It didn’t take long for Macy Bell.
She had a solid first record in the NWSL.
In a team full of veterans, it was a rookie player who stood out at the crucial moment.
Bell came off the bench and scored the winning goal in the 99th minute to help Gotham beat the San Diego Wave 2-1 on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena.
“After I scored I kind of blacked out,” Bell said. “I was just so happy. It was a very surreal moment. I could feel my teammates were so happy for me. It was an amazing moment.”
Gotham (8-3-2, 27 points) is unbeaten in its last nine games and extended its winning streak to five games. Gotham moved into third place behind the Current and Pride, both with 29 points.
They dominated for much of the second half, and Bell, a defenseman who was Gotham’s first-round draft pick this year (14th pick), made a run into the Wave’s penalty box.
She received a cross from Jenna Neiswonger and shot past Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheriden to give Gotham a 2-1 lead.
Bell replaced Bruninha in the 84th minute and scored a goal about 15 minutes later.
It was Bell’s first goal in the NWSL.
“I’m glad God gave me long legs to get that first touch,” Bell said. “I’ve worked hard and it’s good to finally get it done.”
Rose Lavelle put Gotham ahead. All she needed was an inch and it seemed almost inevitable she would punish them when she found herself alone in the Waves’ half just before halftime. Lavelle then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box that smashed past Sheridan and into the top corner.
Katie Stengel got the ball back for Gotham in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, and Lovell quickly picked it up and charged into the Wave defense.
Lavelle was able to touch the ball five times without a Wave defender coming forward to challenge him, giving him time to fire a curling missile into the back of the net.
The goal was Ravel’s third of the year and second in his last three games.
Mia Jones scored the Wave’s tying goal just a few minutes into the second half, catching a misplaced pass from Ann-Katrin Berger and shooting at the near post. Berger wasn’t under much pressure, but her one-touch pass went straight to Jones just as the goalkeeper wanted it back.
U.S. women’s national team legend Alex Morgan came on as a halftime substitute for the Wave and played in the second half but was quiet.
A year after winning the NWSL Championship, Gotham is feeling rejuvenated.
“Everybody took to the field to ensure Gotham’s victory,” head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said, “and that’s not just been during this streak, it’s been that way since the beginning of the year and since last year, and that’s why we’re the reigning champions.”
