Bay FC resume NWSL play with a 2-2 draw against Houston Dash

San Francisco Chronicle​

2 days ago

Bay FC opened their first game back from the league's monthlong summer break in a close battle that concluded in a draw. After losing two consecutive games before heading into the break, a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dash showed promise on at least one front for Bay FC: They proved their ability to convert opportunities into goals.
Bay FC have struggled in the attack throughout the season, but on Saturday night, those woes showed flashes of improvement. Albeit, against the third-worst team in the league. The team was also without forward Asisat Oshoala, who returned this past week to the Bay Area after helping her team to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations title.
During practice earlier in the week, Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya said that — over the course of training sessions held over the break — the team was finishing better than it had all season.
And convert it did. In the 16th minute of Saturday's game, forward Penelope Hocking slammed a goal to the top left corner off of an incisive cross from Racheal Kundananji. Bay FC converted on 2 of 19 attempts, but 2 of 7 of their shots were attempted on goal.
Houston didn't equalize until the 74th minute when Kiki van Zanten's right foot made good off of a cross from Avery Patterson to bring the score 1-1. But Bay FC responded — and with immediacy. Just two minutes later, Taylor Huff banged in a shot in very close range off of an assist from Alyssa Malonson to bring the score to 2-1.
In the 88th minute, a Houston header off of Sophie Schmidt into the high center of the goal again tied the game. With seven minutes of injury time added to the clock, the two kept the game close. But neither team landed the decisive blow.
Bay FC head on the road to play second-worst Chicago Stars FC on Aug. 10.