Tampa Bay Sun’s Shea Connors continues to burnish reputation; Brooklyn’s defensive pressure delivers boost, result at home
Honors ended even in the biggest game of the weekend in the Gainbridge Super League Fall Season on Sunday evening as Tampa Bay Sun FC and Lexington SC played to a 1-1 draw, while Brooklyn FC picked up its second win of the season and turned the tables on Fort Lauderdale United FC from their prior encounter.
Here are three things we took away from the action.
1. Tampa Bay Sun FC has Found its Finisher in Shea Connors
One of the key elements in Tampa Bay Sun FC coming up short of expectations in the defense of its Super League title during the 2025/26 season was the lack of a consistent scoring presence. The departures of both Cecilie Fløe and Tash Flint left a void that no-one was adequately able to fill.
With the late-season addition of Shea Connors from Sydney FC in the Australian A-League Women, the Sun attempted to address that gap. So far this campaign, it’s paid off handsomely with the veteran forward scoring in her fifth consecutive outing on Sunday evening to help the Sun earn a 1-1 draw against current defending titleholders Lexington SC. Connors’ close-range finish after an initial effort Sydny Nasello was only parried by LSC goalkeeper might end up as the easiest chance she’ll score this season, but Connors’ alertness and willingness to pull the trigger was evident throughout as the hosts looked the more likely side to claim all three points.
Connors is now not only averaging just over four shots per game this season but consistently getting into dangerous positions to finish. That’s seen her average 0.2xG per shot and pose the greatest threat to current Golden Boot leader Baylee DeSmit of Sporting Club Jacksonville for that crown.
2. Lexington SC Gets Dose of Its Own Medicine
Through its ups and down early this season, the one constant for Lexington SC had been its ability to battle and gain possession in midfield. In each of its prior five outings before Sunday’s contest against Tampa Bay Sun FC, the side had won more than 50% of its contested duels, with the trio of Alyssa Bourgeois, Catherine Barry and Addie McCain among those sitting above 50 percent individually.
Against the Sun, that percentage dropped to 43.5% as Tampa Bay’s midfield dominated the contest, and in turn built a territorial advantage that almost saw them win the game. Lexington also ranked as a -13 in recovery differential as the Sun were quicker to second balls, building a 69% field tilt over the game. Being at a deficit in that category has happened previously this season to Lexington, notably in both of its defeats to DC Power FC and Carolina Ascent FC.
There’s still plenty to be enthusiastic about for Lexington, which edged above the playoff line and still has a game in hand on its rivals, putting second place within reach. Getting control of the game, and thus putting its playmakers into positions to thrive, is going to be important moving forward.
3. Carlee Giamonna On the Spot to Boost Brooklyn FC
As a team, Brooklyn FC has been on the front foot defensively throughout its current campaign under new Head Coach Alex Smith. On Friday night, that mindset paid off in a big way as Carlee Giamonna’s pressure delivered the only goal against Fort Lauderdale United FC at Maimonides Park, with the 26-year-old’s first goal for her new club coming as she capitalized on an unfortunate error by FTL UTD goalkeeper Haley Craig.
Brooklyn won possession eight times in the attacking third as it looked to take on Fort Lauderdale back line in possession, but the side now leads the league with 45 possessions won in the attacking third overall in its seven outings this campaign. Giamonna has accounted for seven of those individually, with Ashlyn Miller (8) and Jessica Garziano (7) also finding success.
BKFC still needs more to try and get back into the postseason race, but after its second win of the season there should be some positivity around the club ahead of its next test at home to Dallas Trinity FC on Saturday afternoon.