Kundananji rescues Bay FC in 1-1 draw with Gotham FC

SAN JOSE — Rachael Kundananji is getting hot at the right time for Bay FC. But is it too little, too late to save the season for the Bay Area squad?

The Zambian national scored the equalizer in the 68th minute coming off the bench as Bay FC earned a much-needed point against one of the top teams in the NWSL, a 1-1 draw with Gotham FC on Sunday evening at PayPal Park.

Kundananji has scored a goal in consecutive matches and in three of her past five matches after struggling to find the back of the net for the majority of the season. Fullback Alyssa Malonson quickly gave the ball to Kundananji after a clear attempt by Gotham FC. Kundananji one touched the ball back into the middle before curling a right footed strike into the right corner of the net past the outstretched reach of goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

"Yeah, when I had a touch on the ball like I had to check in," said Kundananji when asked if she knew she had the time and space to create her goal. "And the only pressure I had was somebody was coming forward. So, I knew if I just chip a little bit or not, the ball goes this side and nobody was calling me like, to tell me what to do. Everyone was just calm. So my head was just come in to say, just do what you're thinking. So I had to keep the ball in the was moving. I had to look up and look again on the ball in just like whip it at the back post, which was already, you know, no one was there because I knew the goalkeeper was already obstructed by the defenders."

Bay FC needed the second half heroics from their franchise's all-time leading goal scorer as they conceded the match's first goal in the 36th minute to a former U.S. Women's National Team star striker. Gotham forced a turnover by Kiki Pickett inside Bay FC's third of the pitch. Midge Purce sent a ball up to Esther Gonzalez just outside the D. Gonzalez made a nifty pass to the left wing over Rose Lavelle who buried the ball in stride into the back of the net past goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Lavelle has made a living with those types of performances during her time with U.S. Women's National Team.

What has been a constant shuffle of center backs throughout the season for Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya due to injuries to Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Menges, this match featured what could be the future of a solidified back line with the additions of Sydney Collins and Brooklyn Courtnall. Along with Malonson and Caprice Dydasco, the back line hunkered down in the second half and didn't allow many quality scoring chances from a potent Gotham FC offense.

Courtnall's first appearance for Bay FC was a role in the staring XI. Courtnall was acquired on loan from the North Carolina Courage for the remainder of the season back on August 28th. Her play along with her Collins, is something Montoya can rely on to help take pressure off of Silkowitz and is one less headache Montoya has to worry about moving forward with five matches left in the season.

"They were calm, they were composed," Montoya said of his two center backs play. "They were direct in the back line, which obviously helps the outside backs, but also the midfield. So, there's a lot of communication. And, and they felt like they had each other's back. No one was going to get beat with speed because they were covering each other really well. So yeah, we felt it and we saw that. And we'll see how it continues to move forward."

Courtnall iterated having played together with Collins at North Carolina and knowing some of the other players on the team helped ease her transition and allowed her to be more confident on the pitch in her first ever appearance for the club.

"Yeah, I think that always helps knowing people.I know a few people on the team like Abby, Caprice, Penelope Hocking. I know, a good amount of people," Courtnall said. "So I think that helps tremendously coming into an environment where people are there to help you. Everyone was lifting me up before the game, which that gave me the confidence. Everyone gave me confidence today, and I feel like that's why I felt confident."

Bay FC are currently 12th in the NWSL standing, nine points out of the 8th and final playoff spot with five matches remaining. These final matches are practical must wins with every point at a premium. Can the club find enough offense while missing its leading scoring in Hocking? With the goaltending and defense playing well, Bay FC must find goals if they want to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

"What we're saying as a staff is our football has gotten better, we're organized, we're playing in a little different way... If we can continue moving forward, with the way we've been playing, I think, you know, time will tell, but I think we've got a good shot," Montoya said.

Bay FC concludes its two-match homestand when they host the Utah Royals on Saturday September 27 at 7:00pm at PayPal Park.