NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC Scores in Final Minute, Falls 2-1 to San Diego Wave FC

August 19, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


San Diego, CA - In a match that marked Gotham FC's return to the NWSL regular season on the road, the visitors battled to the end, but fell 2-1 to San Diego Wave FC.

In the 15th minute of play, San Diego opened the scoring, when Makenzy Doniak ricocheted a shot off the crossbar into the goal. Then, six minutes later, Gotham FC defender Jenna Nighswonger nearly replied with a high, curling ball from the left side that narrowly missed by hitting the far post.

Despite heading into halftime down one goal down, Gotham FC led all first-half possession (60%) and earned three corner kicks in its pursuit of an equalizer.

With a fierce start to the second half , Gotham FC was on the brink of leveling the score in the 53rd minute, when Delanie Sheehan connected on a rebound to finish. However, after video review, the goal was also disallowed, citing San Diego's goalkeeper Shae Yanez obtained control of the ball prior to Sheehan's shot.

Gotham FC's solid defense held San Diego to zero shots in the second half through the 85th minute, when Amirah Ali got in behind the backline for a one-v-one to score.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Gotham FC goalkeeper Abby Smith went down and had to leave the game. Since the club had already utilized all available substitutions, Gotham FC finished the match with ten players in her absence, and midfielder Nealy Martin moved back to become the goalkeeper.

Gotham FC's offensive push continued until the very end, as nearing the final moments of stoppage time, a shot by Katie Stengal was bound for the top corner, but San Diego goalkeeper Yanez tipped it off post. Stengal remained active, and scored just two minutes later from outside the box, with a one-touch volley straight into the back of the net.

Gotham FC's momentum was mounting. However, Stengal's goal came right before the final whistle, and the match ended in a 2-1 final scoreline.

Gotham FC returns home to celebrate six World Cup players returning to the club on August 27 for the match against Louisville at 5:30 PM. Tickets are available at GothamFC.com/Tickets.

STARTING LINEUP

Abby Smith, Bruninha (Mana Shim '84), McCall Zerboni (Allie Long 29'), Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan (Ifeoma Onumonu '90), Ellie Jean (Kelley O'Hara '84), Midge Purce (Yazmeen Ryan 26'), Katie Stengel, Jenna Nighswonger, Sinead Farrelly, Maitane López

POSTGAME QUOTES

Midfielder/Defender Maitane López

*On getting her first start and playing in the back line

"For me, it's such an honor. This is my first start in the lineup for Gotham FC, so I will be ready to play anywhere that [head coach Juan Carlos Amorós] and all the staff want me to play. I'm so proud of all the work that we've been doing. I think I can play in all the central positions. And I just try to do my best to to help the team win."

*On welcoming back World Cup players

"Oh, amazing! To have those kind of players on our team is amazing. Just to start meeting them and knowing them on the pitch also. I'm so happy that they've come back."

Midfielder Nealy Martin

*On stepping in to play goalkeeper tonight

"Yeah, super calm. I've been there before. Actually, in college, one of our goalkeepers went down or had a red card, and they wouldn't let us sub someone on and it was a free kick at the top of the box. I was in goal against [Yazmeen Ryan], actually, on our team. So yeah, I've been there before. I think of it as another opportunity, and just doing whatever I can for the team."

*On adapting to another scheduling change

"I mean, I say this every time, but our team is so resilient. We moved the game up for a potential Hurricane in San Diego, which is unheard of. We've been through so much this year. And I think whatever comes our way, we adapt, and we change, and we just go at it with our whole heart. And I think we left our hearts on the field today, and unfortunately it wasn't the result we wanted. But you know, we learn from this, and we move forward."

Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós

*On the team's resilience

"The team was unbelievable. How they played and how they fought despite all the problems. Not being able to get at least a point or three points that I think we definitely deserve out of that game is heartbreaking. But it's part of the game, and I couldn't be prouder of of the players"

*On the decision to place Nealy Martin in goal

"We knew Nealy was on the pitch, it was the the next option. She's done it before at the college level. When we do things where players do fun games and stuff, she's good in those little games that sometimes we do, and she's intelligent to defend behind the line. She was excellent, and stepped up. No doubt she's there for the team."

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 19, 2023


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