Two weeks ago, Spokane’s Hope Hisey became the first goalkeeper to reach 10 regular season clean sheets in the Gainbridge Super League’s history, following Dallas’ Allie Thornton becoming the first to reach double-digit goals last season. That leaves just one major milestone left with assists, and two players are closing in on that feat.
Entering this weekend, Lexington SC’s Emina Ekić and Dallas Trinity FC’s Chioma Ubogagu sit at the top of the pack with eight assists each, after surpassing the reigning Golden Playmaker Jill Aguilera at Carolina Ascent FC with seven. So, who will reach 10 first? The numbers are almost too close to call.
For starters, Ekić has played 62 more minutes than Ubogagu. That might be surprising considering she missed time on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Ubogagu dealt with a minor leg injury last season that sidelined her for a few matches to balance the difference. But the way the two are being employed so far this season could be a differentiator – Ubogagu has subbed off in all four appearances and is averaging about 68 minutes per game, while Ekić is playing the full 90. In terms of time on the field, Ekić will have more opportunity to record assists.
The two players also have eerily similar stats when it comes to playmaking. Ekić has created 57 chances to Ubogagu’s 56, Ubogagu has 31% cross/corner accuracy to Ekić’s 29%, and they’ve both sent 32 successful corners into the box. However, the slight edge goes to the English international when it comes to efficiency and quality of chance creation. Ubogagu has eight more successful crosses, and while they have the same number of successful corners into the box, Ubogagu has a league-high 6.75 Expected Assists across the two seasons, compared to Ekić’s 6.1xA mark, all while playing less minutes.
Even with that, there’s another reason why Ubogagu is most likely to reach 10 assists before Ekić, and it’s not because of any of those previously mentioned stats.
Ubogagu is playing alongside the Golden Boot winner and arguably the best striker in the league with Allie Thornton. We saw last weekend how easily they played off each other; Ubogagu barely had to look up to see where Thornton would be to play her the perfect ball at the penalty spot for her to finish against Tampa Bay. Ubogagu didn’t even think about shooting, and why should she, if she can just pass to someone with a 31% shot conversion rate and 60% shooting accuracy?
Ekić feeds her teammates as well, but she’s more willing to cut inside and take it herself. With the new personnel Lexington has brought in like Addie McCain, Sarah Griffith and Tati Fung, Ekić can continue her runs into the box and make give-and-go passes through the final third to set herself up for a shot. Her 10 goals to Ubogagu’s five show she’s looking to score just as often, if not more than she looks to pass. Her league-leading 18 goal contributions and 2024/25 Player of the Year award show there’s nothing wrong with that, but it leaves the door open for Ubogagu hit double digits first.