SAN JOSE >> A missed touch from Penelope Hocking, Bay FC’s leading scorer, fortuitously set up defender Alyssa Malonson alone on the left side of the box. She could see Portland’s goalkeeper faced with an almost impossible angle and seized the moment.

Malonson fired a missile of a shot into the left side of the net sneaking inside the left post. The complexity of the shot so high, even teammates were stunned. The first-career goal for the third-year defender was all Bay FC (4-3-4) needed in its 1-0 win over Portland Saturday night.

“Honestly,” Malonson said, “I looked around and I don’t think anyone else thought it went in. And I was like ‘No, that went in. Come cheer for me!’ But it was just so exciting. It was an awesome first goal.”

As Malonson was about to explain more from her point of view, star goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz chimed in.

“She hit that on the run as hard as she could,” Silkowitz said. “I’m just so thankful she scored on someone besides me. That’s really hard to do, the power and where she placed that in that moment, full speed. To be able to see the goalkeeper cheating and stick it in near-post — it’s such a good finish!”

After the 39th minute goal from Malonson, Bay FC locked in defensively and completely shut down Portland’s offense for a victory at PayPal Park.

Despite Malonson’s eye-popping goal, Silkowitz was the star of the match with five saves. She was all over the box as the anchor of the stifling defense. Her dominance freed defenders to apply pressure on Portland (4-4-3) and negate the Thorns’ space to operate. Silkowitz injects the team with the confidence to be aggressive and take chances.

Bay FC’s defense faced another challenge when starting defender Jordan Brewster left the game early on with a lower leg injury. But it was “next-woman-up” for Bay FC as Kelli Hubly filled in and the defense did not skip a beat.

“Super proud of this group,” Silkowitz said. “Hats off to Kelli Hubly coming in. I thought she was tremendous. Our ability to stay in our structure and be disciplined in that moment. I thought our back line and our front put in a shift, and I’m so proud just to grit out that win and grit out that clean sheet.”

Silkowitz’s biggest moment came at the end of the first half when she was faced with a one-on-one with Thorns’ forward Caiya Hanks. It turned out to be Portland’s cleanest look. After an errant play from Bay FC’s back line, Hanks emerged with the ball at her feet. Silkowitz rushed Hanks, forcing a rushed shot on goal and she blocked it with a sliding save.

Her save helped Bay FC notch its second win in its last three matches. Bay FC has now earned seven points in league play during that span, which included a draw against Houston.

“Our last three games have been very good, all in different ways,” Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya said. “We’re going to continue getting better, but credit to the players because they’ve put the work in for the past few months.

“Our mentality and the way we’re enjoying our football. That’s been the message, enjoy. Enjoy what you’re doing. Enjoy playing for each other. And you can see they are. They’re smiling and having fun, but at the same time, they’re competing and we’re trying to be the best. It showed out here today.”

Bay FC’s next opportunity will be another home game on Friday against the Orlando Pride.