San Diego Wave FC earned a 2-1 victory over Bay FC at PayPal Park Saturday, thanks to . second-half goals from Kimmi Ascanio and Kenza Dali.
The win extended the Wave’s (8-3-5, 29 points) unbeaten road streak to six matches, setting a new club record.
San Diego now sits in second place in the NWSL standings, one point ahead of Orlando and Washington Spirit, whose matches ended in draws Friday and Saturday.
After a scoreless first half, San Diego broke through in the 52nd minute, according to a Wave FC news release. The buildup started with Gia Corley, who combined with Delphine Cascarino before feeding Adriana Leon on the outside.
Leon’s far post cross found defender Perle Morroni in the box, but the ball dropped to Ascanio, who calmly slotted home her fourth goal of the season.
San Diego doubled the lead in the 64th minute as Dali brought the ball up the field and played Leon inside the box. Leon laid it back to Dali, who struck a perfectly placed first-time shot into the nearside upper corner, for her third goal of the season.
Bay FC (4-7-5, 17 points) benefitted in the 75th minute when an handball in the box gave the hosts a penalty and Caroline Conti stepped up to convert from the spot. But the home club drew no closer.
Wave FC returns to San Diego to host Racing Louisville at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 in the club’s annual Pride Night. The match will be streamed live on Paramount+ and NWSL+, and broadcast locally on KUSI.
Notes: Ascanio, at just 17, is the second-leading teenage scorer in the NWSL behind Seattle’s Emeri Adames (5), who is 19 … San Diego leads the league with 16 second-half goals this season … Morroni recorded her fourth assist this season, second-most on the team, behind Cascarino, with 5 … Leon recorded her second assist of the year … Midseason signings Laurina Fazer and Dudinha both made their club debuts as substitutes in the 82nd and 94th minute, respectively.
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