Olivia Moultrie carries Thorns past Bay FC

Olivia Moultrie recorded her first NWSL brace with two second-half goals as the Portland Thorns rallied for a 2-1 victory over visiting Bay FC on Saturday night. The 20-year-old Moultrie has scored a career-best six goals this season while continuing to flash her promise. The Thorns (9-7-7, 34 points) ended a three- match winless streak (0-1-2) and moved into a tie for third with Gotham FC. Taylor Huff scored for Bay FC (4-12-7, 19 points), who was eliminated from playoff contention. Bay FC are winless over their last 12 matches (0-8-4) and announced on Sept. 8 that coach Albertin Montoya is resigning at the end of the season. The Thorns tied the score in the 51st minute as Sam Coffey dribbled in and passed the ball over to Moultire, who delivered a right-footed shot into the net. In the 69th minute, Moultrie took a free kick and sent a right-footed shot into the right corner to give Portland a 2-1 lead. In the first half, Bay FC moved ahead in the 36th minute on Huff's goal. Karlie Lema sent a pass over to Huff, who sent a left-footed shot past Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into the left corner of the net. Three minutes later, Lema had her own chance with a left-footer, but Arnold got her left hand on the shot to knock it wide of the net. Both Arnold and Bay FC's Jordan Silkowitz made one save. Bay FC's last victory was June 7, 1-0 against the Thorns in San Jose, Calif. –Field Level Media

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)