SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Diego Wave FC closed out its regular season with a 1-0 win over Bay FC on Sunday at PayPal Park, finishing the season with a road victory and one final push for the NWSL Shield. Defender Mimi Van Zanten scored the game’s only goal in the ninth minute, but Gotham FC’s 2-0 win over Utah Royals meant San Diego would finish second in the standings. 

The Wave entered Sunday needing a win over Bay and a Gotham loss to claim the Shield. San Diego took care of its part, earning three points and finishing the season with a 18W-8L-4D record. However, Gotham’s result in Utah ended the Wave’s hopes of moving into first place. 

Bay came out aggressively, applying pressure early and forcing goalkeeper Sandra Paños into a strong save within the first three minutes. San Diego quickly settled into the game and began controlling possession, eventually taking the lead in the ninth minute. 

Van Zanten found the back of the net for her second goal of the season after a well-timed through ball from Kenza Dali. With space inside the box, Van Zanten took the shot from a tight angle and sent it into the side netting to give San Diego a 1-0 advantage. 

Van Zanten’s goal also reflected the progress she has made throughout the season. Head coach Jonas Eidevall praised her development, particularly her improvement in the attacking third.

“She's been running up and down that right flank from the first game,” Eidevall said. "She has been developing her game, she's been maturing both in tactical decision making but also one part here is to get an even better end product in the final third, and I think the goal is a great example of that.”

The Wave continued to create opportunities throughout the first half. Kimmi Ascanio nearly doubled the lead in stoppage time after a give-and-go combination with Lia Godfrey, but Bay kept the deficit at one heading into the break. 

At halftime, San Diego held 64% possession, while both teams recorded five shots. Bay had two shots on target compared with one for the Wave. In the simultaneous match, Gotham held a 1-0 lead over Utah, putting the Shield further out of reach for San Diego. 

The second half became more back-and-forth, with both sides creating chances. Paños came up with another important save in the 54th minute, stopping a powerful long-range effort from Bay. Melanie Barcenas nearly extended San Diego’s lead in the 71st minute with a knuckleball shot from near the top of the box, but the attempt stayed out. 

San Diego made its first change in the 73rd minute, bringing on Ludmila for Gia Corley. Laila Harbert replaced Ascanio in the 80th minute after the midfielder appeared to suffer an injury. Barbara Bonansea later entered for Godfrey in the 88th minute. 

Bay pushed forward during the final minutes, looking for an equalizer as San Diego focused on protecting its lead. The Wave held on to secure the 1-0 win and finish the regular season with just one loss in their last 10 games. 

San Diego finished with 58% possession and 12 shots, with two on target. Bay recorded nine shots, four on target. With the victory, the Wave finished second in the standings after Gotham secured the Shield with its 2-0 win over Utah. Had the Wave lost, third-place Washington would have moved into second place given the Spirit 2-0 win over Chicago.

With the regular season complete, the Wave now turn their attention to the NWSL playoffs, where they will face the Utah Royals in the quarterfinals on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. PT on Prime Video.

Dali recognized the challenge Utah presents but emphasized the importance of playing on San Diego’s terms.

“I think Utah is a really great team that really progressed from every season. They've done a great job this season and it's obviously playoffs, so it's going to be a difficult game. Every game is going to be difficult. It's up to us, at home, to make them run and play our game, and we're going to do everything to get the result,” Dali said.

If the Wave win the quarterfinal, their No. 2 seed guarantees them another home playoff match.