Geyse leads Gotham FC to a solid win over Bay FC | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC welcomed Bay FC on a hot summer day to New Jersey to play one another for the first time this season. The game was the team’s Juneteenth celebration, so there was so much to celebrate on and off the pitch, for the Bats ended their winless streak last weekend against Utah Royals FC. But could they secure a second win in a row?  The answer was yes, winning 2-1.

Regardless, it was going to be a challenging match since Gotham FC has been struggling this year and was tied on points with Bay FC entering the game.  The home side was also missing quite a few players due to injury and red cards, including Jess Carter and Ella Stevens.  Then, Rose Lavelle surprisingly started, which meant she had to come out after the first half.

Plus, Sports Illustrated Stadium has not been the fortress that is was in 2024.  Gotham only won once at home before Saturday, doing better so far on the road in 2025.  Of course, now they can add a second to that total.

The 2-1 win is a perfect way to enter the NWSL break.  Gotham can celebrate and know they have a win from their last game as the weeks go by until they play again.

Gotham FC won against Bay FC

This was not a perfect game in any way, given how Gotham FC played.  There were numerous giveaways, and the ladies were sometimes shaky with their passing.  There were also too many moments where the backline had a player or two too far up the pitch, enabling Bay FC chances in the attack.

One could argue that the Bats were slightly lucky, for many of those chances were weak.  Everyone helped out in the defense as well, for the blocks and clearances also limited those opportunities.  This in hand kept the NJ/NY side in the match, and eventually led to the goals.

The first two goals in the match were due to mistakes.  Bay FC scored the opener in the 11th minute via a tap-in from Penelope Hocking.  Ann-Katrin Berger moved toward the Bay player but missed the save.  This allowed Hocking to go around the goalkeeper and put her side in front.

But eventually, Gotham was fortunately gifted a mistake by the visitors in the 30th minute to level the game.  Bay gave up the ball in their own box after they let Sarah Schupansky intercept it, and Esther González was in the perfect spot to pounce on the ball.  She directed it past the goalkeeper, Emmie Allen, putting it into the goal.

Thankfully, that would not be the only goal for Gotham.  In the 55th minute, Nealy Martin was a little beyond the halfway line in her team’s own half.  The midfielder, who was playing as a center-back, sent the ball flying into the attack.  It flew directly to Geyse, who controlled the ball with one touch, powerfully forcing the ball into the back of the net. Ultimately, that would be the game-winner.

Meanwhile, Josefine Hasbo made her NWSL debut when she came on for Lavelle in the second half.  This was a great opportunity for the recently signed player, for she will be away with Denmark for the Euros and will not get time to impress during training when the NWSL break occurs.

Plus, Bruninha, who played 61 minutes, was brilliant on the right side.  The Brazilian played as a winger and had a few good balls into the box.  But she also joined the backline when Gotham was playing defensively.  The right-back by trade continues to do well when called upon.

After two straight wins, the next step will be for the injured players to get healthy and for the Bats to continue improving their play. Ideally, once the main international window is over and those not in any continental tournaments return, Gotham FC will schedule a few friendly games to keep up the good work.