ORLANDO, Fla. - San Diego Wave FC defeated Orlando Pride 2-1 Friday at Inter.Co Stadium, earning its 16th win of the season and securing a spot in the NWSL playoffs.

The Wave improved to 16W-8L-3D with the win, while Orlando fell to 10-14-3 and was eliminated from the playoff race.

San Diego has won six of its last seven games and four straight. The Wave also remains unbeaten in games in which it scores, improving to 13-0-3 on the season.

The match started quickly with Orlando creating a dangerous chance within the opening minute. Barbra Banda carried the ball forward before finding Solai Washington, but Sandra Paños made the save to keep the game scoreless.

San Diego responded just minutes later.

In the fourth minute, Lia Godfrey opened the scoring for her sixth goal of the season. Trinity Byars played the ball back to Godfrey inside the box, and Godfrey dribbled across the area before placing her shot into the near post.

Godfrey’s goal added to an impressive season for the midfielder. She became one of just three American players in the NWSL over the last 13 seasons to record at least five goals and five assists in a single campaign.

The Wave doubled its lead in the 22nd minute through Gia Corley, who scored her third goal of the season.

After a poor attempted back pass toward Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morché, the ball bounced around the box as Kenza Dali and Byars both had opportunities that Morché saved. Corley eventually finished the sequence, sending the ball into the net to give San Diego a 2-0 lead.

San Diego’s pressure continued to make it difficult for Orlando to build out of its own half. The Wave repeatedly forced turnovers and used its ability to move the ball through tight spaces to regain possession.

Kimmi Ascanio was particularly effective in helping San Diego maintain possession under pressure, while the back line of Kristen McNabb and Kennedy Wesley remained composed when Orlando managed to advance the ball.

By halftime, San Diego held 58% possession and had recorded six shots with four on target. Orlando had seven shots but only two on target.

Corley said at halftime that the Wave needed to be more careful in transition, but credited the defense for its performance.

“We have to look after the transitions, we can’t give the ball away that easy,” said Corley. “But … our defense has been great.”

Orlando came out with more pressure after halftime and eventually found a way back into the match.

In the 48th minute, Wesley was called for a foul on Banda inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. After receiving treatment and remaining on the field, Banda stepped up and converted the penalty in the 52nd minute to make it 2-1.

The goal was Banda’s 17th of the season and the first time she had scored against San Diego.

Orlando made a triple substitution in the 64th minute, including bringing veteran Marta into the match as the Pride looked for an equalizer.

San Diego made changes of its own, with Ludmila and Laurina Fazer replacing Godfrey and Corley in the 59th minute. Fazer nearly added a third goal in the 63rd minute with a shot from outside the box.

Melanie Barcenas was replaced by Barbara Bonansea in the 78th minute, while Brooklyn Courtnall entered for Mimi Van Zanten in the 85th minute after Van Zanten began dealing with cramping.

Orlando continued to push late in the match, but San Diego’s defense held firm. McNabb and Wesley worked together to contain Banda throughout the night, limiting the forward’s opportunities outside of the penalty kick.

McNabb said her and Wesley’s consistency has grown throughout the season.

“We’ve had a lot of consistency this year,” McNabb said. “I think we’ve learned each other’s tendencies this season and we work in tandem well together.”

McNabb also credited the entire back line for learning how to defend some of the league’s top attackers.

“...It’s been learning each other the whole season and learning how to shut down big players like Banda, and it was a big win for the backline,” said McNabb.

The match became increasingly intense in the final minutes as Orlando searched for an equalizer. Ludmila received a yellow card in the final minute for a foul on Banda, giving Orlando one final opportunity, but the Pride could not find a second goal.

McNabb described the result as a sign of the team’s ability to win even when the match becomes difficult.

“That was an ugly second half and I think we gritted it out and we’ve learned that we can win ugly too and I think it’s just a testament to all the hard work.”

The win also comes as Byars continues to draw attention from the U.S. Women’s National Team. U.S. head coach Emma Hayes recently highlighted the forward’s well-rounded attacking skill set.

“What I like about Trinity is the combination of how she can hold the ball up to bring her team into play, but she can stretch in behind, get into the box,” said Hayes. “She’s got a vicious finish, she strikes the ball so true, and I think she’s a huge potential.”

San Diego finished the match with 61% possession compared to Orlando’s 39%. The Wave recorded 15 shots with six on target, while the Pride had 11 shots with three on target. San Diego also completed 600 passes compared to Orlando’s 372.

The result officially sends San Diego back to the NWSL playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, making the Wave just the third club in league history to reach the post season consistently over that span.

San Diego will now continue its push near the top of the NWSL standings with the playoffs secured.

Next Up. San Diego has two weeks until an AWAY match against North Carolina Courage on Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. PT. Airs on NWSL+.