Week 6 of the Gainbridge Super League was one for the record books. A new team took over the No. 1 spot in the standings, we got a historic first hat trick of the season, and a record-tying six-goal performance was put on the board, all in three separate matches.
Here are the three things we took away from last week.
1. Spokane’s defense is its key to success
In its most recent outing, Spokane dug in impressively to hold Lexington scoreless, earning a valuable point on the road. That performance was made all the more impressive this past weekend, when Lexington dropped six goals against former league-leader Dallas Trinity FC. For Zephyr to follow that up with another clean sheet against Carolina, which hadn’t been shut out since May, is further proof of how its defensive unit has become a tough one to break down.
We already knew about Hope Hisey. There’s a reason she’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, and she’s off to another great start, leading the league with 22 saves and three clean sheets. What’s new is the addition of Reese Tappan – who logged only 244 minutes last season – as part of the club’s center back partnership with 2024/25 All-League selection Sarah McCoy. That duo combined for 15 clearances against the Ascent on Wednesday, extending their leads as No. 1 and 2 in the league in that category. The three of them communicate and move together so fluidly to shut down danger as opponents attempt to enter the penalty area.
It forced Carolina out wide all night long, where outside backs Kelsey Oyler and Haley Thomas were waiting for them with typically strong defensive performances. Where Oyler and Thomas have also been key has been serving as the trigger for Spokane’s attack. When this defensive unit is combined with strikers like Lena Silano, Tori Zierenberg and Ally Cook, it’s no surprise Spokane has started to find its stride.
2. Carolina needs to find consistency between both halves
Two weeks ago, we pointed out one positive for Carolina had been its ability to climb out of holes after falling into first-half deficits, but it was always going to be a flaw that needed to be addressed. As we saw in both of its Week 6 matches, the team either didn’t put away chances, or only did once it was too late.
When Madison Mercado’s first-half penalty kick rang the left post, it proved a key moment in the game. Spokane struck 15 minutes later, and Ascent was unable to recover as it fell to a 1-0 win on Wednesday night. The fight was a little more promising on Sunday in the side’s 4-3 loss to Sporting JAX, especially the brace from Mackenzie George off the bench. However, when you concede three goals in the opening 30 minutes and then a fourth immediately after you just got yourself back into the match, the second-half comeback is asking for a lot.
“Another home result that doesn’t hit the standard of our club,” said Head Coach Philip Poole. “All in all, it’s another game of two halves. We weren’t good enough in the first half, but good enough to win in the second half, despite the deficit of the first half.”
Carolina has conceded the opening goal in each of its past three outings and has only found the net once in the opening half-hour in its first five games. It needs to start getting out to better starts to turn around a slow start.
3. Everything is clicking for Lexington
Any time a team scores six goals in a single match, it calls into question is the team actually that good or was the opponent just that much worse? In this case, Lexington is really that good.
Every single one of the goals was assisted – somehow, Emina Ekic’s pursuit of 10 career assists did not benefit from this – showing the team can connect passes up the field or find each other on set pieces. Starters and substitutes got into the action, and it was a strong rebound after its last two scoreless draws.
“I thought I owed it to the team after the last couple of games,” Cat Barry said after her two-goal display. “I had a few close chances, and obviously drawing in those games wasn’t a great feeling. So, I really wanted to come out tonight and help my team secure three points. To achieve those goals early on, to help take some of the pressure off us, was huge.”
Everyone was watching Lexington closely after the overhaul of its roster this summer. With an undefeated start through five games, it’s moving in a great direction.