Every player remembers their first goal, but it’s even more special when a defender is the one getting on the attacking end. Last Saturday, three defenders – all in their second season with their respective clubs – scored their first Gainbridge Super League goal when their team needed it most.
Leah Scarpelli – Brooklyn FC
Leah Scarpelli was a key piece in Brooklyn’s backline last season, where she started all 24 appearances. The outside back recorded 56 interceptions and 82 clearances while winning 43 tackles and 127 duels, helping the team to nine clean sheets.
Scarpelli has moved into a more attacking role this season, shown in the team’s home opener where she recorded her first assist on the goal by Catherine Zimmerman to earn a 2-1 win against reigning champions Tampa Bay Sun FC.
The New Jersey native got on the scoresheet herself last weekend in impressive fashion. Down a goal against expansion side Sporting JAX, Scarpelli curled the ball into the side netting directly from a corner kick in the 66th minute. The Olimpico kickstarted Brooklyn’s comeback and was especially electric for Scarpelli with her family in the stands.
“I haven’t felt that feeling in a long time, and I think it was bound to happen eventually, just with me going up forward a lot more this season,” Scarpelli said. “My whole family was here, my niece was here — so it was just a really special moment.”
🚨 OLIMPICO ALERT 🚨@_BrooklynFCw captain @leahnardo10 scores her first Gainbridge Super League goal in 𝙪𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 fashion to level the match! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8whtizco5M
— Gainbridge Super League (@GainbridgeSL) October 4, 2025
Sam Rosette – Brooklyn FC
While Scarpelli was streaking down the left flank last season, her teammate Sam Rosette was on the right. The Bronx native logged over 700 minutes on Brooklyn’s backline in its inaugural campaign, and she has entered off the bench in three matches this season.
Rosette entered in the 76th minute on Saturday against Jacksonville right after the visitors had retaken the lead. Just ten minutes later, Rosette helped bring the momentum back onto Brooklyn’s side. The defender received the ball from a thrown-in, and after noticing the goalkeeper’s positioning, she chipped it over her into the back of the net to equalize again.
“I saw the ball being cleared, and I knew [the goalkeeper] was off her line,” Rosette said post-match. “[Rebecca Cooke] was smart to throw it to me quickly — so it was credit to her.
“I think we could have done a lot better punching back in the first half, if you’re talking about a boxing match,” she added. “I think in the second half we did that — we didn’t just absorb their pressure; we put their pressure back on them.”
𝙎𝙐𝙋𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙐𝘽 🦸♀️@_BrooklynFCw's Samantha Rosette chips in the equalizer just over TEN MINUTES after entering the match! 👏 pic.twitter.com/M9TINHE33A
— Gainbridge Super League (@GainbridgeSL) October 4, 2025
Madison Murnin – DC Power FC
The one center back of the bunch to get on the scoresheet was DC Power FC’s Madison Murnin. The University of Central Florida defender started 15 of 16 matches for DC last season, making 69 clearances, 27 interceptions and 61 duels won.
Murnin has appeared in every match for DC this season, all off the bench. She entered as halftime sub on Saturday, looking to help her team get back into the match after falling behind 2-1 at the end of the first half.
Just four minutes into the second half, the visitors earned a corner. Midfielder Emily Colton served the ball towards the penalty spot, where Murnin redirected the ball and headed it into the back of the net for the equalizer.
“It was a great opportunity, and I just want to contribute to this team and do everything I can to help us win,” Murnin said. “It was a great feeling to come on and be a game changer and get that equalizer for the team.”