Salmon Bay FC win the Battle for Seattle 2-1 over West Seattle Rhodies

Salmon Bay FC got their first win against in-city rivals West Seattle Rhodies FC on Wednesday night, their biggest three points of the season, keeping the Coho’s destiny in their own hands with three games remaining in the regular season.

First-half strikes from Ui Kaaihue and Ginny Lackey were enough to get the job done, with the Rhodies getting one back in the second half, but Salmon Bay did a great job of closing out the result for one of four must-win games down the stretch.

The result puts Salmon Bay ahead of West Seattle by points, tied atop the table with their next opponents, Snohomish United.

The first few minutes of the first half on Wednesday evening were in favor of the visitors, with West Seattle maintaining some attacking-half possession. However, as soon as Salmon Bay got their feet under them, they kept near-constant pressure on West Seattle from the fifth minute all the way through the first 45.

The breakthrough would come in lovely fashion 14 minutes in, with Maya Hindson tapping a perfect ball through to Ui Kaaihue, who slotted the opener into the side-netting from 10 yards. The goal was Kaaihue’s 4th of the campaign, and Hindson’s 2nd assist.

Kaaihue almost got her second in the 16th, but couldn’t keep her header on target after finding a yard of space at the top of the six.

The Rhodies’ only shot on target of the first half came off a headed corner in the 19th minute, easy picking for goalkeeper Blayke Warner.

In the 26th minute, Ameera Hussen jumped on a loose ball at the top of the box and unleashed a thunderbolt that forced a diving save out of Rhodies netminder Madi Munguia. The ensuing corner kick would be taken by Ginny Lackey, who whipped a ball to the near post, catching Munguia and the West Seattle defense completely off-guard, finding a way through the bodies and into the back of the net for a rare Olimpico.

Hindson would once again display some nifty build-up on the wing in the 37th, using a body fake to slip around her defender and deliver a ball across the middle, which would end up at the feet of Jourdyn Curran. Curran’s shot wrong-footed Munguia in net, leading to a bobble that almost trickled across the line before defender Imani Newby cleared.

The first half ended at 2-0, with Salmon Bay having dominated almost every facet of the 45, leading in shots, shots on goal, and total possession.

West Seattle made four substitutions coming out of the halftime break, and the changes seemed to be effective, as the Rhodies slowly regained attacking-half possession.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were largely devoid of chances going either way, and the first look of the period came out of nowhere. In the 60th minute, West Seattle substitute attacker Giovanna Hansen controlled a bouncing ball before having a crack from 25 yards out, beating Blayke Warner at her far post to cut the lead in half.

Star Rhodies striker Kunie Hirai intercepted an Anna Menti clearance in the 74th and took a long shot, forcing a save from Blayke Warner. Warner was once again called into action in the 80th, this time making a dramatic reaction save on a Jordan Zaharris half-volley.

West Seattle’s last big chance to equalize came in the 86th, when a cross to the top of the six was nearly swept home before a block and clearance from Juju Barker preserved the lead.

The Coho would professionally see out the final five minutes plus stoppage time, completing a massive home win and setting up a nailbiter finish to the regular season.

Alicia Barker was named player of the match for leading the line defensively and seeing out the result.

Captain Chat with POTM Alicia Barker

Match Facts

Ginny Lackey’s Olimpico was her 6th goal of 2026, setting a new club record for goals in a single season with three matches still to play, surpassing Samiah Shell’s five in 2025
Ui Kaaihue now has four goals and four assists in 2026, placing her second with eight total goal involvements behind only Ginny Lackey with nine
Salmon Bay has scored first in every home game of 2026
The win was the first in club history vs West Seattle, with the Rhodies picking up a win and a draw in 2025 before beating Salmon Bay in West Seattle earlier this season
The only current USL-W opponent that Salmon Bay has yet to beat is Snohomish United, who will play their first match against the Coho this weekend in Snohomish
Blayke Warner earned her fourth win of the season, making three crucial saves against a dangerous West Seattle attack

Scoring Recap:

14’ (SBFC): Scored by Ui Kaaihue (4), assisted by Maya Hindson (2)
27’ (SBFC): Scored by Ginny Lackey (6), unassisted
60’ (WSR): Scored by Giovanna Hansen

Starting XI

Blayke Warner, Anna Menti, Rachel Reitz, Alicia Barker, Juju Barker, Eleanor Morrisey, Jourdyn Curran, Ui Kaaihue, Ameera Hussen, Maya Hindson, Ginny Lackey

Subs Used:

Morgan Manalili, Maya Loudd, Samiah Shell, Amelia Severn, Aliyah Dockter

Written by Adam Race