TAMPA, Fla. – The Gainbridge Super League today announced the Team of the Month for August, with Sporting Jacksonville’s Baylee DeSmit named Player of the Month after powering her team to a 3-0 start and leading the league with four goals in three matches.
Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month – August, 2026
GK: Jamie Gerstenberg, Sporting JAX – The German shot-stopper recorded eight saves and a league-high two clean sheets in August to help Jacksonville make a perfect start to the new campaign.
D: Gracie Falla, Lexington SC – The newcomer to the reigning champions’ backline won 11 duels at a success rate of 73.3% while notching a 90.3% passing accuracy and recording nine recoveries, seven clearances and winning 2 of 2 tackles.
D: Reese Tappan, Carolina Ascent FC – One of the two newcomers to the Ascent made an instant impact in August, scoring a great header against Tampa Bay Sun and recording nine recoveries, 10 clearances and five tackles won at an 83.3% success rate.
D: Addisyn Merrick, Carolina Ascent FC – The 28-year-old recorded one assist and four chances created in August and went 4 of 4 on tackles, while recording 18 recoveries, five interceptions and six clearances defensively.
D: Justina Gaynor, DC Power FC – Gaynor delivered a strong start to the season in the backline with her side only allowing three goals against in its first three matches as she recorded six interceptions and won 7 of 8 tackles while also winning 17 duels at a 58.6% success rate.
M: Sydny Nasello, Tampa Bay Sun FC – The two-time All-League selection scored the Sun’s game-winning goal against Carolina Ascent and added an assist and four chances created overall while ranking fifth in the league with 27 recoveries.
M: Sophia Boman, Sporting JAX – The 24-year-old has played a big role in creating chances for the 3-0-0 Sporting JX, scoring one goal and recording a team-high six chances created. Boman has also recorded 20 recoveries and tied for fourth in the league winning possession four times in the attacking third.
M: Kelsey Oyler, Fort Lauderdale United FC – The former Spokane player has started positively in central midfield for her new side, winning 14 duels at a 66.7% success rate and 7 of 10 tackles while also making eight recoveries and four interceptions in two appearances.
F: Baylee DeSmit, Sporting JAX – The W League alum has scored four goals in three matches for Sporting JAX, averaging a goal every 62.3 minutes in Jacksonville’s three victories in the month, while also recording league-highs with 16 shots and seven shots on target.
F: Loza Abera, DC Power FC – The Ethiopian international led DC Power to a strong start, recording three goals in three appearances as the side won away at Brooklyn FC and Lexington SC, and notched a league-high nine chances created in addition to eight shots.
F: Shea Connors, Tampa Bay Sun FC – The former Sydney FC standout recorded two goals for the Sun in their opening three matches, including a converted penalty kick to open the scoring against Carolina, while tying for third in the league with 10 shots.
Coach: Stacey Balaam, Sporting JAX – Balaam led her side to a perfect 3-0-0 start to the Fall Season, outscoring opponents six to two, and helped guide Jacksonville to its first comeback victory in club history on August 22 against Tampa Bay Sun FC.
Bench: Sydney Martinez (CAR), Hannah White (LEX), Sofia Cedeño (DAL), Emma Jaskaniec (DC), Ashlyn Puerta (JAX), Taylor Chism (TB), Alyssa Bourgeois (LEX)