No. 2 Gotham held on last night, as Midge Purce’s early goal secured the defending champion’s 1-0 win over No. 14 Bay FC — despite a remixed starting XI.
Purce polished off Jaelin Howell’s knock-down header to register her 10th regular-season game-winner, breaking a club record previously shared with now-departed Esther.
Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz limited the damage with nine saves on the night — but even USWNT vet Abby Dahlkemper’s 84th-minute return from maternity leave wasn’t enough to turn things around after a disallowed Kennedy Fuller goal.
A reconfigured Gotham lineup took the pitch in San Jose, as interim coach Shaun Harris started reserve keeper Shelby Hogan over Ann-Katrin Berger, replaced injured Emily Sonnett with Jess Carter, and missed Esther’s attacking prowess up front.
Harris said he opted to give Berger “a little bit of a rest,” while failing to provide an update on Sonnett’s status beyond Tuesday’s brief mention of knee surgery.
“Jess had a really good game and she really showed her class, defending not just off the ball, but on the ball as well,” he said of the England international. “She’s a world class player that we really rely on.”
Gotham moves on to face No. 12 Houston on Saturday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+), before Bay hosts No. 10 Seattle at 8:45 PM ET (ION).
