HARRISON, N.J. — Gotham FC forward Jaedyn Shaw’s goal against San Diego Wave on Friday night helped the 2025 NWSL champions strengthen their position at the top of the National Women’s Soccer League table.

The 21-year-old found the back of the net against her former club in the 44th minute, scoring off an assist from rookie Jordynn Dudley in Gotham’s 1-0 win. Shaw calmly positioned herself in the right spot before bending the ball perfectly to slip through San Diego’s crowded box.

“For me, scoring goals is always amazing,” a smiling Shaw said after the game. “Obviously, to play at home, finally, is just so nice … even through the rain, lightning, monsoon, whatever just happened a couple hours ago.

“It was honestly really, really amazing to score in front of our home fans, and I hope we can continue to help the team win.”

The goal — Shaw’s fifth of the regular season and first since May 16 — helped Gotham extend their win streak to three games. The team has a 12-3-4 (win-loss-draw) record with a seven-game unbeaten streak.

Gotham has lost only one game since the NWSL’s monthlong pause for the men’s World Cup in June, falling 2-0 to San Diego on July 4. The Wave have been one of the most consistent teams in the NWSL this season and have floated at the top of the table. They are in fourth place with 32 points (10-7-2).

Ahead of the match, acting Gotham head coach Shaun Harris emphasized the importance of creating goal-scoring opportunities in the attacking third. He described Friday night’s win as a “really good team performance,” emphasizing Shaw’s ability to come up in big moments for the club.

“We’ve spoken a lot and watched a lot of filming in the areas that she gets in,” Harris said, referring to the specific shot she finessed by bending around San Diego’s goalkeeper. “It’s very, very difficult to defend, so that was something that we looked (at) and we worked on, so I’m really pleased that she was able to execute today.”

Gotham has momentum in the second half of the season despite several weeks on the road and lots of change in the locker room.

The team’s head coach, Juan Carlos Amorós, is on parental leave, and the club recently lost two of its most veteran players. Defender Emily Sonnett suffered a season-ending knee injury last month. The club also mutually agreed to terminate 2023 World Cup winner Esther González’s contract, which ran through 2027. Citing personal reasons, the striker said she is stepping away from soccer to return to Spain.

Former Chelsea star Sam Kerr, who played three seasons for the franchise when it was Sky Blue FC, recently re-signed with Gotham. The team also signed a pair of NWSL veterans in Ireland captain Denise O’Sullivan and midfielder Meredith Speck.

Gotham also welcomed back several players who have had long absences due to injury, including defenders Mandy Freeman and Bruninha. Midfielder Taryn Torres was also recently activated off the club’s season-ending injury list, returning Friday night to roaring applause in her first home game since she tore an ACL last year.

“Because it’s my second SEI, I kind of knew what it was going to be like,” Torres said, “and the biggest thing that I focused on was staying present and taking it day by day. So, whether that was rehab, whether that was being positive, whether that was whatever came my way, I just stayed present. … Today, being able to be back out on the field, it’s so rewarding.”

Friday night marked Gotham’s first match at Sports Illustrated Stadium since May 31, with an electric crowd flocking to Harrison despite severe thunderstorms and flooding in the area, making it difficult to get to the stadium.

Gotham return to the pitch Aug. 14 against the Kansas City Current.