Carolina Ascent Strengthens Hold on No. 1 as Fort Lauderdale Makes a Statement in Week 9 Power Rankings 

Carolina Ascent FC strengthened its grip on the top spot with a 3-0 win over Tampa Bay, while Fort Lauderdale United FC snapped its five-game losing streak with a statement victory over Lexington SC. Meanwhile, DC Power FC, Sporting JAX and Dallas Trinity FC are tied at 11 points in the standings, making every point from here on out even more important as the race tightens.

Here’s how the eight teams stack up in the Week 9 Power Rankings:

Rank		Team	Change	Summary
1		Carolina Ascent FC (6-1-1) Week 10: vs. DC	Last Week: 1	Carolina extended its lead at the top to eight points with a 3-0 road win over Tampa Bay, getting goals from Jill Aguilera, Rylee Baisden and Riley Parker. The Ascent continue to make their mark on set pieces, with Aguilera opening the scoring after a free kick, while Sydney Martínez recorded her fifth shutout in just eight appearances.
2		DC Power FC (3-2-2) Week 10: @ CAR	Last Week: 2	DC Power’s match against Sporting JAX was postponed due to inclement weather in Jacksonville, leaving both clubs level on 11 points alongside Dallas Trinity. The Power will now turn its attention to a road test against league-leading Carolina, with new loanee Tati Fung adding another midfield option as DC looks to close the eight-point gap at the top.
3		Dallas Trinity FC (3-3-2) Week 10: ---	2 Last Week: 5	Dallas salvaged a point on the road against Brooklyn thanks to Seven Castain’s late equalizer in a 1-1 draw. Jasmine Hamid had a chance to put Trinity ahead from the penalty spot, but her attempt struck the post, leaving Dallas tied with DC and Jacksonville on 11 points after missing an opportunity to move up the table.
4		Lexington SC (3-3-1) Week 10: vs. TB	1 Last Week: 3	Lexington controlled much of the match in Fort Lauderdale, outshooting the hosts 23-8, but could not turn that pressure into a result in a 2-1 defeat. Hannah White scored her second goal of the season late to spark a comeback attempt, but the loss snapped Lexington’s three-match unbeaten run and marked their third defeat of the fall campaign.
5		Sporting JAX (3-2-2) Week 10: vs. FTL	1 Last Week: 6	Sporting JAX will have to wait to get back on the field after its matchup with DC Power was postponed, but Baylee DeSmit remains one of the league’s most dangerous attacking threats. The Golden Boot leader has continued to produce, and Jacksonville will look to turn that scoring form into a win as they try to break a four-game winless run at home to Fort Lauderdale.
6		Fort Lauderdale United FC (2-6-0) Week 10: vs. JAX	2 Last Week: 8	Fort Lauderdale delivered one of its biggest results of the season, ending a five-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over defending champion Lexington. Sh’nia Gordon scored twice, including a solo effort just five minutes into the second half, while Haley Craig made six saves to help secure the win in interim head coach Paul Jennison’s first match in charge this season.
7		Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-2-3) Week 10: @ LEX	3 Last Week: 4	Tampa Bay’s four-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Carolina at home. The Sun struggled to break through against the league leaders, recording only seven touches inside the penalty area, their lowest total in a game this season. Going to Lexington this week is going to offer a test, but also a chance to rebound and get back into the playoff mix.
8		Brooklyn FC (2-5-1) Week 10: ---	1 Last Week: 7	Brooklyn earned a valuable point against Dallas, taking the lead through Tziarra King’s second goal of the season before conceding Seven Castain’s late equalizer. Goalkeeper Nikki Pasquarella made her first professional start with Bre Norris away on international duty with Mexico’s U-23 team, helping Brooklyn hold on for a 1-1 draw against Dallas.