San Diego Wave lose 1-0 against Gotham FC

San Diego Wave forward Melanie Barcenas moves the ball up in the Wave’s 1-0 loss against Gotham FC. (Photo credit: San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC lost 1-0 against first-place Gotham FC thanks to a goal by San Diego’s former star midfielder Jaedyn Shaw. 

The Wave spent the week on the east coast following their match on Sunday and with only one change in the starting XI with Trinity Byars instead of Ludmila in the striker position.

The lone goal in the match came in the 44th minute and was all Gotham needed to secure the victory. Shaw got the ball on the left side defended by right back Mimi Van Zanten and took one moment other than go to her right and use Van Zanten and Wesley as a screen. Wave goalkeeper Sandra Paños wasn’t ready for the bounce and it went under her arms into the back of the net. 

Kimmi Ascanio was substituted off early and replaced by Kenza Dali for the second week in a row. The injury came via a slide tackle by another former San Diego Wave midfielder, Savannah McCaskill.

The second half was much of the same with limited finishing opportunities for the Wave and even less time spent in the opposing penalty area. 

Adriana Leon substituted on for Melanie Barcenas to bring more to the offense, but no player on the front line could provide adequate finishing.

The Wave play their next match at home next week on Friday, August 14, against 11th place Denver Summit FC