SAN JOSE — Bay FC came away with one point in the NWSL standings after a 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign FC on Saturday night at PayPal Park.

But a win and three points felt so close. Especially when head coach Albertin Montoya envisions his team to be a top-four club league.

“Overall, we’ve got to be happy, we got a good point over an excellent team,” said Montoya, whose team led 1-0 at halftime. “We always want three points, especially when you are so close.”

Bay FC (2-2-2) has earned a decision in consecutive games and after losing two in a row and finds itself tied for sixth place with four teams, including Seattle.

Montoya knows that in order for Bay FC to be a top team, they need more scoring. Saturday was the fourth time in six games Bay FC has scored once. They also have been shut out once and scored a season-high two goals in their win over Louisville.

Bay FC’s Karlie Lema (5) runs with the ball against Seattle Reign FC’s Lauren Barnes (3) in the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, April 26, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

Bay FC had just three shots on goal against Seattle, and in the final minute Rachel Miller had a look at an open goal in short range. But she missed the kick on a short pass and the game ended in a tie.

“These last two weeks, 80% of our preparations have been in the attack,” Montoya said. “It’s just that final pass, the weight of the pass, the angle of the run and that’s going to take a little bit of time.”

Montoya says Bay FC can compete defensively with any team in the league.  Only Orlando and Kansas City, the two teams tied for first in the NWSL, have allowed fewer goals so far this season.

“We expect now, to get a point against every single team,” Montoya said. “This is what we expect, we know we can play with anyone.

“On any given day, anything can happen, so that’s why it’s so important that we get a point there where we can.”

Bay FC showed off its dynamic defensive and offensive potential in a sequence that gave the club a 1-0 lead shortly before halftime.

About midway through the first half, Seattle’s Jordyn Huitema intercepted a pass intended for Bay FC goalie Jordan Silkowitz. Silkowitz challenged Huitema, going toward her, and then made a highlight-reel-worthy save, diving to her left. She made four saves in the game.

“Good keepers make saves they are supposed to, great keepers make those challenging saves and then great goalkeepers also help us win games,” Montoya said.  “When we brought her in, we knew she could be a number one in this league.”

About a minute later, striker Racheal Kundananji broke the scoreless tie with a goal that hit the right bar, ping-ponged to the left bar, before crossing the goal line in the 32nd minute. Caroline Conti got the assist.

“I was just motivated and I came back to take the ball and try to go forward and when I got the chance, in my mind, I was only thinking one thing, it was just to (score),” Kundanaji said on the momentum after Silkowitz’s save. “As soon as you are defending, you need to have that mentality as a striker.”

Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji (9) celebrates scoring a goal against Seattle Reign FC in the first half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, April 26, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

It was the first goal of the season for Kundananji, who conceded that she needed a confidence builder.

“Going five games without scoring as a striker, that’s a no,” she said. “If I was a coach I would be like ‘She’s not scoring, let me try to find someone to replace her.’”

Silkowitz said it was only a matter of time before Kunanaji got one in the back of the net.

“I’m sure it will be a chain reaction and there’s many more to follow,” Silkowitz said.

Kunanaji said when she got to PayPal Park Saturday afternoon she kept telling her teammates she was going to score.

“I was just with a high spirit, I was saying I’m scoring and everybody was surprised,” Kunaji said. “I was just having fun.”

Huitema scored an equalizer for Seattle in the 50th minute on a close range header assisted by Samantha Meza on a corner kick set piece.

It was the first goal Bay FC has allowed in the second half all season.

Bay FC’s next match is May 4 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego against the fifth-place Wave.