Bay FC edges Portland 1-0 as Alyssa Malonson scores first career goal

SAN JOSE — After a missed touch from Penelope Hocking, Bay FC’s leading scorer, Alyssa Malonson found herself free on the left side of the box with the goalkeeper and an almost impossible angle.

She fired a missile of a shot past the diving arms of Bella Bixby, Portland’s goalkeeper. It was the third-year defender’s first career goal and it put Bay FC up 1-0.

Malonson’s goal would be all Bay FC needed to get the victory over the Portland Thorns (4-5-3) on Saturday night at PayPal Park.

The first-half goal from Malonson allowed Bay FC (5-3-4) to lock in defensively and completely shut down Portland’s offense.

Despite Malonson’s crucial goal, Jordan Silkowitz was the star of the game. Bay FC’s goalkeeper anchored her team’s stifling defense. She was all over the box keeping shots away an