SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2026) – Bay FC fell 1-0 Sunday to San Diego Wave FC, bringing the 2026 NWSL season to a close for the club. A strong effort in front of 15,927 fans at PayPal Park saw the home side keep one of the league’s top attacking teams to only two shots on target throughout the match. Despite several strong attacks, the home side was unable to find the back of the net. Although the 2026 season has come to an end for Bay FC, the club has several exciting elements from the year to build on for 2027.
“They had moments, we had moments. It was a couple of momentum swings here and there, and you know, with a with a thin squad and where we’re at in the season context-wise compared to them, I thought we gave a decent account of ourselves,” said Head Coach Emma Coates. “Honestly, thought we were going to pinch one, particularly one where the keepers made a save, and obviously we just not quite reacted for the rebounds. A first year of growth for me in this position in this club. We’re not pleased with where we are, but you know, a lot of things that we’ve implemented this season that we can be proud of.”
Bay FC put a spell of pressure on San Diego to open the contest, with forward Agostina Holzheier nearly opening her scoring account in the third minute. A left-footed effort from distance demanded the attention of Wave FC goalkeeper Sandra Paños, who kept the Argentine’s effort out of goal with a diving save.
San Diego pulled ahead at the ten-minute mark with the first goal of the contest. Midfielder Kenza Dali helped to move play across the penalty area, finding midfielder Mimi Van Zanten on the left side. The rookie put her club ahead with a right-footed shot that just passed by the outreaching hands of Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz.
A second half substitution nearly led to an equalizer for Emma Coates’ side. Forward Keira Barry entered the contest in the 54th minute and came close to a goal on her first touch. The English international recovered possession in the middle of the pitch and immediately got downhill on the break. Her shot from distance was kept away by another diving save from Paños.
Bay FC did well defensively to keep Wave FC from extending its advantage throughout the second half, limiting the opposing side to just two shots on target for the match. Additional changes late brought forward Cristiana Girelli and defender Maddie Moreau onto the pitch to give the club a boost on the attacking end, but the club wouldn’t put the ball over the line before the final whistle sounded.
Bay FC closes out the 2026 season with a 7-17-6 record and will return to action for its fourth season when the team opens its brand new Performance Center on Treasure Island in January. The 2027 NWSL Regular Season kicks off with games being played Feb. 11, 12 and 13. Fans can secure their spot at next season’s matches with a season ticket membership at BayFC.com/tickets. Fans can stay tuned for announcements including the 2027 season schedule, promotional calendar, and more exciting events and opportunities throughout the offseason on BayFC.com and the club’s social media channels.
Bay FC v San Diego Wave FC
November 1, 2026
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Kickoff: 2:08 p.m. PT
Weather: 64 degrees, clear
Attendance: 15,927
Discipline
None
Scoring Summary
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Bay FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Diego Wave FC | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Starting Lineups
Bay FC: Silkowitz, Nighswonger, Cometti, Hubly, Collins (C) (Moreau 74′), Bebar, Bailey (Hutton 61′), Fuller (Girelli 74′, Holzheier (Barry 54′), Lema, Conti
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Allen, Gilchrist, Menges
San Diego Wave FC: Paños, Wesley (C), Barcenas, Ascanio (Harbert 80′), Dali, Corley (Ludmila 74′), McNabb, Byars, Van Zanten, Godfrey (Bonansea 88′), Morroni
Unused Substitutes: Morelo, Leon, Fazer, Wynalda, Haracic, Portilho
