George scores only goal, Martinez posts seven-save shutout as No. 3 seed Carolina advances to Final
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mackenzie George scored an early goal while Sydney Martínez posted a seven-save shutout as No. 3 seed Carolina Ascent FC took a 1-0 victory against No. 2 seed Sporting Club Jacksonville in the Semifinals of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs on Sunday evening at Hodges Stadium.
Carolina Ascent will face No. 1 seed Lexington SC in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Final next Saturday night at Lexington SC Stadium.
Ascent made a positive start and was rewarded with the opening goal in just the sixth minute as George combined with Riley Parker on the right before darting into the penalty area to put home Parker’s cross to the top of the six-yard area. The visitors almost doubled their lead when Jenna Butler’s header off a corner from the left hit the crossbar and was parried away to safety by Sporting JAX goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks, but Carolina held its lead until the halftime break.
Jacksonville had some half-chances in the opening half but provided the first real test for Martínez soon after the break when Baylee DeSmit broke into the right channel and fired a shot low to the far corner that was turned away. DeSmit then sent a finish high from close range off a cross from the left by Grace Philpotts moments later, but then Carolina began to regain a foothold in the game as Shea Groom had a shot blocked during a good spell of possession.
The hosts began to press further as the game entered the final stages, however, and Georgia Brown was denied well on a header to the right corner by a diving save from Martínez with 15 minutes to play. Ascent had a late opportunity to put the game away as Audrey Coleman had a shot saved by Parks, but after a late header by Sophie Jones slid wide of the left post for the hosts, Carolina saw out the result to advance.
Takeaways
Sporting Club Jacksonville – Having been frontrunners for much of the season, Sporting JAX’s debut campaign ended in disappointment as the top-scoring attack in the league was unable to break down a resolute Carolina back line. The hosts recorded 17 shots, 13 of which came inside the penalty area, but when they were unable to take advantage of a bright start to the second half, clear-cut chances proved hard to come by, resulting in elimination.
Carolina Ascent FC – The visitors continued the surge that made them the form team coming into the postseason with the fast start that produced the only goal of the game by Mackenzie George just six minutes into the game proving key. From there, Ascent’s back line took over with Sydney Martínez delivering a seven-save shutout and her back line blocking four shots on the way to a trip to the Final.
Key Moment
Carolina Ascent goalkeeper Sydney Martínez went at full stretch to keep out a good flicked header by Jacksonville’s Georgia Brown with 15 minutes to go, keeping the visitors on course for victory.
Key Stat
Carolina Ascent’s 12-game undefeated streak and seven-game winning streak are both the longest in their club’s history.
GainbridgeSuperLeague.com Player of the Game
Sydney Martínez, Carolina Ascent FC – The Puerto Rico international continued to deliver for her side with her eighth shutout since becoming starter midway through the spring schedule, notching seven saves to keep Jacksonville off the board.
Scoring Summary
CAR – Mackenzie George (Riley Parker) 6’