SEATTLE (Sept. 12, 2026) – Bay FC fell 2-0 Saturday at Seattle Reign FC from Lumen Field. After a scoreless first half, Seattle broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 51st minute and would double its advantage in second half stoppage time. Bay FC will look to reverse its fortunes with a quick turnaround to its next match Wednesday from the Rockies at Denver Summit FC.
“Just a little bit off the mark tonight,” said Bay FC head coach Emma Coates. “Different day, Claire’s chance hits the post and goes in, Karlie sneaks around the back of the defender and gets in that 1v1 situation. We’ve got a big focus on the on the final third. As always, never too high, never too low. Things to celebrate, things we can improve.”
The contest started back and forth as each club put the other under pressure early. The pace settled down after a Seattle shot missed the target wide near the 10-minute mark, with the hosts beginning to earn more of the ball. Reign FC nearly pulled ahead from a set play six minutes later, but a header by forward Maddie Mercado missed the target high.
Forward Racheal Kundananji found an opening between Seattle’s center backs near the mid-way point of the first half for Bay FC, putting her foes backline under duress. She made a move to charge at goal, but a good defensive play blocked her shot. Reign FC took possession and got out in transition to its attacking end and putting the ball at the feet of Mercado, but her first-touch effort went inches outside of the left post.
Bay FC earned its best chance of the first half near the half-hour mark. Midfielder Taylor Huff played out of pressure on the right wing before finding midfielder Claire Hutton, who sent a cross into the box for Kundananji. The Zambian steered her attempt on taret, but couldn’t get enough pace behind it to challenge the goalkeeper.
Seattle broke the deadlock in the 51st minute from the penalty spot. Defender Sofia Huerta converted after a foul in the box cut down forward Nerilia Mondesir driving into the box after a long ball played forward put her in a one-on-one with defender Jenna Nighswonger on the right flank.
Bay FC nearly answered Seattle’s score at the hour mark. After play cycled from right to left, Nighswonger tried her luck from the top of the box and saw Reign goalkeeper Cassie Miller unable to corral the effort, but the ball would bounce out of play. Hutton tested Miller again in the 62nd minute, but an all-out diving save deflected the ball off the post and out, keeping Seattle’s advantage intact.
Attacking changes for Emma Coates’ side looked to help Bay FC push for an equalizer as time ticked down. Forward Karlie Lema put added pressure on the hosts’ backline after entering with 20 minutes to go and nearly drew her club level, but was whistled for a foul atop the penalty box. Seattle doubled its advantage in second half stoppage time off the foot of substitute Brittany Ratcliffe, who slotted her club’s second goal of the match inside the right post off her left foot.
Bay FC continues a busy stretch of play Wednesday, Sept. 16, visiting Denver Summit FC at Centennial Stadium in Centennial, Colo. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT, and the match will broadcast live on NWSL+. The club returns home next weekend to host Racing Louisville FC at PayPal Park Sunday, Sept. 20.
Seattle Reign FC v Bay FC
September 12, 2026
Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
Kickoff: 5:08 p.m.
Weather: 66 degrees, cloudy
Attendance: 8,191
Discipline
BAY – Barry (caution) 60′
SEA – Fishel (caution) 88′
Scoring Summary
SEA – Huerta (penalty) 51′
SEA – Ratcliffe 90+2′
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Seattle Reign FC | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Bay FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting Lineups
Seattle Reign FC: Miller, Huerta (C), McClernon, Brown (Curry 67′), Bugg, James-Turner, Menti (Fishel 67′), Meza, Mondesir (Ratcliffe 89′), Mercado (Fishlock 79′), Dahlien (Ward 89′)
Unused Substitutes: Mason, Holmes, Hladek, Milam
Bay FC: Silkowitz, Nighswonger, Anderson, Gilchrist, Moreau, Bebar (C) (Holzheier 90′), Hutton, Huff (Pfeiffer 80′), Kundananji, Girelli (Conti 80′), Barry (Lema 67′)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Hubly, Collins, Bailey, Cometti
