Sporting JAX looks to earn trip to Final in inaugural season, Ascent aiming to maintain late-season momentum
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – No. 2 seed Sporting Club Jacksonville and No. 3 seed Carolina Ascent FC will meet for a second consecutive weekend in the Semifinals of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs on Sunday evening at Hodges Stadium with Sporting JAX bidding to reach the Final in its inaugural season and Ascent looking to go one step further than a year ago as it enters its second consecutive postseason on a strong run of late-season form. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Peacock. Here’s what you need to know.
How They Got Here
Sporting Club Jacksonville (16-7-5, 53pts) – Sporting Club Jacksonville produced a sparkling inaugural season in the Gainbridge Super League, setting numerous single-season records including the most victories in a campaign, but the side was pipped to the post in the Players’ Shield race on the final day of the season after falling 3-1 against Ascent at Carolina’s American Legion Memorial Stadium. Jacksonville boasts the highest-scoring attack in the league with Ashlyn Puerta (12G, 7A), Baylee DeSmit (12G, 2A) and Paige Kenton (10G, 7A) the first three teammates to record double-digit goals in the same regular season campaign. Now the hosts will try to turn the tables on Carolina after last week’s defeat and earn the chance to claim the first silverware in club history.
Carolina Ascent FC (15-7-6, 31pts) – Carolina Ascent FC earned its second consecutive trip to the Gainbridge Super League Playoffs with a formidable second half of the season that saw the side equal its club records for longest winning streak and longest undefeated streak to close the regular season. Ascent’s 3-1 win against Jacksonville on the final day of the regular season extended its winning streak to six games and its undefeated streak to 11 games, with Carolina last having suffered defeat on February 14 against Spokane Zephyr FC. The side’s streak has seen both Mia Corbin and Jill Aguilera record three goals and three assists apiece, but Ascent’s defensive solidity has been its foundation for success with goalkeeper Sydney Martinez recording 36 saves, seven shutouts and a save percentage of 90% while posting a -6.1 Goals Prevented mark over the 11-game run.
All-Time Series
Sporting Club Jacksonville took a 2-1-1 edge in the series against Carolina Ascent FC this season, including going 1-0-1 at home at Hodges Stadium.
Opta Says
31 – Sporting Club Jacksonville recorded 31 goals in the first half of games this season, the most in the league, and lost only twice after holding a lead in a game in its inaugural season.
4 – Carolina Ascent FC allowed only four goals from set pieces in the regular season, the fewest in the league, as opponents recorded only two goals from corner kicks, one from free kicks and one penalty kick.
Players to Watch
Sporting Club Jacksonville – Paige Kenton: The attacking standout ranked third in the league with 17 goal contributions, notching 10 goals and seven assists in the regular season, but was held without a goal or assist in Jacksonville’s final five games of the campaign, Kenton’s longest stretch without a goal contribution in the regular season.
Carolina Ascent FC – Tyler Lussi: The midseason addition recorded four goals in Carolina’s 11-game undefeated streak to close the regular season, including three game-winning goals, helping lift an Ascent attack that ranked third in the league with a 48.81 Expected Goals mark but recorded only 39 tallies in the regular season.
Uniforms
Discipline Report
Sporting Club Jacksonville – No suspensions
Carolina Ascent FC – No suspensions
Officials
REF: Matt Thompson
AR1: Melissa Beck
AR2: Zach McWhorter
4TH: Alyssa Pennington