A. Pfeiffer (8)
Denver Summit FC opened its inaugural season in the National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday night, facing Bay FC in the club’s season home opener. The match marked the first official NWSL game in Summit FC history, with several Denver players making their league debuts.
Making their first NWSL appearances for Summit FC were Tash Flint, Eva Gaetino, Melissa Kössler, Devin Lynch, Ayo Oke, and Emma Regan.
Starting XI
Denver Summit FC: Abby Smith, Kaleigh Kurtz, Devin Lynch, Janine Sonis (c), Ayo Oke, Emma Regan, Ally Brazier, Carson Pickett, Eva Gaetino, Melissa Kössler, Tash Flint
Bay FC: Racheal Kundananji, Karlie Lema, Alex Pfeiffer, Hannah Bebar, Taylor Huff, Claire Hutton, Maddie Moreau, Joelle Anderson, Brooklyn Courtnall, Sydney Collins, Jordan Silkowitz
Bay FC struck early in the 8th minute when Pfeiffer (17) found the back of the net, recording her second career NWSL goal—both coming in season openers—to give the home side a 1–0 lead.
Denver responded midway through the first half. In the 25th minute, Summit captain Janine Sonis delivered a pass to Kössler, who finished the play to score the first NWSL goal in club history and her first in the league, leveling the match at 1–1.
Moments later, the match shifted dramatically as Sonis was shown a red card in the 25th minute and ejected from the match. Summit FC played the remainder of the game with 10 players, and Kurtz assumed the captain’s armband for Denver.
Bay FC regained the lead in the 31st minute when Joelle Anderson scored to make it 2–1 heading into halftime.
Denver made a change at the break, with Olivia Thomas replacing Emma Regan, marking Thomas’ professional debut in the NWSL. Additional substitutions followed as Yuna McCormack entered for Ally Brazier in the 63rd minute, and Natalie Means made her NWSL debut in the 70th minute, replacing Carson Pickett.
Goalkeeper Abby Smith recorded five saves on the night, helping keep Summit FC within reach despite Bay FC controlling a higher percentage of possession throughout the match.
For Bay FC, the win marked the club’s first NWSL victory since June 2025.