19-year-old adds second individual accolade after outstanding campaign that saw her record 19 goal contributions in regular season
TAMPA, Fla. – The Gainbridge Super League announced today that Sporting Club Jacksonville’s Ashlyn Puerta had been voted the 2025/26 Player of the Year. The award adds to Puerta’s individual haul after a remarkable first professional campaign that previously saw her voted the Super League’s Young Player of the Year.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said Puerta. “I feel very blessed that I get to do what I love for a living at my age, and I am thankful for the Gainbridge Super League for giving young players more opportunities to compete professionally in the U.S..”
A native of San Diego, Calif., Puerta entered the professional ranks after her freshman season at Florida State University as one of the first two signings in Sporting JAX’s history last May. The 19-year-old quickly made an impact, scoring six goals in her first five professional appearances including a first hat trick against Carolina Ascent FC on Sept. 27, 2025.
Puerta completed the regular season with 12 goals and seven assists, recording a four-game scoring streak across October and November before recording five assists in the spring schedule. Puerta’s 19 goal contributions placed her second in the league in that category while tying for first in assists and tying for second in goals as part of the highest-scoring attack in the league.
Jacksonville’s 54 goals set a Super League single-season record as Puerta, Baylee DeSmit and Paige Kenton became the first trio of teammates to each record double-digit goals in the campaign. Puerta was also a strong contributor on the defensive side of the ball, recording 27 tackles at a 65.9% success rate – third-most in the league among players with at least five goals – and 119 recoveries as Jacksonville set a single-season record with 16 wins in 28 outings.
A member of the United States U-20 National Team that qualified for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup this September in Poland, Puerta also earned her first selection to the United States Women’s National Team Development Camp this past January, highlighting her progression as one of the top young talents in the country.
Puerta earned the Player of the Year award with 56 percent of the ballot, voted on by club management following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season. Lexington SC’s Catherine Barry finished second with 33 percent of the ballot, while four players overall received votes.