Overview:
NJ/NY Gotham FC could not hold onto the lead and settled for a 1-1 draw at the San Diego Wave FC in a National Women's Soccer League game at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday night.
San Diego Wave FC defender Hanna Lundkvist (6) battles for the ball with Gotham FC forward Esther Gonzalez (9) in the first half. (Julia Kapros-USA TODAY Sports)
SAN DIEGO – NJ/NY Gotham FC could not hold onto the lead and settled for a 1-1 draw at the San Diego Wave FC in a National Women’s Soccer League game at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday night.
Hanna Lundkvist headed in a corner kick in the 64th minute for the equalizer for eighth-place San Diego (3-3-2, 11 points).
Seventh-place Gotham FC 3-2-3, 12) finished its two-game road trip with four points, after a 1-0 win at the Houston Dash on May 8.
Despite losing the lead, Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said that he “couldn’t be prouder of the team.”
“I think today the first half, especially the first 30 minutes, 35 minutes we dominated, playing really really well,” he said. “Last 10 minutes were more even than the second half. It was quite clear that we wanted that second goal for those 15-20 minutes. I think we had a few chances really to kill the game. I think obviously San Diego is a fantastic team playing at home. They get the equalizer on a set piece, and then it was a difficult moment.
“With a point, is a bit bittersweet because there were moments in the game where definitely we could have sealed it.”
Gotham FC again brought the pressure on early. In the eighth minute, midfielder Delanie Sheehan set up the visitors’ first dangerous opportunity, delivering a cross into the box that split two Wave defenders and found forward Ella Stevens in front of goal. Stevens’ shot went just above the crossbar.
As Gotham FC continued to create chances, defender Bruninha delivered a service in the 23rd minute to Sheehan, whose header on goal tipped off the crossbar and out of play.
The visitors took a 1-0 advantage in the 25th minute. Defender Jenna Nighswonger found Stevens, who brought the service down on a half-turn before finishing on a half-volley to score her first goal this season.
Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger kept the Wave off the scoresheet, making three crucial saves.
At the end of the first half, Gotham FC led the Wave on the scoresheet, as well as in shots (7-3) and completed passes (155-153).
In the 53rd minute, Gotham defender Emily Sonnett found forward Esther in stride inside the box for an open look at goal. However, Wave keeper Kailen Sheridan made a diving save.
San Diego nearly had a response on a set piece by forward Maria Sanchez in the 60th minute. Sanchez aimed a curling shot at the top right corner, but Berger made another save.
Gotham FC will return home to Red Bull Arena to host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, May 19 at 5 p.m. ET.
