Seattle Reign FC held off Bay FC in a breathless National Women’s Soccer League fixture on Saturday night, leaving PayPal Park with a 3-2 victory after a match defined by an explosive opening and a decisive late intervention from Jess Fishlock.
The Reign struck first in the fifth minute through Mia Fishel (5′), setting an aggressive tone away from home. Seattle doubled its advantage only five minutes later when Maddie Dahlien (10′) found the net, putting Bay under immediate pressure.
Bay responded quickly and refused to let the fixture get away from them. Hannah Bebar (13′) pulled one back just three minutes after Dahlien’s goal, restoring belief around PayPal Park and ensuring Seattle’s 2-1 half-time lead remained far from comfortable.
The home side had more of the ball, finishing with 55.3% possession, but Seattle carried the greater cutting edge in the final third. The Reign registered 13 shots and eight on target, compared with Bay’s 10 efforts and three on frame.
Bay’s persistence paid off in the 75th minute as Keira Barry (75′) levelled the match at 2-2, setting up a tense final quarter-hour. Yet Seattle had the final word. Veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock (85′) struck five minutes from time to restore the visitors’ lead and ultimately secure all three points.
Seattle’s sharper finishing proved the difference in San Jose, where 11,439 supporters watched a fiercely contested match. Bay created a late-platform for a comeback, but the Reign’s defensive resolve saw them through after Fishlock’s crucial winner.
Goals: Mia Fishel 5′, Maddie Dahlien 10′, Jess Fishlock 85′ (Seattle Reign FC); Hannah Bebar 13′, Keira Barry 75′ (Bay FC).
