Bay FC can’t keep up with San Diego Wave in Summer Cup opener

Bay FC started five rookies in its opening match of the Summer Cup on Saturday night and paid the price for its inexperience, losing 3-1 at San Diego Wave FC.

The loss leaves Bay FC in last place in Group B of the inaugural tournament between NWSL and Liga MX Femenil clubs.

With both teams shorthanded during the Olympic break, San Diego controlled play for much of the first half aside from a disallowed goal by Bay’s Caprice Dydasco in the 28th minute on a close offside call.

Bay was set to enter halftime tied until Wave center back Kennedy Wesley forcefully headed an in-swinging corner kick past Bay’s rookie keeper Emmie Allen at the near post. Maria Sanchez delivered the ball from the corner right to the edge of the six-yard box.

Allen started in place of Lysianne Proulx, who is at the Paris Olympics for Canada. Also missing for Bay were forwards and offseason transfers Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) and Racheal Kundananji (Zambia) while San Jose native Naomi Girma is among the Wave’s five Olympians. Tess Boade and Savy King were also unavailable for the match.

Sanchez scored on her own eight minutes after halftime when her cross from outside the left side of the box sailed over a diving Allen and into the net, making it 2-0.

Bay responded when Wave keeper Hillary Beall missed on a clearance in the 63rd minute and rookie Maddie Moreau corralled the bouncing ball, then sent it past Beall into the top of the net.

Amirah Ali sealed the San Diego victory with an 80th-minute goal after subbing on for Alex Morgan. Savannah McCaskill crossed the ball to Elyse Bennett at the back post, who headed it down to Ali in front of goal.

Dydasco earned a penalty kick in stoppage time when Makenzy Doniak fouled her in the box, but Beall stopped Deyna Castellanos’ attempt from the spot.

In total, San Diego outshot Bay 24-7, forcing Allen and the Bay defense to work all game. Allen made her debut as an undrafted rookie, while former Stanford standout defender Maya Doms earned her first start and was subbed off at halftime.

Bay will host Angel City FC on Friday night in its second match of group play before facing Mexico City’s Club América on Aug. 2. The winner of the group has a chance to advance to the Summer Cup semifinals.