SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2026) – Bay FC bested the Houston Dash 1-0 in a thriller Sunday at PayPal Park. After 89 minutes deadlocked, forward Cristiana Girelli netted the winner for Bay FC off a free kick that took a rebound off the post, snapping Bay FC’s winless streak and earning the club’s sixth clean sheet on the year. Girelli’s score was the first NWSL goal for the legendary Italian striker and the latest score by Bay FC since 2024.
“I think we needed today, if I’m honest, three points on the board, clean sheet,” said head coach Emma Coates.” I think the latest goal we’ve scored this season. Sometimes attacks win games, sometimes defense and goalkeepers win games. And I just want to shout out Silky today. I thought she was, I thought she was world class for us.”
A back and forth first half saw both clubs earn opportunities, although neither would convert prior to the halftime whistle. Bay FC nearly broke through just 12 minutes into the match, when forward Karlie Lema pounced on a missed touch by a Houston defender and got into a one-on-one faceoff with Houston’s goalkeeper, but saw her close-range effort saved. The club threatened again moments later, but forward Alex Pfeiffer couldn’t corral her first touch on a strong entry pass by Lema atop the penalty box.
Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz kicked off what became a goalkeeping battle for the remainder of the half on the ensuing counter. A pair of saves kept Houston from breaking the deadlock as it rushed forward in transition. Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell denied a chance by Taylor Huff ten minutes later as the Ohio native tried her luck on a half-volley at goal from a corner kick.
Lema nearly put Bay FC ahead of the second half kickoff. The former Cal Bear drew the opposing keeper off her line after getting in behind on the break, but couldn’t beat a defender to a heavy touch to get it over the line.
Silkowitz stood on her head once more near the 50-minute mark as Houston answered Bay FC’s early pressure. A low shot played in from the left snuck through traffic and looked headed for goal, but the outstretched fingertip of Silkowitz kept the ball out of net. A leaping effort denied another Houston chance on the resulting corner kick, her eighth save before the hour mark. Silkowitz finished with ten stops on the day, combining with Houston’s Jane Campbell for 16 overall stops for the match.
Houston came close to breaking the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining as it played in from a restart. Low service went to the feet of a Dash attacker at the penalty spot for a one-touch effort, but another stellar save by Silkowitz kept the attempt away from goal.
Girelli netted the winner just prior to the start of second-half stoppage time. A free kick taken by forward Keira Barry, on as a late substitute, looked to challenge Campbell in goal and potentially break the deadlock, but instead rattled the woodwork. The ball fell to the feet of Girelli on the rebound for the Italian to slot the ball over the line for her first NWSL goal and the match-winner.
Bay FC heads back out on the road next week, taking on the Washington Spirit in another Sunday matinee from the nation’s capital Aug. 30. Kickoff from Audi Field is set for 9:30 a.m., and the match will broadcast live on ESPN2. Bay FC returns home the following Friday, Sept. 4 when the Kansas City Current visit the Bay Aea.
Bay FC v Houston Dash
August 23, 2026
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Kickoff: 3:07 p.m. PT
Weather: 85 degrees, sunny
Attendance: 12,548
Discipline
BAY – Collins (caution) 84’
Scoring Summary
BAY – Girelli 89’
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Bay FC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Houston Dash | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting Lineups
Bay FC: Silkowitz, Nighswonger (Moreau 86’), Anderson, Gilchrist, Collins (C), Bebar, Hutton, Fuller, Pfeiffer (Girelli 62’), Lema (Barry 75’), Huff (Conti 75’)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Hubly, Dahlkemper, Bailey, Holzheier
Houston Dash: Campbell (C), Chapman (Boattin 60’), Klenke, Hammond, Patterson, Graham, Van Zanten (Ivanovic 60’), Colaprico (Bright 90’), Ullmark (Harper 73’), Rader, Faasse (Larisey 73’)
Unused Substitutes: DeLisle, Beall, Nielsen, Hardinpy
