Late Fishlock Strike Salvages Point for Seattle Reign, Dampens Bay FC’s Upset Bid at Lumen Field

SEATTLE — At Lumen Field, with autumn settling across the Puget Sound, Seattle Reign FC’s playoff ambitions dangled by a thread—until, once again, Jessica Fishlock seized center stage. The Welsh veteran’s 84th-minute equalizer rescued a crucial point in a tense 1-1 draw against Bay FC, the league’s strugglers, staving off a defeat that would have cast fresh doubts on the Reign’s postseason hopes.

Seattle’s home crowd has grown accustomed to last-gasp heroics and late drama, but Saturday’s contest brimmed with a sense of urgency that underscored both teams’ seasons. For Bay FC, mired in 13th place and desperate for any sign of upward momentum, the match was less about chasing redemption than refusing resignation. For the Reign, perched in fifth but vulnerable to the logjam below, the night became a test of will against a determined but bruised opponent.

Huff Puts Bay FC Ahead as Reign Falter Early

For much of the evening, it looked as though Taylor Huff’s opportunistic strike in the 31st minute would define the narrative. Bay FC — still smarting from a string of narrow defeats, including last week’s 2-1 loss at Portland — found their breakthrough on a fluid counterattack. Huff, harrying the Reign backline, pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the penalty area and fired a low shot past Laurel Ivory, momentarily stunning a crowd expecting business as usual against a lower-table side.

The goal was Huff’s second in as many league matches, a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign for Bay FC, whose attacking options have often flickered without truly igniting. The visitors, emboldened by the lead, packed midfield and frustrated the Reign’s passing lanes, inviting Seattle to take risks and frequently pouncing on turnovers. But as the minutes ticked by, Bay’s inability to generate a second goal mirrored a season-long pattern: competitive for long stretches, but unable to land the decisive blow.

Reign’s Frustration Mounts—Until Fishlock Delivers

Seattle, meanwhile, labored to find rhythm. Their recent form — a rugged 0-0 draw away to Gotham, a narrow home win over North Carolina, and a disappointing defeat in Kansas City — reflected a team searching for consistency at precisely the wrong time. Maddie Dahlien, who had been the hero in the comeback win over the Courage, toiled up front but found little joy against Bay’s compact defense. The ball moved side-to-side, but clear openings were rare.

Yet for all their frustration, the Reign’s resilience has been forged through seasons of similar adversity. Head coach Laura Harvey turned to her bench in the second half, injecting fresh energy through Angelina and Ji So-Yun, and gradually Seattle’s pressure mounted.

Still, as the clock wound down, the result hung in the balance—until Fishlock intervened. Latching onto a clever through-ball from Angelina, Fishlock cut inside and unleashed a left-footed drive that caromed off the inside of the post and rippled the back of the net, her third goal in the past month. The roar from the Lumen Field faithful was equal parts relief and celebration.

Implications for the Standings

The draw keeps Seattle fifth in the NWSL, now on 34 points from 23 matches—a precarious position as the playoff race reaches its final turns. While the Reign avoided an upset that would have dented their postseason chances, the dropped points at home underline how congested the battle for playoff spots has become. Just three matches remain, and the margins are ruthlessly slim; any slip could spell disaster.

Bay FC, meanwhile, remain anchored in 13th, their total now 19 points. For a club in its inaugural campaign, the small victories matter: taking a point from a playoff contender on the road, showcasing young talent, and sharpening competitive edge for next season. Huff’s emergence gives Bay supporters hope for the future, but the hard truths of the table remain—12 losses from 23 matches, and a season where learning moments have been more plentiful than triumphs.

A Rivalry with an Edge—And Unfinished Business

While the history between these two clubs is still young, each contest has contributed to a developing rivalry defined as much by Bay’s hunger to challenge the established elite as by Seattle’s refusal to cede ground. Saturday’s draw marked the second meeting in a row in which Bay FC has pushed the Reign to the limit, underscoring the parity that now permeates the NWSL’s middle and lower tiers.

No red cards marred the contest, but physicality was never far from the surface, particularly as the Reign pressed for a late winner and Bay FC dug in to preserve their point.

Looking Ahead

For Seattle, the run-in offers no respite. With the playoff fight tightening and every point assuming outsized importance, Harvey’s squad will need to summon both resolve and ruthlessness—a challenge they know well, but one whose stakes have rarely felt higher. Fishlock’s knack for timely goals remains a lifeline, but the Reign must find greater fluency if they hope to extend their season into November.

Bay FC, meanwhile, can claim a moral victory—outplaying the odds, if not rewriting the standings. Huff’s form hints at a brighter 2026, and for now, every lesson learned is a step toward relevance in a relentlessly competitive league.

At Lumen Field, the final whistle brought a complex reckoning: one team clinging to hope, the other refusing to surrender. The playoff math may be unforgiving, but the drama—on this night—was at its purest.