Late winner in comeback victory against Tampa Bay Sun FC pushed LSC above playoff line in potentially pivotal game for club’s campaign
As Sarah Griffith entered Lexington SC’s contest against Tampa Bay Sun FC, the defending Gainbridge Super League titleholders were staring down an uphill climb.
Trailing the Sun by a goal, Lexington was looking at the potential of a fourth loss in eight games to open the regular season – one more than the side had suffered throughout its run to the 2025/26 Players’ Shield – which would add to the pressure the side was under to make its postseason return.
By the end of the night, though, Griffith had delivered the decisive blow in a 2-1 victory that flipped Lexington’s season around and lifted the side above the playoff line as it entered the second half of the Fall Season.
Griffith was tidy following her introduction in the 71st minute as Lexington pulled level through Catherine Barry less than two minutes after her introduction. Then, with five minutes to go, she was in the right place to control an attempted clearance by the Sun at the top of the penalty area, and after feinting to her left to create space, her right-footed shot curled into the right corner to send Lexington to victory.
For her performance, Griffith has been selected as October’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month in the Gainbridge Super League, a series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game this season.
Having taken one point from their prior two outings – including a surprise setback the prior week against Fort Lauderdale United – the comeback was a welcome boost for Griffith and her teammates.
“I think our last few games didn’t go how we wanted, and we knew we had to keep pushing,” said Griffith. “We had to keep pounding the rock and working things out. That’s what we did tonight, and eventually it’ll come through. We tried to put as much pressure on them as we could and it ended up going our way.”
Lexington has recorded four goals by substitute this season to date, second-most in the league behind fellow playoff contender DC Power FC.
As the push to the playoffs builds over the coming month, having players who can change a game off the bench could be key to the side’s chances of a second consecutive crown.
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