Bay FC topped Ottawa Rapid FC in a 1-0 victory as they celebrated a Star Wars themed match on Friday at PayPal Park.
Fans came dressed up as Ahsoka Tano, Darth Vader and in Jedi robes to celebrate the occasion, as Star Wars-themed music blasted throughout the night.
This marked the first match between a National Women’s Soccer League and the Northern Super League team, as well as the first matchup between top-flight women’s clubs from the United States and Canada, according to Bay FC’s game preview.
Rapid head coach Katrine Pedersen said that her team’s performance against Bay FC showed where they need to be going into their regular season.
“It was a great opportunity for us to play a good team from the (National Women’s Soccer League). This test shows us where we need to be,” Pedersen said.
Both teams used the match as a tune-up to stay ready for their respective regular seasons during the FIFA international window.
A handful of players joined Bay FC in training this week and made their professional debuts to fill in for players competing for their respective FIFA international teams.
Bay FC took control of the game early and used six early corners to put pressure on Ottawa.
Throughout the game, Bay FC created a number of chances in and around the box, but struggled to capitalize on open opportunities.
Bay FC head coach Emma Coates said it is important for her team to recognize the process of how they got their opportunities around the box, even with the lack of finishing.
“Sometimes it’s easy to say we didn’t score enough goals, but I’d say some of the buildup play and the areas that we wanted to produce from, I thought, were really good,” Coates said.
Midfielder Caroline Conti helped take control of the right side of the field early in the first half, sending a couple of crosses into the box that Ottawa kept in check.
With Bay FC’s heavy pressure on offense and solid midfield defense, Ottawa struggled to gain momentum with the ball.
Midfielder Dorian Bailey played a lead pass for forward Karlie Lema, who was fouled in the box by Ottawa defender Jyllissa Harris at the 59th minute, leading to a penalty kick.
Conti took the penalty kick and buried it to a roar from the crowd as a Star Wars-themed goal sound featuring Darth Vader’s voice echoed throughout the stadium.
Conti said she has always embraced high-pressure moments with confidence.
“I love penalty kicks. I think they are so fun,” Conti said. “I love training them every single day. If there is a time to do a penalty in a training, I am the first one to raise my hand.”
Conti took the majority of the team’s corners, which was something she and Coates had worked on in practice.
Coates said she has full confidence in Conti’s ability and her process in taking kicks.
“When you see the players do it day in and day out at training, nothing surprises me,” Coates said. “I have complete confidence in all my players, all the squad.”
With Bay FC on the board, they were able to settle into a groove on both sides of the pitch, highlighted by a Bailey nutmeg on a Rapid defender and a successful offside trap by the Bay FC defense.
Goalkeeper Camryn Miller made two saves in the waning minutes to seal the victory for Bay FC.
Bay FC is currently 2-0-2 on the season and will face Gotham FC on April 25 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
