August 31, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Bay FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Bay FC jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage less than 20 minutes into the match and never relinquished their lead, registering a 3-1 road win over Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park on Friday night. Abby Dahlkemper, Rachel Hill and Joelle Anderson all tallied goals in the match. Hill also contributed an assist along with Dorian Bailey and Racheal Kundananji to help Bay FC earn their third win in their last four road matches.
Dahlkemper Debut
Dahlkemper made her Bay FC debut in league play, starting and playing 90 minutes. The Bay Area native scored on her debut, marking the third time a Bay FC player has scored in their first game for the club. Notably, it was Dahlkemper’s second consecutive match with a goal. She tallied the lone goal in her last match for San Diego Wave FC on Aug. 24. Dahlkemper is the fifth player (Carli Lloyd, Jodie Taylor, Sam Kerr, Sydney Leroux) in NWSL regular-season history to score goals in back-to-back appearances for different clubs. Both of those goals were headed goals.
The Rache(a)ls
Hill and Kundananji have both recorded goal contributions in back-to-back games. Hill provided the assist on Kundananji’s goal against Utah Royals FC on Aug. 23, while Kundananji delivered the assist that led to Hill’s first goal with Bay FC in the match against Thorns FC. It was Hill’s first goal since 2022 when she scored for the Chicago Red Stars. Hill has a goal and two assists in her last two games for Bay FC. Kundananji recorded her second assist of the 2024 season. Hill and Kundananji are the third and fourth players to register multiple assists for the club this season.
Goal-Scoring Plays
BAY – Abby Dahlkemper (Dorian Bailey), 7th minute: Alyssa Malonson played a cross from the left wing into the box. Dorian Bailey ran onto the ball and sent a lofted volley back toward the left post and Dahlkemper came streaking into the box, converting with a header at the goal line.
BAY – Rachel Hill (Racheal Kundananji), 18th minute: Kundananji dribbled down the left side of the box and sent perfect cross to the back post for Rachel Hill, who finished from close range.
POR – Sophia Smith, 32nd minute: Pressuring the Bay FC backline, Katelyn Rowland attempted to clear the ball, and Sophia Smith blocked the pass inside the box before dribbling around Rowland and finishing near the left post.
BAY – Joelle Anderson (Rachel Hill), 70th minute: Tess Boade won the ball…