Joelle Anderson scored what became the winning goal in the 79th minute as Bay FC earned a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday before a record-breaking crowd of 35,038 at Wrigley Field.
Anderson’s shot from close range found the net to the bottom right corner past Red Stars goalie Alyssa Naeher as Bay FC took a 2-0 lead. Penelope Hocking scored in the third minute of extra time for Chicago, but Bay FC (4-0-8) held on and won for the second time in its last three games.
Defender Kiki Pickett scored in the 25th minute for Bay FC with her shot from outside the box finding the bottom right corner of the net.
Saturday’s announced attendance broke the former National Women’s Soccer League record of 34,130, set in October 2023 at Seattle’s Lumen Field for Megan Rapinoe’s final regular-season match.
The game also marked the first professional women’s sporting event at the ballpark since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League hosted the stadium’s first night game in 1943.
With the win, Bay FC avenged a 2-1 loss to the Fire on May 5. With 12 points, Bay is tied for 10th place in the 14-team league.
They came, they saw, they made history at Wrigley Field!
Red Stars vs. Bay FC highlights presented by @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/6CWN444McG
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 9, 2024
Photos: Chicago Red Stars set NWSL attendance record at Wrigley Field
