Wave jump to second with 2-1 win over Bay FC
Kenza Dali celebrates her game-winning goal San Diego’s 2-1 victory against Bay FC. (Photo courtesy: San Diego Wave FC)
San Diego Wave FC got back in the win column with a 2-1 result against their Northern California rivals, Bay FC. The win ended a three-match draw streak and was the Wave’s first victory since June 13.
We really needed these three points, because the last three games we didn't get the three points, so that was really important to get back at it,” said Wave midfielder Kenza Dali. “Yeah, we see the other teams grabbing points, so that was important tonight.”
The Wave started the match as they have in their past two appearances by dominating possession of the ball, and creating solid offensive chances throughout the first half. Still, they lacked a final touch on the ball in the final third from their attackers, despite multiple chances.
“At halftime I said we’re doing everything right. I think we were on top of them and I just said ‘let’s not have the same regret as last week,’” Dali said. “Last week we were very good in the first half and didn’t finish and gave them the opportunity to come back.”
Dali went on to say that good teams never make the same mistake twice and the team seemingly took the message to heart and burst onto the field in the second half by creating many dangerous chances in front of goal before finding the net.
The first goal came in the 52nd minute from Kimmi Ascanio after great buildup play and a cross from Adriana Leon from outside the box went perfectly to the center of the penalty area. Bay FC defender, Caprice Dydasco, tried to clear the ball, but slipped while the ball hit her. The deflection landed right in front of Ascanio who took a second to collect the ball before passing it in with her right to make it 1-0.
The Wave kept their attack going and scored in the 63rd minute. The second goal started with a long pass by Kennedy Wesley from the backline but was poorly handled by a Bay FC defender. The poor touch went right to Kenza Dali who continued the momentum and brought the ball up before passing it to Leon attempting to make a run.
Leon drew the rest of the backline toward her and hesitated for a second, thus leaving Dali open at the top of the box for a shot. Leon passed the ball lightly to Dali who took a strong strike opening her foot outwardly. The strike went to the right and curved past the goalkeeper into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
“Kenza is, I’ve said this many times before, she’s a glue in the team. She connects between the old and the young, between the defending line and the forward line,” Wave Head Coach Jonas Eidevall said. “These connecting players are so important to have, because that means we can speak a common language on the pitch and she’s doing that very well.”
Bay FC had a few more moments in transition, but were unable to score in the run of play. They did earn a penalty in the 75th minute, which Bay FC midfielder Caroline Conti took and buried beautifully into the top right corner to make it 2-1.
The home side kept the pressure on, but the Wave’s entire team played well and staved off the attack with some substitutes. Two of those players were Laurina Fazer and Dudinha who both managed to provide somer pressure offensively late in the match.
The Wave will play their next match on Sunday, August 24, against Racing Louisville at home in Mission Valley.
