Racheal Kundananji played a crucial role in Bay FC’s thrilling 3-2 victory over the Houston Dash on Saturday night, securing a much-needed spot in the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.
Bay FC (11 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw) struck first just 10 minutes into the match at Shell Energy Stadium when a free kick was inadvertently redirected into the net by a Houston defender.
The Dash (5 wins, 16 losses, 5 draws) quickly leveled the score four minutes later, with Barbara Olivieri finding the back of the net after sneaking behind the defenders and firing a shot into the near-post corner.
Kundananji restored Bay’s lead in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a loose ball that emerged from a corner kick situation.
Avery Patterson equalized for the Dash right at the start of the second half, executing a precise shot into the left corner after outmaneuvering her defender in the penalty area.
Kundananji secured her second goal of the night in the 54th minute with an impressive solo effort, bringing her season tally to five goals and four assists.
Unfortunately for the Dash, they ended the season in last place on the league table.
In another match, the Orlando Pride triumphed over the Seattle Reign with a 3-2 win at Inter & Co Stadium, with Marta netting the decisive goal.
Finishing at the top of the table, the Pride had an extraordinary season with 18 wins and 60 points, both unprecedented records in the league.
Orlando (18 wins, 2 losses, 6 draws) took the lead early in the match with a goal from Ally Watt in the 9th minute.
Just moments later, Jordyn Huitema leveled the match for the Reign (6 wins, 15 losses, 5 draws) by converting a Tziarra King cross.
The Pride reclaimed the lead in the 25th minute when Kerry Abello connected with a cross from Watt to score.
Marta later scored her ninth goal of the season in the 57th minute, driving into the box and finding the net after the Reign failed to apply pressure.
The Reign’s rookie, Maddie Mercado, managed to score her first goal in the regular season in the 84th minute by heading in a cross from Veronica Latsko.
In a tightly contested match, the Washington Spirit edged out the North Carolina Courage 1-0 after Ashley Hatch’s stunning long-range goal.
Hatch launched a shot from beyond the 18-yard box into the far-post corner in the 37th minute, marking her fifth goal in the last eight games.
This victory pushed the Spirit (18 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws) to second place in the standings, tying them with the Pride for the league record of 18 wins this season.
For the Courage (12 wins, 11 losses, 3 draws), Kaleigh Kurtz notably played every minute of every match for the third consecutive year, but the loss ended their impressive 21-game unbeaten streak at WakeMed Soccer Park.
