SAN DIEGO (Sunday, May 12, 2024) - NJ/NY Gotham FC brought the club’s two-game road swing to a close on Sunday night, earning a 1-1 draw against San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. 
 
Gotham FC again brought the pressure on early, as in the eighth minute of play, midfielder Delanie Sheehan set up the club’s first dangerous opportunity of the match. Sheehan delivered a cross into the box that split two Wave defenders and found forward Ella Stevens in front of goal. Stevens' shot went just above the crossbar, but it wouldn’t be her last attempt of the first half. 
 
As Gotham FC continued to create chances, defender Bruninha delivered a service in the 23rd minute to Sheehan, whose header on goal tipped off the crossbar and out of play.
 
Moments later, Gotham FC struck first to take the 1-0 advantage in the 25th minute. Gotham FC defender Jenna Nighswonger found Stevens, who brought the service down on a half-turn before finishing on a half-volley to score her first goal with the club this season.
 
Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, coming off her second-straight shutout performance, was essential in the first half in keeping the Wave off the scoresheet. Berger made three crucial saves to keep San Diego scoreless heading into halftime. 
 
At the end of the first half, Gotham FC led the Wave on the scoresheet, as well as in shots (7-3) and completed passes (155-153). 
 
Early in the second-half, Gotham FC continued the offensive firepower. In the 53rd minute, defender Emily Sonnett found forward Esther in stride inside the box for an open look at goal. However, Wave keeper Kailen Sheridan made a diving save to prevent the score.
 
San Diego nearly had a response on a set piece by forward Maria Sanchez in the 60th minute. Sanchez aimed a curling shot at the top right corner, but Berger made another pivotal save. 
 
The Wave found the equalizer in the 64th minute on a corner kick headed in by Hanna Lundkvist.
 
Following six minutes of stoppage time, the match finished in a 1-1 draw. Gotham FC led the way in shots (14-9), shots on goal (9-8), and completed passes (283-271).
 
Gotham FC will return home to Red Bull Arena to host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, May 19, with kickoff set for 5 pm ET.
 

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POSTGAME ASSETS 
 
POSTGAME QUOTES
Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros 
On Gotham FC’s last two road games…
I couldn't be prouder of the team. I think today the first half, especially the first 30 minutes, 35 minutes we dominated, playing really really well. Last 10 minutes were more even than the second half. It was quite clear that we wanted that second goal for those 15-20 minutes. I think we had a few chances really to kill the game. I think obviously San Diego is a fantastic team playing at home. They get the equalizer on a set piece, and then it was a difficult moment. Now, they put you under pressure. The players have given absolutely everything, they've had amazing effort this week, and I think getting out of here finally, finally, with a point, is a bit bittersweet because there were moments in the game where definitely we could have sealed it. But once we didn't, you know, I think a point is adding something to the board.
 
On forward Ella Stevens’ performance…
Well, I think it's unbelievable. The way Ella is growing at the moment. Obviously, she wasn't playing at all. But then, she's working extremely hard every day, understanding the concepts, executing technical actions, tactical movements, combining being key on offensive pace. I think she's been involved directly in consecutively scoring four games where she's been involved in all those actions. So credit to her because she's a clear example of commitment, hard work, growing and adding value to her game, to the team, and definitely today. That goal was special. 
 
Gotham FC midfielder Delanie Sheehan
On getting a point in San Diego…
I think this point is big time for us. We haven’t gotten points off of them ever, so I think every game we’ve come out of it feeling disappointed because we do compete with them. So, to get a point out of them is big time for us, especially at the end of a long week. 
 
On the set-up leading to Ella Stevens’ goal…
For that goal, me and Jenna have worked a lot since last year on our relationship, so I kind of know where she’s going to be at. I was just able to get the ball out to her, and obviously she found a great ball to Ella, and Ella scored a great goal. 
 
Gotham FC forward Ella Stevens
On scoring her first goal for Gotham FC…
I think Jenna has really been finding me, and credit to her. She works on that ball into the box “Did it go in?” But D (Delanie Sheehan) was really excited. It felt good, it was fun. 
 
On continuing momentum back home in their next match against the Chicago Red Stars…
I think we just carry it into training. Just keep competing and keep building off of what we’ve been trying to do on the field. I think it’s just the energy we have in the locker room, just keep going. 
 
Key Match Notes

• Gotham FC earned a point against San Diego Wave FC for the first time in five regular season meetings.
• Gotham FC shut out its opponent in the first half for the fifth time in eight regular season games this year.
• The club also scored for the fourth consecutive match.
• The club is now 2-0-1 when leading at the half this year and is undefeated in its last 15 matches (12-0-3) when leading at the half.
• Gotham FC has now won or tied the last 17 times it has scored first in the regular season.
• Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a NWSL career-best six saves.
• Midfielder Nealy Martin won seven of 12 aerial duels. Both the wins and attempts are the most for her in the regular season in her career.
• Defender Jenna Nighswonger earned her first career regular season NWSL assist on forward Ella Stevens’ goal.
• In the 25th minute, Stevens scored her first Gotham FC goal. She has now scored twice against San Diego in her career.

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MATCH SUMMARY
San Diego Wave FC vs. Gotham FC
May 12, 2024 – Snapdragon Stadium
 
Goals by Half               1       2          F
San Diego Wave            0      1          1
Gotham FC                    1      0          1
 
Scoring Summary:
SD: Hanna Lundkvist (64’)
NJY: Ella Stevens (26’)
 
Misconduct Summary:
SD: Yellow Cards: Hanna Lundkvist (30’)
NJY: Yellow Cards: Esther (45+2’), Maitane Lopez (90+5’)
 
Lineups:
NJY: Ann-Katrin Berger, Bruninha (Taryn Torres 86’), Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett, Esther (Crystal Dunn 76’), Lynn Williams(C), Ella Stevens (Rose Lavelle 46’), Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan (Maitane Lopez 83’), Sam Hiatt
 
SD: Kailen Sheridan, Emily Van Egmond, Hanna Lundkvist (Kaitlyn Torpey 71’), Jaedyn Shaw, Kennedy Wesley, Kristen McNabb, Makenzy Doniak (Amirah Ali 59’), Mya Jones (Maria Sanchez 46’), Christen Westphal, Savannah McCaskill, Danny Colaprico (Kyra Carusa 59’)
 

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