Copper Queens striker Racheal Kundananji was relieved after breaking her scoring duck for the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. She netted Bay FC’s goal in their 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign FC at the PayPal Park on Sunday morning.
The hosts nearly shot themselves in the foot when Joelle Anderson scuffed a back pass straight into Seattle Reign’s hands. Fortunately for Bay FC, Jordyn Huitema, who only had shotstopper Jordan Silkowitz to beat, fumbled the chance.
Against the run of play, Abby Dahlkemper cleared the ball into Seattle’s half, playing in Caroline Conti for a break. The attacker decisively passed the ball to Racheal Kundananji, who bore down on goal.
The Zambian’s resulting left-footed strike hit both uprights before bulging the net, giving Bay FC the lead.
The goal did not faze the visitors, who continued to fire on all cylinders after the break. Seattle Reign eventually drew parity in the 50th minute from a Jordyn Huitema header. Both sides had opportunities to notch a winning goal in the later exchanges but settled for the draw.
Kundananji has now ended her five game goal drought for Bay FC, scoring her first goal of the campaign. She recorded five goals and four assists in 22 matches during her debut season last year.
Following the match, Bay FC head coach Albert Montoya reacted to Kundananji’s first goal, saying, “It’s massive for a forward to get her first goal. Its exactly what she needed. Because she’s been pushing for it.”
Meanwhile, Kundananji was on cloud nine after ending her goal drought, delighting, “It [the goal] was very important to build my confidence because as a striker if you are not scoring your confidence will go down. If you score or assist it helps you build more confidence. When i got the chance, in my mind i was only thinking one thing, which was to put it behind the net. This goal has built my confidence“
“Like going five games without scoring as a striker? That’s a no. Because even if i was the coach I would be like ‘she’s not scoring, let me try to find someone to replace her‘,” joked the Copper Queens striker.
Kundananji added, “I am looking forward to score more and assist more. This [goal] has relieved me from this little pressure I had.“
Next for Bay FC is a visit to Snapdragon Stadium on May 5, where they will battle San Diego Wave, who have had a positive start to the season, occupying 5th position on the NWSL standings.
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