Bay FC ended its season in front of the home fans, losing 4-1 to the North Carolina Courage on Friday.

Bay FC  (4-13-8) fell behind early as the Courage (8-9-8) took a 2-0 lead within the first eight minutes.

Courage forward Manaka Matsukubo scored an early brace, with the first goal coming in the third minute off an assist from forward Payton Linnehan and the second in the eight minute mark, assisted by midfielder Meredith Speck.

Matsukubo continued to dominate throughout the game, completing her first hat trick goal with the Courage’s at the 80 minute mark.

However, Bay FC bit back and scored its only goal during stoppage time near the end of the  first-half.

Forward Penelope Hocking found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season, assisted by defender Alyssa Malonson.

The goal marked a new team high for Bay FC, which Hocking credited her teammates, calling the goal a product of teamwork.

“We’ve been working really hard all week, and on that goal especially, that corner kick play, and (Malonson) had that amazing cross, and I just had to get it on frame,” Hocking said. “Credit to her, credit to the team, that was a team goal for sure.”

Despite the loss, Bay FC had the upper hand on corner kicks, earning five compared to North Carolina’s two.

Bay FC also controlled the game possession, holding the ball 53% of the time to the Courage’s 47%.

The Courage outperformed Bay FC defensively, finishing with 27 clearances compared to Bay FC’s 21.

It was a cleaner game for North Carolina, committing just 11 fouls to Bay FC’s 13 and avoiding any cards.

Bay FC, meanwhile, received two yellow cards in the first half; midfielder Jamie Shepherd at the 24 minute mark and Malonson at the 34 minute mark.

Bay FC wasn’t short on chances, matching the Courage with 16 shot attempts. Six of North Carolina’s attempts were on target.

The crowd came alive at the 49 minute mark when the Courage were awarded a penalty kick, but Matsukubo didn’t capitalize.

Her shot was saved by goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz, who finished with three saves and prevented Matsukubo from securing a four-goal haul.

Silkowitz now has 70 saves on the season tying her for fifth most in the league, according to an National Women’s Soccer League webpage.

The defeat ties its largest margin of loss this year, with the last 4-1 result coming on May 11 against the Kansas City Current.

Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya remained positive after the loss, emphasizing his team’s resilience and unity.

“They showed so much character, they never give up,” Montoya said. “Regardless of what’s been thrown at us this year, the players always step out with the right attitude, the right mentality, and they play for each other. They respect each other. They’re very supportive, and that’s something we take a lot of pride in.”

He added that the team’s strong culture is an exciting foundation to carry into next season.
This marked Montoya’s final home game as Bay FC’s head coach, as the club announced last month that he will step down after the season, according to a Sept. 8 NBC Bay Area article.

Midfielder Tess Boade reflected on the emotional final home match as Montoya’s tenure at PayPal Park came to a close.

“Our last home game with Albertin, who’s really laid some good groundwork here, and we wanted to try to put on a performance to help celebrate that,” Boade said. “Definitely incredibly frustrated with the result, but, like always, the fans are truly incredible, and we are already excited to see them next year.”

PayPal Park has been anything but empty, averaging 13,400 fans per game, with a total capacity of 18,000, according to an ESPN report.

Bay FC’s season isn’t over yet, the team is set to face Racing Louisville FC on Nov. 1 at Lynn Family Stadium in its final game.