SAN DIEGO - San Diego Wave FC’s five-game winning streak came to an end Sunday after a 2-2 draw against Boston Legacy FC at Snapdragon Stadium. After falling behind early in the second half, the Wave responded with two goals in three minutes to take the lead, but Boston found an equalizer in the 73rd minute to earn a point and leave San Diego needing help in the NWSL Shield race.

Despite the draw, San Diego made club history, setting a new record with 43 goals scored in a regular season. The Wave entered the match on a five-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 10-3 during that stretch. With Gotham FC also winning Sunday, San Diego needed a victory to keep its Shield hopes close. Instead, the draw means the Wave must beat Bay FC in their final match and hope Gotham lose to Utah Royals FC to have a chance at finishing first.

“We are disappointed with the result, which of course speaks a bit about how far we have come with expectations that we put on ourselves,” head coach Jonas Eidevall said. “The most important thing is that we need to get ready for next week, and that's the task that we have ahead of us.”

Boston came out pressing high and putting pressure on San Diego’s back line. The Wave struggled to settle in during the opening minutes, as an early giveaway led to a Boston corner and a dangerous shot from Amanda Gutierres. Boston continued to look for opportunities, but San Diego gradually found its rhythm and began creating chances of its own.

Lia Godfrey nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a Boston defender gave the ball away, but her shot went directly to goalkeeper Laurel Ivory. Seven minutes later, Gia Corley found space after a creative sequence involving Melanie Barcenas and Trinity Byars, but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.

San Diego continued to generate chances through crosses and balls into the box. In the 35th minute, the Wave appeared to break through when Corley carried the ball forward and connected with Godfrey, whose cross found Byars. Ivory saved Byars’ attempt, and Barcenas’ follow-up was also stopped before Godfrey finished the rebound. However, a video review ruled the goal offside, keeping the match scoreless.

At halftime, San Diego held 61% possession and had eight shots, with two on target. Boston recorded six shots, also putting two on target. Despite the missed opportunities, the Wave remained level heading into the second half.

Boston struck first in the 48th minute. Annie Karich scored her first NWSL goal in the 48th minute, hitting in a curling cross to give Boston a 1-0 lead and putting the Wave behind for the first time in the match.

San Diego responded almost immediately. In the 51st minute, Barcenas delivered a pass to Corley, who waited out wide before striking toward the far post. The ball hit the post and crossed the line to tie the match at 1-1. The goal was Corley’s fourth of the season and continued her strong recent form.

Just three minutes later, the Wave took the lead. Van Zanten played a through ball down the right side to Dali, who sent a cross into the box. Byars pressured the defender as the ball arrived, forcing an own goal that put San Diego ahead 2-1.

The Wave looked to protect their advantage as Boston continued to push forward. In the 63rd minute, Kennedy Wesley made a crucial tackle on Aïssata just as the Boston attacker appeared to have a clear opportunity on goal. Kristen McNabb also repeatedly recovered to disrupt through balls and limit Boston’s attacking chances.

Boston found its equalizer in the 73rd minute. Alba Caño received the ball outside the box, turned toward goal and unleashed a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-2.

McNabb said Boston presented a different attacking challenge for the Wave, particularly with its use of two forwards. While she felt San Diego handled the matchup well overall, she acknowledged the frustration of conceding twice.

“Boston showed us a different kind of attack. We don't face two forwards that often, and I think we handled it fairly well, but I think we're disappointed with letting up those goals,” McNabb said. “It's positive how we reacted to that and how we came back, and I think we did limit them to not many chances. We just need to fine-tune and limit the next team to even less.”

The final 15 minutes were tense as both teams searched for a winner. San Diego pushed forward, keeping much of the play in Boston’s half during the closing stages. Byars came close to restoring the lead in stoppage time after a cross from Perle Morroni, but she couldn’t redirect the ball on target.

Boston also threatened late, but San Diego’s defenders recovered to prevent another goal. The Wave finished with 59% possession and 13 shots, four on target, while Boston recorded 11 shots and five on target.

With the regular season nearing its end, San Diego now turns its attention to the playoffs and hosting a postseason match at Snapdragon Stadium. McNabb and Barcenas are among the few current Wave players who experienced the club’s home playoff atmosphere in 2022, and McNabb believes the team has the right mix of experience and youth heading into the postseason.

“I think it's nice that we [herself and Barcenas] have experience and that we have seen a playoff game at Snapdragon, but I think we have a very experienced team and we also have a lot of youth,” McNabb said. “The young players on our team are wise beyond their years and have exceeded our expectations…we're excited to play in front of our fans.”

Eidevall emphasized that the team must stay committed to its identity as the pressure increases.

“When the stakes are the highest, that's where we should be truest to ourselves,” Eidevall said.

The result ends San Diego’s five-game winning streak and sends the Shield race to the final matchday. Gotham holds the advantage and can clinch the title with a win or tie against Utah Royals FC. San Diego must defeat Bay FC and hope Gotham loses to keep its Shield hopes alive.

Although the Wave missed an opportunity to strengthen their position in the standings, their club-record 43 goals reflect the attacking progress they have made throughout the season. With one match remaining before the playoffs, San Diego will look to carry that momentum forward and prepare for the postseason.