SAN DIEGO - Wave FC ended its three-game home winless streak Friday night with a 4-2 victory over the Utah Royals at Snapdragon Stadium, getting two goals from Trinity Byars and one each from Melanie Barcenas and Ludmila to secure three points against one of the top teams in the NWSL standings. Both teams now have 36 points, but the Royals hold the tiebreaker on goal differential, 10-6.

San Diego entered the match looking to turn around its recent home form while extending its perfect record against Utah. The Wave had won all five previous meetings between the clubs and continued that streak with an attacking performance that produced four goals.

The Wave wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Byars opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finding the back of the net for her seventh goal of the season. Barcenas provided the assist with a well-placed through ball that sent Byars into space.

The early goal continued a strong trend for San Diego, which entered the match with an 8-2-0 record when scoring first this season.

Utah responded in the 29th minute when Mina Tanaka scored her seventh goal of the season to level the match at 1-1. Tanaka gave the Royals a consistent threat in the final third.

San Diego answered before halftime. In the 40th minute, Byars broke away and found Barcenas, who finished the opportunity to give the Wave a 2-1 lead. The goal marked Barcenas' fifth of the season and created a unique connection between the two attackers, with each assisting the other's goal.

“Over the past few months being able to practice with her, we were able to build a connection,” said Byars. “I think that was able to show tonight on the field and I'm excited to continue to do that.”

The Wave continued to rely on through balls and quick transitions to create chances. After Tanaka's first goal, Byars nearly earned a penalty when she broke away again, but a Utah defender managed to get the ball away with a tackle inside the box.

Utah leveled the match again shortly after halftime. Tanaka scored her second goal of the night in the 47th minute, with Cloé Lacasse providing the assist to make it 2-2.

San Diego responded quickly once again.

In the 63rd minute, Jordan Fusco entered the match for Laila Harbert and immediately made an impact. One of Fusco's first touches was a through ball that sent Byars into space, and Byars finished the opportunity for her second goal of the night and eighth of the season.

After scoring twice, Byars added another assist in the 70th minute, setting up Ludmila for the Wave's fourth goal. The goal was Ludmila's second of the season and ended a difficult scoring drought for the forward.

Ludmila's goal was particularly significant after head coach Jonas Eidevall discussed her contributions to the team during last week's postgame conference.

“Of course really nice for her and for the team, I think we can see in the way that she was helping the team both in offense and defense today,” said Eidevall. “She really fought for the team and that's the contribution that is just as important for the team as scoring goals.”

The goal was an important one for Ludmila, who scored 13 goals for the Chicago Stars last season. Her quality has remained evident throughout the season, but Friday's finish provided a much-needed breakthrough.

Laila Harbert made her first start for the club, stepping into the lineup with Kimmi Ascanio and Kenza Dali unavailable.

“I'm really grateful to be a part of this team and when the opportunity came I was really grateful for that and Jonas and the other staff's trust in me,” said Harbert. “I've been training for maybe five or six sessions so I fit right in but hopefully more to come and I'm really excited to be a part of this team.”

Harbert also said the starting role suited her style of play and credited her teammates for helping her adjust quickly.

“I definitely would say the starter playing suits me so hopefully I've integrated well and working with Jonas previously I know the structure and starter play he primarily wants to play. The girls have been really supportive since I arrived, so I definitely enjoyed tonight.”

San Diego made several substitutions late in the match, with Adriana Leon replacing Byars in the 72nd minute. Perle Morroni also came off for Brooklyn Courtnall, who continued her time with the Wave on loan from Bay FC. Gabi Portillo replaced Barcenas in the 89th minute. Utah thought it had found another goal in the 82nd minute off a set piece, but a VAR review determined the play was offside, keeping San Diego's two-goal advantage intact.

The Wave finished the match with 46% possession compared to Utah's 54%, but San Diego was more efficient with its opportunities. The Wave recorded 13 shots and five on target, while Utah finished with 12 shots and only two on target.

The victory was also significant given San Diego's injury situation. Kimmi Ascanio and Kenza Dali remained unavailable and were not included on the bench, while Gia Corley was also absent from the matchday squad. The Wave continued to adjust to a depleted roster.

Defensively, Kristen McNabb and captain Kennedy Wesley once again started together in the center of the back line, receiving strong support from the Snapdragon Stadium crowd during the starting lineup announcements.

The victory gave San Diego a much-needed boost at home, while the four-goal performance highlighted the attacking potential that has been present throughout the season. Byars, Barcenas and Ludmila all found the back of the net as the Wave continued their perfect record against Utah.

Website Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography