19-year-old recorded 12 goals, seven assists in first professional campaign to lead historic inaugural season in Jacksonville
TAMPA, Fla. – The Gainbridge Super League announced today that Sporting Club Jacksonville’s Ashlyn Puerta had been voted the 2025/26 Young Player of the Year after a remarkable first professional campaign that helped power an outstanding inaugural season for Sporting JAX.
One of the first two signings in Sporting JAX’s history last May, Puerta entered the professional ranks after her freshman season at Florida State University and quickly made an impact. The 19-year-old recorded a two-goal outing in her second professional appearance, leading Jacksonville to a 3-2 victory against defending titleholders Tampa Bay Sun FC, and that began a historic campaign that saw Jacksonville set multiple single-season records.
Individually, Puerta ended the campaign with 12 goals and seven assists, ranking tied for first in the league in assists, tied for second in the league in goals and ranking second with 19 goal contributions. She recorded the first hat trick of her professional career on Sept. 27, 2025 against Carolina Ascent FC, but the attacking threat Puerta posed was only one facet to her game.
Additionally, the San Diego, Calif. native won 27 tackles at a 65.9% success rate – third-most in the league among players with at least five goals – and recorded 119 recoveries, helping put in the work on the defensive side of the ball that helped drive Jacksonville’s immediate success.
Her impact for Jacksonville earned national team recognition, earning a call-up to the United States Women’s National Team Development Camp in January. Puerta also maintained her position in the youth national team set-up as preparations continue for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup this September.
Puerta earned the Young Player of the Year award with 83 percent of the ballot, voted on by club management following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season. Dallas Trinity FC’s Sealey Strawn finished second with 17 percent of the ballot.