SAN DIEGO WAVE 0-1 BAY FC
May 3, 2026
Att. 13,508 • Snapdragon Stadium
SAN DIEGO — Bay FC Stuns San Diego Wave FC 1-0 Behind Early Kundananji Goal and Silkowitz Heroics
Bay FC earned a gritty 1-0 road victory over San Diego Wave FC on Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium, using an early goal from Racheal Kundananji and a massive penalty save from goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz to secure all three points.
The match started with immediate intensity. San Diego nearly created danger seconds after kickoff, but Bay FC responded quickly and punished the Wave in transition. In the fifth minute, Claire Hutton won possession in midfield and helped spark the attack. Taylor Huff then played a sharp ball through the San Diego back line to Kundananji, who made a direct run into space and finished first time to give Bay FC a 1-0 lead.
The goal was Kundananji’s first of the 2026 season and also marked the fastest goal in Bay FC club history. It gave the visitors an early advantage and forced San Diego to chase the game for the remaining 85 minutes.
San Diego had its best chance to equalize in the 16th minute after Aldana Cometti was called for a foul in the box. Kenza Dali stepped up to take the penalty, but Silkowitz came up with the defining moment of the match, diving to her left and getting a hand to the attempt before it hit the post and stayed out. The save preserved Bay FC’s lead and became one of the biggest moments of the night.
From there, San Diego pushed for an equalizer and controlled long stretches of the match. The Wave finished with 54.2% possession, 14 total shots, six shots on target, and four corners, while Bay FC had 45.8% possession, 10 shots, three shots on target, and two corners. Despite the pressure, San Diego could not break through.
Bay FC’s defensive structure held strong in the second half. Cometti made a key recovery tackle after halftime to stop Ludmila from getting in behind, while Bay’s back line absorbed late pressure as San Diego searched for a goal. Substitutes Maddie Moreau and Kelli Hubly also helped Bay FC close out the final stages of the match.
The Wave continued to create chances, especially through Melanie Barcenas and their late attacking pressure, but Silkowitz and the Bay FC defense stood firm. Silkowitz finished with six saves, while San Diego goalkeeper DiDi Haračić recorded two saves.
Discipline also played a role in the match. Bay FC received four yellow cards, while San Diego received two. Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall was shown a red card late in the match as frustration grew during San Diego’s search for an equalizer.
The result gave Bay FC its first shutout of the 2026 season and improved the club to 3-3-0 with nine points. San Diego, despite entering the match near the top of the NWSL standings, dropped to 5-0-3 with 15 points.
For Bay FC, the win was built on efficiency, defensive commitment, and goalkeeping. Kundananji’s early finish gave the visitors the lead, but Silkowitz’s penalty save and the team’s ability to withstand San Diego’s pressure made the difference. For the Wave, the performance showed attacking control and chance creation, but the final product was missing on a night where Bay FC made its biggest moments count.
- Joao Portugal
