Heading on the road to face Dallas Trinity FC on a seven-game undefeated streak, the playoffs were in sight for Carolina Ascent FC.
For much of the contest at the Cotton Bowl, though, the visitors were on the back foot as Trinity hammered away looking for a breakthrough, only for Ascent goalkeeper Sydney Martinez and her back line to keep them at bay.
Then, with 10 minutes to go, Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole pulled out the last two cards from his deck off the substitutes bench.
One of them, Rylee Baisden, proved to be an ace.
With a minute to play, an attack built on the right side for Ascent with Riley Parker sending Addisyn Merrick up the flank on the overlap. Sensing the opportunity, Baisden darted toward the near post, timing her run perfectly to head home Merrick’s cross under pressure from her marker.
The goal proved decisive, earning Carolina a 1-0 victory and booking the club’s place in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs.
“I’m just happy I could come off the bench and make a difference,” said Baisden. “To be able to win with this team on the road, come home with three points, and get into playoffs means everything.”
For her performance, Baisden has been selected as April’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month, a series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game this season.
Having competed in both the National Women’s Soccer League and Australia’s A-League Women over the course of her career, Baisden has been a fixture for Carolina since the Super League’s launch. Her goal against Dallas was her sixth in 44 appearances for the club, but her first coming off the bench in 15 substitute outings.
Delivering her third game-winner for Ascent, the 32-year-old came through just when her sided needed it most.
“This is a very difficult place to come and to get three points, so I’m really proud of the group,” said Poole following the game. “We didn’t take the lead early and we heaped some pressure on ourselves, but to show a level of resilience, to stay in it, and get the job done was really satisfying for the group.”
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