SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Reign FC continued its strong run at home with a 2–0 victory over Bay FC on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Lumen Field, delivering another important result during the final stretch of the National Women’s Soccer League regular season.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Seattle broke the deadlock through captain Sofia Huerta, who converted a penalty early in the second half. Substitute Brittany Ratcliffe then added a second goal in stoppage time to secure all three points for the Reign.
The match also provided a special moment for African women’s soccer, with Zambian international Racheal Kundananji starting for Bay FC and creating several opportunities against the Seattle defense. Her presence at Lumen Field was another reminder of the growing influence of African players in the global women’s game.
A Scoreless First Half Sets the Stage
The opening half featured an energetic back-and-forth contest, with both teams creating opportunities but neither able to find the breakthrough.
Seattle created several early attacking opportunities. Maddie Dahlien helped generate danger on the left side, while Maddie Mercado and Nerilia Mondesir were involved in Seattle’s attacking movement.
Bay FC gradually settled into the match and began creating opportunities of its own.
One of the most notable moments came from Kundananji.
The Zambian forward found space between Seattle’s center backs and attempted to drive toward goal. Seattle’s defense managed to block the attempt, but the sequence demonstrated the pace and attacking threat Kundananji brought to Bay FC’s front line.
Later in the half, Bay FC produced another promising attack when Claire Hutton delivered a cross toward Kundananji. The Zambian international got her effort on target, but Seattle goalkeeper Cassie Miller was able to deal with the attempt.
At halftime, the score remained Seattle Reign FC 0, Bay FC 0.
Huerta Breaks the Deadlock
The match changed early in the second half.
Seattle’s Nerilia Mondesir drove into the Bay FC penalty area and was brought down following a challenge, resulting in a penalty kick for the Reign.
Captain Sofia Huerta stepped up to take the penalty.
Huerta calmly converted in the 52nd minute, sending the ball past Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz and giving Seattle a 1–0 lead.
The goal was particularly significant for Huerta.
It marked her 40th career NWSL regular-season goal, making her the 16th player in league history to reach the 40-goal milestone. It was also her second goal of the 2026 season.
Huerta’s achievement added another milestone to an already significant career. According to Seattle Reign, she also reached 75 regular-season goal contributions, consisting of 40 goals and 35 assists, placing her ninth in NWSL history in that category.
Cassie Miller Keeps Bay FC Off the Scoreboard
With Seattle holding a narrow 1–0 advantage, Bay FC continued to search for an equalizer.
One of Bay’s best opportunities came in the 62nd minute.
Claire Hutton unleashed a shot from the top of the box that forced Miller into a diving save. Miller got a hand to the ball and helped push it onto the post and away from danger.
Bay FC continued pressing, but Seattle’s defense and Miller’s goalkeeping prevented the visitors from finding the equalizer.
Miller finished the match with four saves, earning the shutout. It was also a significant personal milestone: she surpassed 100 career NWSL saves during the match.
The clean sheet was Seattle’s third consecutive shutout, while the Reign also recorded four consecutive home shutout victories.
Ratcliffe Seals the Victory
Bay FC continued pushing for an equalizer as the clock moved toward full time.
Seattle’s coaching staff brought Brittany Ratcliffe onto the field in the 89th minute, and the substitute made an immediate impact.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Ratcliffe received a ball from Mia Fishel, drove into the penalty area and calmly finished inside the right post.
The goal made it 2–0 and effectively ended Bay FC’s hopes of earning a point.
Ratcliffe’s goal was her third of the season and 13th career NWSL goal. It was also her sixth goal as a substitute, a figure that places her tied for second-most substitute goals in NWSL history.
Racheal Kundananji Represents Zambia on the Global Stage
For Channel A TV, one of the special storylines from the match was the opportunity to capture Racheal Kundananji in action.
The Zambian international started for Bay FC and was one of the players Seattle had to account for throughout the match.
Kundananji’s speed, movement and ability to attack space provided Bay FC with an important attacking outlet. She found opportunities in the first half, including the chance created from Hutton’s cross, but Seattle’s defense and Miller ultimately kept her and Bay FC off the scoresheet.
Her appearance in Seattle also represents a broader story about the increasing visibility of African footballers in elite women’s soccer.
Players from Africa continue to make their mark across major international leagues, competitions and national teams. Kundananji’s presence in the NWSL gives fans in the Pacific Northwest an opportunity to see one of Zambia’s leading football talents competing at the highest level of the American women’s professional game.
For African communities and soccer fans watching from Seattle and beyond, moments like these carry significance well beyond the final score.
A Strong Home Run for the Reign
The victory extended Seattle’s home unbeaten streak to six matches, with five wins and one draw during that stretch.
Seattle also completed the 2026 season sweep of Bay FC. The Reign previously defeated Bay 3–2 at PayPal Park on August 1, making the September victory Seattle’s second win over Bay FC this season.
The Reign entered the September 12 match with a record of 11–8–4 and 37 points, while Bay FC fell to 6–13–4 and 22 points following the result.
Seattle’s victory was also its third consecutive win.
The Numbers at Lumen Field
The match attracted 8,191 fans to Lumen Field on a cloudy Seattle evening with temperatures around 66 degrees.
Seattle finished with:
- 2 goals
- 15 total shots
- 6 shots on target
- 4 corner kicks
- 11 fouls
- 4 saves
- 1 offside
- Clean sheet
Bay FC recorded:
- 0 goals
- 11 total shots
- 4 shots on target
- 3 corner kicks
- 14 fouls
- 4 saves
- 2 offsides
The final scoreline did not tell the entire story. Bay FC had stretches of pressure, particularly after Seattle took the lead, but the Reign remained organized defensively and took advantage of its opportunities.
More Than Just Three Points
For Seattle Reign FC, the 2–0 result represented another important step during the closing stages of the regular season.
For Huerta, it was another career milestone.
For Miller, it was another clean sheet and a personal achievement.
For Ratcliffe, it was another example of making an impact off the bench.
And for Kundananji, it was another opportunity to represent Zambia on an international professional stage.
The match therefore offered several stories within one evening at Lumen Field—competitive NWSL soccer, individual milestones, defensive resilience and the continued growth of African representation in women’s professional football.
Channel A TV at Lumen Field
Channel A TV was there to capture the atmosphere and action surrounding the September 12 matchup between Seattle Reign FC and Bay FC.
From the stands to the pitch, the match provided another opportunity to document women’s professional soccer in Seattle and the growing international connections that make the NWSL increasingly significant to audiences around the world.
For African soccer fans in the Pacific Northwest, seeing Racheal Kundananji of Zambia competing at Lumen Field was an especially meaningful part of the evening.
As women’s soccer continues to expand its global reach, players such as Kundananji are helping connect African football with audiences across North America and beyond.
The final score belonged to Seattle:
Seattle Reign FC 2 — Bay FC 0
Sofia Huerta — 52′ (penalty)
Brittany Ratcliffe — 90+2′
Another home victory. Another clean sheet. Another chapter in the 2026 Reign season—and another memorable night of women’s soccer at Lumen Field.
Channel A TV — Connecting Communities Through Media, Sports & Storytelling.
#ChannelATV #SeattleReign #ReignFC #BayFC #NWSL #WomensSoccer #SeattleSports #LumenField #SofiaHuerta #BrittanyRatcliffe #RachealKundananji #Zambia #AfricanFootball #AfricanWomenInSports #ZambianFootball #Seattle #PacificNorthwest
