CHICAGO (Aug. 9, 2026) – Bay FC played to a scoreless draw Sunday at Chicago Stars FC, snapping the club’s three-match losing streak. A back-and-forth contest saw both sides earn chances throughout the match, but see the score deadlocked as the final whistle sounded. Bay FC continues a two-match road swing next Friday from Sandy, Utah against the Utah Royals.
“I feel we could’ve come here and taken all three points if I know that we were at our best,” said head coach Emma Coates. “I think the positive is that we’re coming home with a point, and every point’s important. But my overall feeling right know is we could’ve been much better.”
After a quiet start on both sides, Chicago earned the game’s first chance at the 11-minute mark. A through ball played in behind was stopped by a strong tackle from defender Joelle Anderson, but Stars FC was able to keep the threat alive. Play moved wide to attacker Jameese Joseph, who sent a curling shot at goal but missed the target.
Bay FC saw its first true opportunity near the mid-way point of the first half. Forward Cristiana Girelli moved up the right flank on the run before playing off to forward Keira Barry, who’s first-touch shot was blocked. Midfielder Kennedy Fuller collected the rebound and veered left to set up a attempt towards frame for midfielder Dorian Bailey, but her effort went wide of the left post.
Chicago thought it had opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. A through ball played in put the hosts in a dangerous position, but the flag came up for offside, preserving the first half deadlock. A Bay FC chance met the same fate moments later after forward Alex Pfeiffer thought she had netted a goal from a left-footed strike, but was flagged for offside.
Bay FC kept pressure on Chicago coming out of the break. A transition opportunity saw Barry take possession and play wide to Pfeiffer on the run with only the goalkeeper to beat. The St. Louis native sent an attempt at goal as she entered the penalty area, but saw it saved by the goalkeeper. The club came inches from breaking the deadlock again ten minutes later, but Fuller’s effort at goal missed wide after the midfielder forced a defensive mistake in the attacking third.
The club continued to knock on the door as time ticked down. Claire Hutton came inches from the game’s first goal mere minutes after Fuller’s near-score, but a one-touch effort grazed off the crossbar and high of the target after a cross was played in by Pfeiffer. Forward Karlie Lema, on off the bench in place of Barry, thought she had netted a winner with four minutes to go after heading in a long cross played to the back post, but saw the offside flag come up again after the ball hit the back of the net.
Bay FC celebrated a milestone for defender Heather Gilchrist with just over 15 minutes remaining. The Florida State product entered the match as a substitute for Anderson on the backline, marking her first pro appearance. The two-time national champion with the Seminoles showed well in her NWSL debut appearance, completing 70% of her passes and winning two of two one-on-one duels.
Bay FC continues its two-match road stretch next Friday, as the club visits the Utah Royals in Sandy, Utah, August 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, and the match will broadcast live on NWSL+. The club returns home Sunday, August 23, when the Houston Dash visit the Bay Area for the club’s Black Heritage Match. Tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.
Chicago Stars FC v Bay FC
August 9, 2026
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, Ill.
Kickoff: 4:08 p.m. PT / 6:08 p.m. CT
Weather: 71 degrees, cloudy
Attendance: 4,925
Discipline
BAY – Hutton (caution) 49’
BAY – Collins (caution) 75’
Scoring Summary
BAY – None
CHI – None
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Chicago Stars FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bay FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting Lineups
Chicago Stars FC: Atkinson, Wood (Johnson 57’), Farmer, Lopez, Ouahabi, Dellarose, Gasper (Staab 45’), Hayashi, Gomes, Pinto (Franklin 75’), Joseph (Swanson 57’, Bike 89’)
Unused Substitutes: Naeher, Mackiewicz, Evans
Bay FC: Silkowitz, Moreau, Anderson (Gilchrist 72’), Cometti, Bailey (Collins 60’), Bebar (C), Hutton, Fuller, Barry (Lema 79’), Girelli (Huff 60’), Pfeiffer (Conti 79’)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Allen, Hubly, Dahlkemper
