Bay FC NWSL suffered a 1-0 loss to Chicago Stars on Sunday, despite Mallory Swanson's first goal since returning from maternity leave. Swanson, a U.S. women's national team forward, scored in the 70th minute, dribbling through Bay's defensive end before drilling the ball with her left foot into the lower corner. The goal came in her second game back since returning from maternity leave last week. It was a much-needed win for the Stars, who now sit second-to-last in the NWSL standings. Swanson has brought an obvious boost to Chicago since returning to the pitch, with Stars head coach Martin Sjögren estimating the attacking player is still playing at only 70 percent of her full capacity. She is currently on limited minutes, slowly working her way back to being able to play a full match. Bay FC ended the match with nine players, after red cards were given to defender Aldana Cometti and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Cometti was shown a straight red in the 12th minute for denying a goal-scoring opportunity as the final defender. Silkowitz was shown a straight red for intentionally using her hand outside the box to keep Chicago from scoring in the 62nd minute. The Bay Area club put up a hard fight through the final whistle, nearly scoring an equalizer in the final minute of play. Sjögren acknowledged 'it would have been a totally different game' if Bay had 11 players on the pitch. 'But I'm so happy that we have won this game, because we really needed it.' Chicago now returns home to face the third-place San Diego Wave on May 31. This week's victory could serve as a crucial momentum for the Stars, whose only other two wins have been at home.