the back of the net for his second goal of the season at the 2:59 mark.

Robins iced the game for San Jose with 5:36 remaining in the game with his second goal. Brandon Coe got down low inside the Eagles zone. Coe sent a back pass up to the point over to Robins. The veteran forward skated in from the left slot and lasered a wrist shot to the upper right corner of the net for his third goal of the season.

Ahcan completed the scoring as Colorado pulled Miner for an extra attacker. Matthew Phillips centered a pass over to Achan who beat Romanov to the glove side with a wrist shot for his first goal of the season at the 16:22 mark.

Romanov (2-2) stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced to earn his second win of the season. Miner (3-2-1) made 25 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Colorado went 1-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Robins 2) Poturalski 3) Romanov.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand when they host the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 11/13 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Eagles comeback to defeat Barracuda 3-2 with late 3rd period goals

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San Jose forward Danil Gushchin (#75) shoots a puck on net as Colorado Eagles defenseman Keaton Middleton (#67) tries to block the shot at Tech CU Arena on Saturday NOV 9, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Colorado Eagles scored two goals late in the third period for a 3-2 comeback victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose have lost three games in a row for the first time this season. Colorado has won four of its last five games and 12th straight versus San Jose.

“We were in control of the game and then a couple of miscues (that led to the two goals) and that’s how fast it can happen. I would have like for us to have capitalized on our chances we had earlier and put ourselves in better position. But we gotta learn how to close out games,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Colorado (6-4) drew first blood late in the first period. A stretch pass from Jayson Megna made its way up the ice to Jere Innala at the Barracuda blueline. Innala set up Mattew Phillips who made a move around Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov, and his shot deflected off Ethan Frisch into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 12:35 mark.

San Jose (6-4) responded just under two minutes later with a power play goal. From the point Danil Gushchin set up Andrew Poturalski with a pass in the left slot. Poturalski made one toward the net before firing a wrist shot past Eagles goalie Kevin Mandolese short side for his team leading sixth goal of the season at the 14:28 mark. Luca Cagnoni picked up the secondary assist.

Gushchin earned his 100th career AHL point with the primary assist on Poturalski’s goal.

There was no scoring during the second period. It was a period where the physicality picked up as both teams were throwing the body around both legally and illegally. Colorado had one full power play opportunity while each team had an abbreviated power play. San Jose had a slight edge in shots in the middle frame 12-11.

San Jose gained its first lead of the game near the midway point of the third period thanks to a nice individual effort by Collin Graf. Poturalski sent a rink wide pass from his own zone up to Graf at the Eagles blueline. Graf skated in, cut to the right as he deked out an Eagles defender and rifled a wrist shot top shelf to the far corner for his fourth goal of the season at the 8:59 mark.

“I just wanted to use my speed and push them back,” Graf reminisced. “Obviously I wanted to shoot some more pucks personally today, so I decided to shoot, and good things happened.”

Colorado scored the equalizer thanks to a turnover by the Cuda in the neutral zone. Innala collected the puck near the right boards and fired a backdoor pass over to an unmarked Megna who buried a one-timer past Askarov for his fourth goal of the season at the 13:01 mark.

The Eagles scored the game winning goal exactly four minutes later. Wyatt Aamodt’s shot from the point hit off of Jack Ahcan. Jake Wise collected the puck just in front of the crease and poked it over to Ty Felhaber who beat Askarov with a backhander for his third goal of the season at the 17:01 mark.

Mandolese (3-1) stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced to earn his third victory on the season. Askarov (5-2) made 24 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort and has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Colorado went 0-for-2.

Barracuda forward Tristen Robins made his home debut after missing the past seven games with an upper body injury.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Megna 2) Poturalski 3) Felhaber.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Colorado conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 11/10 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders fire offensive assistant coaches; Vegas face Dolphins in Miami next Sunday

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The Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (bottom) tries to recover quarterback Gardner Minshew’s fumble in front of the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Logan Wilson (55) at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sun Nov 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) once again get pummeled this time by the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati 41-24. In the first half Tony the Raiders did have a close half coming out of it trailing 17-10 and it looked like the Raiders were going to stay in step with the Bengals.

#2 Raider starting quarter back Gardner Minshew was 10-17, 124 yards, did not throw or carry for a touchdown and didn’t throw an interception. Minshew and the Raiders just couldn’t much going on scoring in the third and fourth quarters.

#3 The Raiders couldn’t shut down the Bengals scoring in the second half as the Bengals in third quarter scored 14 points and ten points in the fourth quarter to run away with the game.

#4 Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow got good protection and was mobile against the Raiders pass rush finishing with a line of 27-39, 251 yards, had all day to throw with five touchdowns and was intercepted once.

#5 The Raiders hope to end their current five game loss streak as they head to Miami and Hard Rock Stadium for a 10:00am PST kickoff with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have struggled of late as well with three loses in a row and they lost Sunday 30-27 to the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins drop their record to 2-6. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a 25-28 afternoon throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Any chance the Raiders can snap out of this funk against the Dolphins next Sunday?

Tony Renteria does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wild dominate Barracuda in 5-2 win, sweep series

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Iowa Wild winger Liam Ohgren fires a shot on net for his first goal of the season as San Jose Barracuda center Filip Bystedt attempts to defend the shot at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday NOV 3, 2024. (Iowa Wild)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Iowa Wild enacted revenge two weeks later on the San Jose Barracuda as they defeated the visiting team 5-2 to sweep the weekend series on Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.

San Jose were swept for the first time this season, while Iowa swept a series for the first time this season.

Iowa (2-6-1) drew first blood with a 5-on-3 power play goal late in the first period. Devin Shore found Travis Boyd behind the net to the right of the goal. Boyd centered a pass out to the slot where Liam Ohgren beat Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov with one-timer top-shelf to the far side for his first goal of the season.

The Wild doubled its lead with under two minutes left in the opening frame. After a faceoff win inside the ‘Cuda zone, Ryan O’Rourke found David Spacek at the left point and Spacek blasted a one-timer past Romanov for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (6-2) could not stay out of the penalty box in the second half of the opening 20 minutes as they weren’t able to generate much offense as they only had seven shots on goal. Wild goalie Dylan Ferguson was able to keep the ‘Cuda out of the net.

Iowa scored their third unanswered goal early in the second period. Boyd received the puck in the slot from O’Rourke. Boyd’s shot pass was redirected past Romanov by Michael Milne for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:13 mark. Milne has scored in back-to-back games against the ‘Cuda.

The Barracuda got on the scoreboard late in the middle frame with a power play strength goal. Luca Cagnoni set up Andrew Poturalski at the left slot. Poturalski skated inside the left faceoff circle before beating Ferguson for his first goal of the game and fourth of the season with 47 seconds remaining.

Poturalski made it a one-goal game near the halfway mark of the third period. The Barracuda had pressure inside the Wild zone. Brandon Coe centered a pass from the left board over to Poturalski in the slot. The veteran forward skated in, got Ferguson to go down before depositing the puck into the back of the net for his team leading fifth goal of the season at the 8:32 mark.

Iowa gained an insurance goal late in the final frame. A turnover in the neutral zone by the Barracuda was picked up by Hunter Haight at the red line. Haight skated in and used a ‘Cuda defender as a screen before wiring a wrist shot top shelf to the short side for his fourth goal of the season at the 13:18 mark.

The Wild put the game away thanks to the Barracuda failing to clear the puck of its zone. Ben Jones picked up the puck behind the net and centered the puck back in the slot. Devin Shore buried a wrist shot past Romanov for his first goal at the 15:50 mark.

Ferguson (1-0), who made his first start of the season, earned his first win as he stopped 22 of the 24 shots from San Jose. Romanov (1-2) made 31 saves on 36 saves in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-6 on the power play. Iowa went 1-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Boyd 2) Milne 3) Haight.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Colorado Eagles for a two-games series starting on Saturday 11/9 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Bay FC headed to NWSL Playoffs; Big 3-2 win against Houston clinches it

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Racheal Kundananji of Bay FC scores the first of two goals this one at 21st minute against the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sat Nov 2, 2024 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

Bay FC had a crucial game on their final night of the season. It was do or die, as a single point against the Houston Dash would send the expansion side into the playoffs. A loss on the other hand, would put Bay’s fate in the hands of Racing Louisville. Saturday’s game was delayed due to inclement weather, and the game started with a wet pitch.

Bay FC Starting XI: Rowland, Malonson, Menges, Dahlkemper, Dydasco, Pickett, Bailey, Blade, Kundananji, Oshoala, Hill

Houston Starting XI: Hinz, Chapman, Jacobs, Nielsen, Schmidt, Yuki, Olivieri, Punigam, Gareis, Patterson, Harris

The Dash were without their starting goalkeeper, Jane Campbell, who was injured during international duty. As a result, Heather Hinz made her first career regular season start. The ball was able to beat Hinz in the 10th off of a set piece.

Paige Nielsen deflected the free kick past her goalkeeper, making it 1-0 early on for the visiting side. Bay FC had been 8-3-1 entering the night when they scored first, meaning a playoff berth seemed heavily in their favor. It didn’t take long for Houston to tie it up, as Barbara Olivieri extended her goal streak to three games in the 13th minute.

Shortly after Rachael Kundananji hit the inside of the goal post, she scored off of a corner. She shot it off of a volley in the 21st minute and Hinz had no chance of getting in front of it. While it would’ve been easy to deflate after giving up an equalizer so quickly, Bay FC bounced back and restored their lead.

A majority of Houston’s offense was going through Olivieri, which certainly a logical approach considering her recent form. Kundananji hit the crossbar late in the half, nearly extending Bay’s lead. Tess Boade had a shot blocked by Jyllissa Harris in the 45th minute.

Had the shot gotten through, it seemed like it was heading for the netting. Nielsen’s rough night continued, when she was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Dorian Bailey. Bay FC maintained their 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Bay FC made a couple of substitutions heading into the second half. Savy King and Penelope Hocking started the half in place of Alyssa Malonson and Asisat Oshoala.

Houston didn’t trail for long in the half, Avery Patterson beat Katelyn Rowland in the 46th minute, making it 2-2. While all Bay FC needed was a draw to guarantee a playoff spot, conceding that early in the half is dangerous considering the home team now had an entire half to get the lead.

Kundananji wouldn’t wait long to restore the lead, as she weaved through the defense in the 54th minute before beating Hinz to make it 3-2. Momentum was firmly in favor of Bay FC following the goal, as they immediately launched another attack.

Bailey forced Hinz to make a save early in the 57th minute. Kundananji went down after getting kicked in the face while making a late slide tackle, she was also shown a yellow card for the play. In the 63rd minute, Houston got the ball right in front of the goal but Caprice Dydasco was able to clear it out to save the lead.

Kundananji returned to the game after getting some attention on the sideline. She set up Hocking with a great opportunity in front of goal, but her first shot was saved and she ran out of space on the rebound. Momentum slowly started to head towards the Dash, as they had a few attacks of their own as the half progressed. In the 85th minute, King was taken out for Maddie Moreau. Kundananji hit the crossbar once again in the 86th.

Bay FC carried their 3-2 lead into stoppage time. All they needed to do to make the playoffs was not concede two goals in the final seven minutes of added time. Moreau had an important block in the 93rd minute.

Kundananji fired another shot in the 94th minute that forced Hinz to make another save. Caroline Conti came in for Kundananji late in stoppage time. Unfortunately, moments after coming into the game she took a ball to the side of the head and had to get attention from the training staff.

Ultimately, Bay FC held on to win 3-2. As a result, they became the second expansion side to earn a playoff berth, as the San Diego Wave did it previously.