Overview
- Natasha Kowalski struck in the 58th minute after Bayer keeper Anne Moll had denied her at 55 minutes, with Moll getting fingertips to the winner.
- Leverkusen mounted late pressure but could not convert, as chances for Kassandra Potsi, Valentina Mädl and Loreen Bender went begging.
- Kim Sindermann preserved the clean sheet for Essen with key interventions during a sustained defensive stand in the closing stages.
- Essen climbed to five points to move off last place, leaving Carl Zeiss Jena bottom on three, while Leverkusen slipped to sixth.
- Essen overcame setbacks including the late absence of captain Jacqueline Meißner and the first-half withdrawal of defender Paula Flach after a facial blow.