Wave score at the death to beat Bay FC 2-1

San Diego Wave center back Trinity Armstrong celebrates her stoppage time game-winning goal. (Photo courtesy: San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC extended their winning streak to three with a 2-1 victory over Bay FC thanks to two set-piece headers by their center backs, including a thrilling stoppage time goal by 17-year-old rookie defender Trinity Armstrong.

“I’m definitely speechless, I can’t process anything in my brain right now, but honestly it means the world, because not too long ago I almost had to quit soccer, and I almost got this whole opportunity taken away from me because of my health,” said Armstrong. “Having the opportunity to be on the field, for Jonas (Eidevall) to trust me and the girls on the field to trust me as well is such a blessing. I’m so honored to be able to get that goal today in front of our home field.”

The first goal came in the sixth minute with a header by second-year center back Kennedy Wesley. Wesley made a short run forward to get open inside the 18-yard box and redirected a perfect corner kick from forward María Sánchez that found Wesley easily.

“We practice set pieces all the time and María (Sánchez) can put a ball in a dime as you all know. She played the perfect ball and I just knew where I had to be at the right time,” Wesley said. “All I had to do was kind of get in the way of it, but the service was perfect and it’s just how we drew it up.”

The early lead by Wave didn’t last as Bay FC proved to be a strong counter-attacking side that applies strong pressure to their opposition when they don’t hold possession. 

Bay FC took a ball from Wave midfielder Kenza Dali the steal went straight to forward Racheal Kundanaji. She has a strong presence and drew multiple defenders to her before passing the ball to Karlie Lema making a run down the right side. Lema took a few steps past Armstrong and slotted in a perfect shot past the goalkeeper to equalize at 1-1.

The Wave went on to dominate the possession battle, outshoot Bay FC 17-6 and limit any good chances for their Northern California rivals. Still they struggled to find the back of the net and even missed a penalty in the 27th minute, but they kept to their style of play.

“We knew not to change our identity. We might need to change tactics, we might need to change certain people that we find in pockets, but ultimately, we don’t change who we are, which is a possession based team. We want to play good football,” said Armstrong. 

Eidevall made a few substitutions that kept the offensive pressure strong including Melanie Barcenas and Adriana Leon and later Makenzt Robbe as a midfield replacement for Gia Corley. 

The Wave had a few more great chances from their French international players Perle Morroni and Delphine Cascarino, but it ultimately came to stoppage time. 

The fourth official signalled for five minutes of added time and in the final minute after receiving a pass Trinity Armstrong came away from the defensive line. With plenty of space in front of her she sped into the attacking third with confidence and found her striker, Adriana Leon, inside the box. Leon attempted a shot that the goalkeeper batted away for a corner kick.

The fans at Snapdragon stadium sensed a big moment and got loud and got even louder after being egged on by Wave captain Kailen Sheridan and head coach Jonas Eidevall.

“How you view life is also a choice of mindset and you can choose to expect a positive outcome,” Eidevall said. “We earned that corner in the end and we expected to score from that. I think that helps. There is no certainty, that’s what makes football great as well, but to expect a positive outcome is important because then you believe a little bit extra in all actions you do.”

Kenza Dali took the corner kick and found Armstrong on the back post who headed the ball down forcing it to bounce down and over the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. 

Armstrong called the moment a “blur” but had expected Dali to send her the ball to the far post. 

“It was in the air and then it disappeared, then I saw it go in the back of the net,” said Armstrong.

Snapdragon stadium went into a frenzy and the entire Wave bench came onto the field to celebrate with Armstrong and the team. 

With seven matches done the Wave are third in the NWSL standings only behind the two teams they’ve lost against and play their next match at home on Saturday, May 10, against the fifth place Portland Thorns.