San Diego Wave FC produced a stirring second-half comeback at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday night, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Racing Louisville FC 3-2 in a breathless NWSL fixture.
Racing looked in control at the interval after Lauren Milliet opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Taylor Flint doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 23rd. Louisville were clinical in the opening half, making their early moments in the final third count while keeping San Diego at bay.
But the match changed immediately after the restart. Trinity Byars pulled one back for the Wave in the 47th minute, injecting belief into a side that had dominated much of the ball but trailed 2-0 at half-time.
San Diego continued to press, controlling 71.7 percent possession and piling up 31 shots, including 10 on target. Their pressure finally told again in the 76th minute when Byars struck her second goal of the night to level the match at 2-2.
The home side did not settle for a draw. Kenza Dali completed the turnaround four minutes later, scoring in the 80th minute to give the Wave a 3-2 lead and cap a remarkable three-goal second half.
Racing defended resolutely amid sustained Wave pressure and created 13 shots of their own, but could not find a late equaliser. The closing stages were combative, with San Diego’s Macey Hodge booked in the 86th minute and Louisville’s Melanie Barcenas cautioned in the 88th.
The result moves San Diego Wave FC to 12-3-7, while Racing Louisville FC fall to 7-2-13. The Wave next host Seattle Reign FC on September 6, while Louisville travel to face Angel City FC on September 5.
Goals
- Racing Louisville FC: Lauren Milliet 12′
- Racing Louisville FC: Taylor Flint 23′
- San Diego Wave FC: Trinity Byars 47′
- San Diego Wave FC: Trinity Byars 76′
- San Diego Wave FC: Kenza Dali 80′
