SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 18, 2026) – Bay FC earned a point from a 2-2 draw Sunday vs. Portland Thorns FC in a back-and-forth contest at PayPal Park. The home side roared back to equalize after conceding an early goal, before pulling ahead near the mid-way point of the second half. Bay FC finishes the day with a point earned, with only a late Portland equalizer keeping the team from claiming all three points.
“I could taste three points if I’m honest,” said Head Coach Emma Coates. “I think I’m really proud of the girls, we dealt with a lot this week in terms of players coming back from international duty, lots of injuries, a real thin squad and you know I think we for the most part played really well. As I say, just disappointing that we let three points slip through our hands.”
Portland earned the game’s first chance shortly after the opening whistle. A ninth minute corner kick was headed on frame by the visitors but missed the target high. Thorns FC earned the ball back shortly after play resumed and capitalized on a transition opportunity. Portland midfielder Morgan Weaver netted the first score of the game, sending one through from the top of the box.
The two sides traded chances shortly after the early goal. A central ball found the feet of Portland forward Reilyn Turner inside the box, but Bay rookie Heather Gilchrist’s defending forced her effort over the bar on the turn. Bay FC answered with an opportunity of its own near the mid-way point of the first half, with midfielder Kennedy Fuller driving inside for a shot on her right foot.
An eventful few minutes around the half-hour mark resulted in an equalizer for Bay FC. Forward Agostina Holzheier was initially awarded a penalty after winning a foul against a Portland defender, only for a Video Assistant Referee review to reverse the decision. Bay FC won back possession quickly after the restart and put forward Karlie Lema in a footrace towards goal. After beating the goalkeeper to the right, the Cal product found midfielder Caroline Conti on a cross from inside the six-yard box, allowing her to score her second goal of the season and leveling the scoreline.
Bay FC put Portland on its heels coming out of halftime, holding nearly 60% of the possession balance near the midway point of the second half. The club nearly pulled ahead ten minutes after the break, but a high-paced volley sent at goal by midfielder Kennedy Fuller forced a challenging save by Portland’s goalkeeper. Fuller found redemption ten minutes later. After receiving a pass from Lema, Kennedy pushed the ball through the defender’s legs and found the far netting with her shot. The assist was Lema’s second of the match.
Lema’s two-assist afternoon marked her second match this season with multiple scoring contributions, and third and fourth scoring contributions in her last four matches. It is the eighth time this season a Bay FC player has put their name on the scoresheet twice in the same match. Additionally, the team’s two-goal effort was the 10th multi-goal game of the season, significant after only being able to accomplish the feat 12 times in the two previous seasons combined.
Portland leveled the scoreline at two goals each with three minutes remaining. A shot at goal was cleared away but recovered by Thorns forward Caiya Hanks and sent over the line. Bay FC pushed for a winner as the match headed to stoppage time but did not put a winner over the line before the final whistle sounded.
Bay FC plays its final away match of the 2026 season next Saturday, heading south to take on in-state rival Angel City FC Oct. 24. Kickoff from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is set for 5:45 p.m. PT, and the match will broadcast live on ION. Bay FC will return home Nov. 1 for a Decision Day matchup vs. San Diego Wave FC to close out the 2026 season.
Bay FC v Portland Thorns FC
October 18, 2026
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Kickoff: 2:08 p.m. PT
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
Attendance: 14,451
Discipline
BAY – Conti (caution) 45’
POR – Reyes (caution) 74’
Scoring Summary
POR – Weaver (Nijstad) 10’
BAY – Conti (Lema) 33’
BAY – Fuller (Lema) 67’
POR – Hanks 86’
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Bay FC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Portland Thorns FC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Starting Lineups
Bay FC: Silkowitz, Nighswonger, Anderson (Cometti 45’), Gilchrist, Collins (C) (Moreau 90’), Bebar, Bailey, Fuller, Holzheier (Girelli 64’), Lema, Conti (Hubly 90’)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Allen, Menges
Portland Thorns FC: Arnold, Reyes, Vignola (Muller 56’), Calzada (Obaze 72’), Perry, Fleming (C), Nijstad (Bogere 72’), Tordin, Weaver (Harvey 56’), Hanks, Turner (Dufour 81’)
Unused Substitutes: Messner, McKenzie, Hiatt, Lyles
