Wave remains atop the NWSL standings with a 3-2 road win over the Summit
The San Diego Wave scored three second-half goals for a 3-2 victory over the Denver Summit, spoiling the expansion club's debut at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in front of a sold-our crowd Saturday. In other National Women's Soccer League matches Saturday, Gotham FC dominated visiting Bay FC 3-0, North Carolina won 1-0 at Houston, and host Chicago beat Boston 2-0. Yazmeen Ryan played a pinpoint pass into the box to find Melissa Kössler to give Denver a 1-0 lead and the first home goal in the club’s history.
It was Kössler's fourth goal of the season. After seeing her initial shot cleared off the line by Kristen McNabb, Natasha Flint headed home the rebound to make it 2-0 in the 32nd minute. In the second half, it was all San Diego (5-1-0).
Lia Godfrey scored in the 49th minute to trim the lead to 1-2. She leads all rookies with four goals this season and set a new club rookie record. Off of Godfrey's corner kick, defender Kennedy Wesley smashed a header through the hands of goalkeeper Abby Smith for the equalizer in the 57th minute.
The comeback was completed in the 65th minute for the visitors on an own goal from defender Carson Pickett. It was the first time San Diego has ever come-from-behind to win from a halftime deficit in the club’s history (0-23-6). The loss in at the Commerce City, Colorado, stadium snapped a three-game shutout streak for the Denver Summit (1-3-2).
Reiten's debut sparks Gotham attack Rose Lavelle scored a goal and drew a penalty to lead Gotham (2-2-2) in the shutout of Bay FC. In the 20th minute, Karlie Lema attempted to clear the ball, but it deflected off Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz for an own goal. Lavelle doubled the lead in the 41st minute with her first goal of the season.