Midseason arrival made significant impact in playoff push before brace in home state against Ascent sent the underdogs into the Final
Heading into last Sunday’s USL Super League Playoffs Semifinal between No. 1-seed Carolina Ascent FC and No. 4-seed Fort Lauderdale United FC, the visitors had a chip on their shoulders. According to a poll posted by the league, only five percent of Super League fans voted that Fort Lauderdale would win the inaugural title.
The results lit a fire under the Florida-based team, especially striker Kiara Locklear. After the Ascent took a 1-0 lead early in the second half, Locklear found the equalizer in the 68th minute following a quick restart from a throw in. The match went into extra time, and in the 120th minute, she netted the game-winner to send the team to the Final against No. 2-seed Tampa Bay Sun FC.
“I’m just so excited to have another week with this team,” Locklear said post-match. “It’s a team effort, and I’m proud of all my teammates just battling, literally until the last minute. Everyone doubted us this whole playoff run. I mean, five percent, are you kidding me? We’re taking it, and we’re taking it home to Fort Lauderdale.”
The celebration was even sweeter for the Mooresville, N.C., native, who helped her side earn the win at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte just 30 minutes down the road from her hometown. Locklear’s family was in the stands as her own personal supporter’s section and was able to see her iconic backflip celebration in person.
“Scoring the goal at the end felt like a weight was instantly lifted off our shoulders — we didn’t have to face the unpredictability of penalty kicks,” she said. “Having my family there to support, encourage and celebrate with me made it even more special.”
Locklear made a new home for herself in South Florida last year, joining the team in December following the conclusion of her collegiate career. The striker was one of the most accomplished players at Lipscomb University, where she led the Bison to their fourth conference title. She was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year in her senior season after leading the conference with 19 goals and 4 assists—the highest single-season point total in program history. Prior to Lipscomb, Locklear played as a defender for two seasons at UNC Charlotte.
After her arrival to Fort Lauderdale, Locklear played a key role in the team reaching the playoffs. She recorded five goals and four assists in 16 appearances during the regular season, including scoring the crucial game-winner against Dallas Trinity on May 24 to put FTL UTD in position to clinch on the final day of the season.
“This team means everything to me,” Locklear said. “I was just so lucky to have joined halfway through the season, and they took me in with open arms and just allowed me to feel like a part of something really special. This half of the season has had its ups and downs, but we did it together. We’re on the rise now and looking forward to a championship.”
Fort Lauderdale now prepares to face its inter-state rival and the one team it has yet to beat all season. Tampa Bay has the one victory in the series, winning 2-0 when the teams last met on April 5 after three-straight draws. Both teams are in top form and riding five-match unbeaten streaks, but getting the hard-fought win on Sunday and being underestimated by fans has Fort Lauderdale feeling like true underdogs.
“This group earned the right to play for a title,” said Head Coach Tyrone Mears. “That’s been the goal since day one. We’ve stayed focused, handled every challenge, and we proved we are ready to fight to bring home the championship.”