Salmon Bay FC get Crucial win Against the Galaxy, set up "Win and We're in" Match on Sunday

Salmon Bay FC secured a necessary 3-0 win against the Tacoma Galaxy on Wednesday night, ensuring that Sunday’s regular season finale will be the division title decider.

A brace from Samiah Shell and a penalty kick from Eleanor Morrissey were enough to give Salmon Bay FC all three points on Victor Meléndez Night at Interbay Stadium. Wednesday’s victory completed the season sweep over the Galaxy as Salmon Bay FC also won 3-0 in Tacoma earlier this summer.

Alongside the massive victory, another big storyline from the match was a return to the field for Lauren Barnes. The Seattle soccer legend retired from the NWSL at the end of last season after a storied career with Seattle Reign FC. She is currently a part-owner of Salmon Bay FC and Ballard FC, and now she is officially a member of the 2026 Salmon Bay FC roster after starting on Wednesday night.

Salmon Bay FC controlled the match from start to finish and could have scored more than three goals in front of the home crowd.

Despite dominating the ball and creating many good chances, the first goal did not come until the 20th minute. A great team move was capped off by a tidy finish from Shell to open the scoring. The ball quickly moved from U’i Kaaihue to Morgan Manalili back to Kaaihue, then to Morrissey who dished it to Ameera Hussen. Hussen then finally slotted in Shell who guided the ball into the back of the net with her left foot.

After that goal, you could hear a collective sigh of relief from the crowd. Everyone knew that the hosts needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, so the tension would have only continued to grow the longer the match stayed scoreless.

The players seemed to grow in confidence after the goal and pushed for a second immediately. Just ten minutes later, the pressure was rewarded.

For the second time in as many matches, Hussen drew a penalty as she was brought down near the six yard box. Morrissey calmly stepped up and dispatched the spot kick to score her first goal for the club.

Shortly after the second goal, Barnes and Hussen were subbed off with Head Coach Malia Arrant seemingly having her eyes on Sunday’s all-important match.

The rest of the half was more of the same and the two teams went into the break with the hosts winning by two goals.

The second half felt like a carbon copy of the first with Salmon Bay FC dominating the ball and only being denied by the Galaxy goalkeeper.

Then in the 63rd minute came the best moment of the match. Manalili slid to save the ball at the endline and then found Aliyah Dockter who played it back to Manalili. Manalili then sent in a cross that found Morrissey who tapped it over to Shell who then found the top corner to collect her brace and make it 3-0.

After the third goal, Arrant emptied her bench and the hosts saw out the rest of the match to win.

Shell and Dockter were awarded co-players of the match by Arrant.

Now, all eyes are on Sunday as three teams vy for the division title, and the lone playoff spot.

The math is simple for each team:

Salmon Bay FC: Win on Sunday against Snohomish United to make the playoffs and win the division title.

Snohomish United: Win on Sunday against Salmon Bay FC to guarantee playoffs and win the division title.

West Seattle Rhodies FC: A win on Sunday against the Tacoma Galaxy AND a tie between Salmon Bay FC and Snohomish United will mean the Rhodies make the playoffs and finish as NW Division Champions.

Scoring Recap
20’ (SBFC): Samiah Shell, assisted by Ameera Hussen

31’ (SBFC): Eleanor Morrissey, penalty kick

63′(SBFC): Samiah Shell, assisted by Eleanor Morrissey

Starting 11

Elena Milam, Lauren Barnes, Alicia Barker, Maya Loudd, Anna Menti, Aliyah Dockter, Eleanor Morrissey, U’i Kaaihue, Morgan Manalili, Samiah Shell, Ameera Hussen

Subs Used

Megan Cardenas, Jourdyn Curran, Lauder Headrick, Caroline Studebaker, Ginny Lackey, Maya Hindson, and Juju Barker