Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala recorded another first for her club, Bay FC, by converting their first-ever penalty kick, leading to a 1-0 win over Racing Louisville FC on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Nigerian superstar, who has consistently impressed in the National Women's Soccer League, set her third record with the club, following her first goal and first win in the USA women’s top flight, a Game Week 1 triumph at Angel City FC on March 18 at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California.
The reigning and record six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, Oshoala's clinical conversion of the 76th-minute penalty at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, secured all three points for Bay FC in their Game Week 15 fixture.
This was her third goal for the NWSL newcomers, all of which were scored on the road.
She was also on target at Angel City FC on Game Week 1 and the Game Week Six 2-1 defeat at San Diego Wave FC on April 28 at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California, where she scored on 48 minutes to cancel out Makenzy Doniak’s 13th minute opener for their hosts before Jaedyn Shaw scored the match winner on 78 minutes.
Once again, all eyes were on her after achieving the feat, with media personnel jostling to hear what she had to say.
In a post-match interview on Bay FC's official Instagram page, Oshoala attributed the team's success to hard work and mental toughness, stating, “Bro, I trained for five months. To be honest, I think it was a good game. Hard work under the weather here. The weather is very harsh, and we had to go all out, work for ourselves, work for each other, and just take our chances. That was what happened today. And I feel that mentally, the girls are getting better. First back-to-back for the team, and I think we deserved it. It was a big moment; the team needed a goal at that moment, and I just had to step up for that, and I decided to take it,”.
Oshoala, who made her 13th start in 14 appearances for Bay FC, was replaced by Caroline Conti three minutes into added time as Albertin Montoya’s team secured their sixth win of the series.
The win took Bay FC from 12th to 8th in the standings, the last Final Series spot, having mustered 18 points in 12 matches, winning six, drawing none, and losing nine.
Next for Bay FC is a potentially arduous trip to PayPal Park, San Jose, California, for their Game Week 16 clash with the Washington Spirit on July 7.
