Bay FC Scores Early, Holds On to Beat North Carolina Courage 3-1

Forward Alex Pfeiffer leads the way with a goal and assist as Bay FC earns first road win in nearly a year.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:52am

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Bay FC scored all three of its goals in the first half and held on to defeat the North Carolina Courage 3-1 in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday night. Forward Alex Pfeiffer opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and Keira Barry and Dorian Bailey added goals later in the half to give Bay FC a 3-0 lead at the break. North Carolina's Manaka Matsukubo scored in the 65th minute to pull one back, but Bay FC's defense held firm for the remainder of the match.

Why it matters

The win was a significant one for Bay FC, as it marked the team's first road victory in nearly a year. The impressive performance in the first half and resilient defense in the second half showed the team's growth and potential this season.

The details

Bay FC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, with Pfeiffer, Barry, and Bailey all finding the back of the net. North Carolina was able to pull one back in the 65th minute, but Bay FC's defense held strong for the remainder of the match to secure the victory. The win was especially meaningful for Bay FC, as it was the team's first road win since last April when they also defeated North Carolina 1-0.

  • Bay FC scored its three goals in the first half, with Pfeiffer scoring in the 20th minute, Barry in the 30th minute, and Bailey in the 34th minute.
  • North Carolina's lone goal came in the 65th minute, when Matsukubo scored.
  • The game was played on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Alex Pfeiffer

Bay FC forward who scored a goal and had an assist in the match.

Keira Barry

Bay FC player who scored her first NWSL goal in the 30th minute.

Dorian Bailey

Bay FC player who scored the team's third goal in the 34th minute.

Manaka Matsukubo

North Carolina Courage player who scored the team's lone goal in the 65th minute.

Emma Coates

Bay FC head coach who was pleased with the team's performance and resilience.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously delighted with the three points today. Particularly the manner of the performance in the first half and the resilience we showed at the end of the game. Just a really pleasing three points and still lots for us to work on and build on.”

— Emma Coates, Bay FC Head Coach

What’s next

Bay FC will return home to host the Washington Spirit and Trinity Rodman on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. at PayPal Park.

The takeaway

Bay FC's impressive first-half performance and resilient defense in the second half showed the team's growth and potential this season. The win was especially meaningful as it marked the team's first road victory in nearly a year, demonstrating their ability to earn tough results away from home.