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Carolina at Lexington kicks off full weekend of matches | Week 8 Match Previews

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Lexington SC vs. Carolina Ascent FC 

Venue: Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY 

Kickoff: Friday, October 10, 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly cloudy, 67°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Lexington (2-0-4) is coming off a scoreless draw against Spokane, while Carolina (1-2-3) just earned its first win of the season in a 3-2 victory over DC Power. 
  • Carolina has never lost to Lexington, having gone 2-0-2 after last season. Carolina won 4-0 the last time the teams met on March 23 behind goals from Riley Parker, Mia Corbin and Audrey Harding. 
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) scored in three of the four meetings against Lexington. 
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. It led the league last season in clean sheets (12). 
  • Lexington is one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the league. It has also been shutout in three of its last four matches. 
  • Allison Pantuso (LEX) will face her former Brooklyn FC teammates Mackenzie George, Luana Grabias, and Sydney Martinez (CAR). 
  • Sarah Griffith (LEX) will compete against her former Chicago Stars teammate Jill Aguilera (CAR). 
  • Kat Asman (LEX) will compete against her former Orlando Pride teammate Brianna Martinez (CAR).  

Players to Watch

LEX– Hannah Sharts: Sharts has been a key piece of Lexington’s stout defensive unit in her first season with the team, playing every minute to record 27 clearances and four clean sheets. 

CAR– Audrey Harding: Returned for her second season with Carolina, the forward is tied for second in the league and leads her side in assists, recently tallying an assist in Carolina’s first win of the season last weekend.  

 Lexington SC Carolina Ascent FC 
Head Coach Masaki Hemmi Phillip Poole 
Record 2-0-4 1-2-3 
Standings 2nd 7th 

Brooklyn FC vs. Tampa Bay FC 

Venue: Maimonides Park; Brooklyn, NY 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 11, 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy, 56°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Brooklyn (1-3-3) is coming off a 3-3 draw against Sporting JAX. Tampa Bay Sun (0-3-3) most recently played Fort Lauderdale to a scoreless draw. 
  • Brooklyn has never lost to Tampa Bay and holds a 3-0-2 all-time record against the Sun. Brooklyn won 2-1 against Tampa Bay in its home opener earlier this season, with Catherine Zimmerman and Annie Williams scoring in the second half. 
  • Brooklyn is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Tampa Bay is still searching for its first win of the season. 

Players to Watch

BKN– Leah Scarpelli: The defender showcased her set-piece magic and scored her first-ever Brooklyn goal directly from a corner kick to help the team earn a point in a 3-3 draw with Sporting JAX.  

TB– Brooke Hendrix: The Southern Mississippi alum leads Tampa’s defense, starting every match for the Sun so far and tallying 27 clearances, five of which came in last weekend’s clean sheet against Fort Lauderdale. 

 Brooklyn FC Tampa Bay Sun FC 
Head Coach Tomás Tengarrinha Denise Schilte Brown 
Record 1-3-3 0-3-3 
Standings 8th 9th 

Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium; Spokane, WA 

Kickoff: Sunday, October 12, 7:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy, 45°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Spokane (2-2-4) enters the weekend following a scoreless draw against Lexington. Dallas (3-2-1) returns to action after having Week 7 off. 
  • Both teams hold a 2-2-1 all-time record against each other. Dallas won 2-1 when the teams met earlier this season at the Cotton Bowl behind goals from Allie Thornton and Wayny Balata. 
  • Hope Hisey (SPK) is three saves away from reaching 100 career saves. She is also one match away from tying the record for most consecutive matches with a clean sheet (5). 
  • Dallas Head Coach Chris Petrucelli and defender Samar Guidry will be unavailable for Sunday’s match due to both receiving red cards in Dallas’ last match against Lexington SC.  
  • Sunday’s match will be Spokane Zephyr’s first with newly appointed Head Coach Nicole Lukic at the helm. 

Players to Watch

SPK – Aryssa Mahrt: The former University of Wisconsin Badger has played a central role in Spokane’s attack from the midfield, creating six chances and making four interceptions across her 436 minutes so far this season.  

DAL– Cyera Hintzen: Hintzen has been critical in both attacking and defensive positions for the Trinity this season, ranked third in the league in chances created (10) while leading Dallas in interceptions (11).  

 Spokane Zephyr FC Dallas Trinity FC 
Head Coach Nicole Lukic  Chris Petrucelli (serving suspension)
Record 2-2-4 3-2-1 
Standings 3rd 4th 

Which teams snapped their streaks? | News & Notes Week 8

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WEEK 8 SCHEDULE

Friday, October 10
Lexington SC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 6:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, October 11
Brooklyn FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 6:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, October 12
Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC, 7:00 p.m. ET

REWIND: WEEK 7

GOAL + ASSIST
Brooklyn’s Rebecca Cooke and Sporting JAX’s Sophia Boman both recorded a goal and an assist in the thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday. They join Paige Kenton (JAX) and Allison Pantuso (LEX) as the only players this season to record both a goal and an assist in a single match.

SNAPPED STREAKS
Carolina’s 3-2 victory on Saturday was its first win of the season, ending DC Power’s four-match undefeated streak.

ANOTHER DERBY DRAW
Tampa Bay Sun FC and Fort Lauderdale United FC ended in a scoreless draw on Saturday, marking the fourth of six meetings where the two sides split points. FTL UTD remains winless against the reigning champs. The draw also ended Fort Lauderdale’s run of 13 consecutive regular season matches with at least one goal.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Spokane Zephyr FC and Lexington SC recorded their second consecutive scoreless draw against each other this season. Goalkeepers Hope Hisey (SPK) and Kat Asman (LEX) continue to lead the league with four clean sheets each.

GOLDEN AWARDS CURRENT LEADERS

GOALS:

1. Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) – 6
T-2. Catherine Barry (LEX) – 4
T-2. Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4
T-2. Maddie Mercado (CAR) – 4

ASSISTS:

1. Meg Hughes (JAX) – 3
T-2. 11 players – 2

GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE:

1. Kat Asman (LEX) – 0.67
2. Hope Hisey (SPK) – 0.75
3. Bella Hara (FTL) – 1.16
4. Bre Norris (BKN) – 1.25
5. Sydney Schneider (TB) – 1.5

WEEK 8 STORYLINES

CLEAN SHEET STREAK
Following her shutout on Saturday, Spokane’s Hope Hisey tied her record with four consecutive clean sheets. Another one this Sunday against Dallas would tie the league record for most consecutive clean sheets by a goalkeeper, set last season by Carolina’s Samantha Leshnak Murphy.

REIGNING CHAMPS IN TROUBLE
Tampa Bay is the lone club without a win this season. The six-match winless streak to start the season is the longest the team has gone without a win.

SPOKANE’S SKIPPER
Spokane Zephyr FC announced Nicole Lukic as the team’s new Head Coach. Lukic joins Spokane from U.S. Soccer, where she served as Director of Talent Identification for the Youth National Teams, and she was the 2022 USL W League Coach of the Year with Minnesota Aurora FC.

UPCOMING MILESTONES & ACTIVE STREAKS

Upcoming Milestones
Approaching 15 all-time regular season goals
Mia Corbin (CAR) – 13
Addie McCain (LEX) – 13
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 11

Approaching 10 all-time regular season assists
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 8
Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 8
Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7
Audrey Harding (CAR) – 7  

Approaching 15 all-time regular season shutouts
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 13

Approaching 100 regular season saves
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 97

Active Streaks
Consecutive regular season minutes played across seasons
Sarah McCoy (SPK) – 3240
Amber Wisner (DAL) – 3060
Allison Pantuso (LEX) – 3060

Consecutive regular season matches unbeaten
Lexington SC – 6
Fort Lauderdale United FC – 6

WEEK 8 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – There are no new suspensions to report.

WEEK 8 MATCH NOTES

LEXvCAR

  • Lexington (2-0-4) is coming off a scoreless draw against Spokane, while Carolina (1-2-3) just earned its first win of the season in a 3-2 victory over DC Power.
  • Carolina has never lost to Lexington, having gone 2-0-2 after last season. Carolina won 4-0 the last time the teams met on March 23 behind goals from Riley Parker, Mia Corbin and Audrey Harding.
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) scored in three of the four meetings against Lexington.
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. It led the league last season in clean sheets (12).
  • Lexington is one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the league. It has also been shutout in three of its last four matches.
  • Allison Pantuso (LEX) will face her former Brooklyn FC teammates Mackenzie George, Luana Grabias, and Sydney Martinez (CAR).
  • Sarah Griffith (LEX) will compete against her former Chicago Stars teammate Jill Aguilera (CAR).
  • Kat Asman (LEX) will compete against her former Orlando Pride teammate Brianna Martinez (CAR).

BKNvTB

  • Brooklyn (1-3-3) is coming off a 3-3 draw against Sporting JAX. Tampa Bay Sun (0-3-3) most recently played Fort Lauderdale to a scoreless draw.
  • Brooklyn has never lost to Tampa Bay and holds a 3-0-2 all-time record against the Sun. Brooklyn won 2-1 against Tampa Bay in its home opener earlier this season, with Catherine Zimmerman and Annie Williams scoring in the second half.
  • Brooklyn is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
  • Tampa Bay is still searching for its first win of the season.

SPKvDAL

  • Spokane (2-2-4) enters the weekend following a scoreless draw against Lexington. Dallas (3-2-1) returns to action after having Week 7 off.
  • Both teams hold a 2-2-1 all-time record against each other. Dallas won 2-1 when the teams met earlier this season at the Cotton Bowl behind goals from Allie Thornton and Wayny Balata.
  • Hope Hisey (SPK) is three saves away from reaching 100 career saves. She is also one match away from tying the record for most consecutive matches with a clean sheet (5).
  • Dallas Head Coach Chris Petrucelli and defender Samar Guidry will be unavailable for Sunday’s match due to both receiving red cards in Dallas’ last match against Lexington SC.

Gainbridge Super League Power Rankings – Week 7

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Week 7 of the Gainbridge Super League 2025/26 saw two thrilling back-and-forth battles and two scoreless stalemates. The competition is tight across the league, so here’s who we have in the top four of the Week 7 Power Rankings. 

On The Move

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Lexington SC
(2-0-4)
Week 8: vs. CAR
Last Week:
1		 Lexington SC holds on to the No. 1 spot for the second week in a row after earning another scoreless draw against Spokane. Lexington’s defense has been on lock this season with goalkeeper Kat Asman leading the league in clean sheets and goals conceded.
2 Spokane Zephyr FC
(2-2-4)
Week 8: vs. DAL
 1
Last Week:
3		 Spokane Zephyr FC continues its upward trajectory in the Power Rankings this week after extending its four-match undefeated streak to leapfrog Dallas Trinity into third place on the table. Spokane’s backline has been dominant this season as goalkeeper Hope Hisey leads the league in saves (27) and defenders Reese Tappan and Sarah McCoy combining for 94 clearances.
3 Fort Lauderdale United FC
(3-0-3)
Week 8: —		 1
Last Week:
2		 Fort Lauderdale United FC took home a point on the road in a scoreless draw with Tampa Bay Sun last weekend to remain at the top of the league standings. The South Florida side has the upcoming week off before it concludes its road stretch against also-undefeated Lexington on October 19.
4 Sporting JAX
(2-2-2)
Week 8: —
Last Week:
4		 A high-scoring draw with Brooklyn FC on Saturday sees Sporting JAX maintain its position in the Power Rankings. The visitors kept their composure late in the match when substitute Baylee DeSmit scored the 95th minute equalizer to help the Florida side maintain its undefeated record away from home.

Inaugural Final rematch set for Saturday in Tampa | Week 7 Match Previews

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Brooklyn FC vs. Sporting JAX 

Venue: Maimonides Park; Brooklyn, NY 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 4, 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 71°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Brooklyn FC (1-3-2) enters the match following a 1-2 defeat to Fort Lauderdale United, while Sporting JAX (2-2-1) comes in off the back of their second win of the season, 4-3 over Carolina Ascent.  
  • This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams. 
  • Both teams are still in search of their first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Grace Phillpotts (JAX) will face off against her former team for the first time since joining Jacksonville this summer. Phillpotts recorded a goal and an assist in her six appearances with Brooklyn last season. 
  • Jordan Thompson (BKN) will face off against her former Gonzaga teammate Maddie Kemp (JAX). 
  • Emily Pringle (BKN) will face off against her former University of Pennsylvania teammate Paige Kenton (JAX). 

Players to Watch

BKN– Jess Garziano: The Long Island native is one of Brooklyn’s top playmakers, leading her side this season in crosses (27), chances created (6), and assists (2).  

JAX– Paige Kenton: The University of Delaware alum has started every match this season and provides a steady presence in the backline, while also getting into the attack. Last weekend, she recorded an assist and scored the game-winner in the 4-3 victory over Carolina Ascent. 

 Brooklyn FC Sporting JAX 
Head Coach Tomás Tengarrinha Stacey Balaam 
Record 1-3-2 2-2-1 
Standings 7th 5th 

Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC 

Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 4, 7:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy, 68°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Carolina Ascent FC (0-2-3) has not won a match yet this season, coming into this weekend on the back of a 3-4 defeat to expansion side Sporting JAX. DC Power FC (1-0-3) is back in action this week after having Matchweek 6 off.  
  • Carolina has never lost to DC Power and holds a 3-0-1 record after last season. The Ascent won 1-0 the last time they met, with Sarah Troccoli scoring the game-winner. Troccoli has scored in her last two matches against DC. 
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Jaydah Bedoya (DC) will play against her former team for the first time since joining DC this summer. Bedoya recorded three goals and an assist in 22 appearances with Carolina last season. 
  • Emily Morris (CAR) will face off against her former Wake Forest teammate Emily Colton (DC). 

Players to Watch

CAR– Rylee Baisden: The forward spurred the comeback attempt for Carolina last weekend, scoring her first goal of the season before halftime to bring the Ascent back into the match.  

DC– Loza Abera: The Ethiopian international is a proven goal scorer and versatile finisher that will be a challenge for Carolina’s defense. She recorded her first goal of the season in DC’s last match, a one-touch blast to the upper right corner in the 2-2 draw. 

 Carolina Ascent FC DC Power FC 
Head Coach Phillip Poole Omid Namazi 
Record 0-2-3 1-0-3 
Standings 8th 6th 

Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Venue: Suncoast Credit Union Field; Tampa, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 4, 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Scattered showers, 76°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Tampa Bay Sun FC (0-3-2) returns to action after having Matchweek 6 off. Fort Lauderdale United FC (3-0-2) remains undefeated so far this season, entering the match on the back of their third-consecutive win, 2-1 over Brooklyn FC.  
  • This will be a rematch of last season’s Final, where Tampa Bay won 1-0 after extra time to earn the first league title. 
  • Tampa Bay has never lost to Fort Lauderdale, holding a 2-0-3 record through the regular and postseason. Both of the two wins were at home. In their last regular season meeting, the Sun won 2-0 behind goals from Jordyn Listro and Ava Tankersley. 
  • Tampa Bay is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Sabrina McNeill (TB) will face her former team for the first time since joining Tampa Bay this summer. McNeill recorded a goal and an assist in 15 appearances on Fort Lauderdale’s backline last season. 
  • Mackenzie Pluck (TB) will face off against her former Duke teammate Lily Nabet (FTL).

Players to Watch

TB – Sabrina McNeill: McNeill will be on the other side of the Florida Derby on Saturday, facing off against her former club for the first time. The outside back continues to be a threat on both sides of the of ball, already recorded two assists this season along with 15 clearances and 21 duels won. 

FTL– Kiara Locklear: Leading the attack for Fort Lauderdale, the forward became the club’s all-time leading goal scorer last weekend when she slotted home the game-winner on the road against Brooklyn, her eleventh goal for the club across two seasons.  

 Tampa Bay Sun FC Fort Lauderdale United FC 
Head Coach Denise Schilte Brown Ali Rogers 
Record 0-3-2 3-0-2 
Standings 9th 1st 

Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Lexington SC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium; Spokane, WA 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 4, 9:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 52°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com

Things to Know

  • Both teams enter this weekend on the back of wins last week, with Spokane Zephyr FC (2-2-3) earning its third-consecutive clean sheet last Wednesday, with a 1-0 win over Carolina Ascent and Lexington SC (2-0-3) routing Dallas Trinity with a 6-1 win.  
  • Both Catherine Barry and Addie McCain scored braces in Lexington’s six-goal win last weekend. 
  • Spokane holds a 2-1-2 record all-time against Lexington. The sides most recently played to a scoreless draw in Lexington on September 20. 
  • Emina Ekić, Taylor Aylmer, McKenzie Weinert and Alyssa Bourgeois will return to Spokane for the first time since competing with the Zephyr last season. 
  • Both goalkeepers Hope Hisey and Kat Asman lead the league with three clean sheets each. A clean sheet for Hisey on Saturday would tie her record set last season for most consecutive matches with a shutout (4). 

Players to Watch

SPK– Sophia Braun: The former Gonzaga Bulldog is a key playmaker for her side, leading Spokane in both chances created (10) and crosses (24).  

LEX– Sarah Griffith: The summer signing has cemented her role in creating Lexington’s attacks, ranked second for her side in chances created (7) and tied for most assists in the league (2). 

 Spokane Zephyr FC Lexington SC 
Head Coach Josh McAllister (interim) Masaki Hemmi 
Record 2-2-3 2-0-3 
Standings 4th 3rd 

Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month – September

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The Gainbridge Super League announced the Team of the Month for September on Thursday, with Sporting JAX midfielder Ashlyn Puerta earning Player of the Month. 

Puerta scored six goals in Jacksonville’s first five matches of its inaugural season, leading the team to a 2-2-1 record and fifth place in the standings. The 18-year-old became the youngest player in the league to record a hat trick, doing so within 21 minutes in the 4-3 win against Carolina. Puerta also recorded 15 shots, six chances created and nine tackles. 

GK: Hope Hisey, Spokane Zephyr – Hisey leads the league in saves (22) and recorded three clean sheets this month, helping the Zephyr close out the month on a three-match undefeated streak. 

D: Kelsey Hill, Brooklyn FC – The captain led her side on both the defensive and attacking fronts last month. Hill scored her first-ever goal for Brooklyn on seven shots while also recording 26 clearances and 31 duels won, playing all 540 minutes. 

D: Ella Simpson, Fort Lauderdale United FC – Simpson played a large role in Fort Lauderdale’s undefeated start to the season. In 450 minutes, the center back tallied 28 clearances, 21 duels won and four interceptions, while also finding the back of the net twice. 

D: Sarah McCoy, Spokane Zephyr – McCoy continues to be a powerhouse from Spokane’s backline, leading the league in clearances (44) and ranking third in passes (342) on 88.9% passing accuracy and playing all 630 minutes. 

M: Amber Wisner, Dallas Trinity FC – The midfielder contributed everywhere on the field for Dallas last month. Wisner recorded one goal, one assist, six shots and five chances created. On the defensive end, she made 20 clearances, six interceptions and four tackles. 

M: Addie McCain, Lexington SC – The midfielder helped lead Lexington to an undefeated start to the campaign, playing 434 minutes and recording three goals, one assist, 26 duels won and created six chances. 

M: Alexis Theoret, DC Power FC – Theoret led DC Power to a 1-0-3 record through September from the holding midfielder position. She tallied one assist, seven interceptions, 12 clearances and created five chances. 

M: Kelli Van Treeck, Fort Lauderdale United FC – Across 419 minutes, Van Treeck recorded two goals, one assist, eight shots and 37 duels won to lead Fort Lauderdale to No. 1 in the league standings. 

F: Catherine Barry, Lexington SC – The forward cemented herself in club history after scoring two braces for Lexington last month. Barry also added 10 shots, 34 duels won and six chances created to her stat sheet in her five appearances. 

F: Ashlyn Puerta, Sporting JAX – The 18-year-old has been unstoppable for the expansion side to start the season. Puerta leads the Golden Boot race with six goals while also recording 15 shots, nine tackles and 25 duels and playing every minute. 

F: Kiara Locklear, Fort Lauderdale United FC – Fort Lauderdale’s No. 9 leads her side with four goals across her five appearances, playing every minute. She recorded 10 shots, five chances created and an impressive 35 duels won. 

Coach: Tyrone Mears & Ali Rogers, Fort Lauderdale United FC – Rogers was announced as the head coach mid-September as Mears was elevated to the club’s President of Soccer. The duo led FTL UTD to a 3-0-2 start to the season, highlighted by the 4-1 victory against Dallas for the largest win in club history.  

Bench: Sydney Cummings (DC), Julia Lester (JAX), Sydny Nasello (TB), Gianna Gourley (DC), Maddie Mercado (CAR), Sealey Strawn (DAL), Kat Asman (LEX) 

Which teams set scoring records last weekend? | News & Notes Week 7

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WEEK 7 SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 4
Brooklyn FC vs. Sporting JAX, 6:00 p.m. ET
Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC, 7:00 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Lexington SC, 9:00 p.m. ET

REWIND: WEEK 6

SPOKANE’S STREAK CONTINUES
Spokane recorded its third consecutive clean sheet in the 1-0 victory against Carolina Ascent. It was the first time Zephyr defeated Carolina Ascent after going 0-3-1 last season, and it was the first time Carolina was shut out since May 24.

RECORD NIGHT IN LEXINGTON
Lexington SC’s 6-1 win against Dallas set/tied multiple club and league records.

  • The win was Lexington’s first-ever victory against Dallas after losing all four meetings last season.
  • The six goals scored by Lexington was the most in club history and tied the league record for the most scored by a team in a single match.
  • Sarah Griffith and Tati Fung recorded two assists each, marking the first time in league history where two players recorded multiple assists in a single match.
  • The win extended Lexington’s undefeated streak to a club-record five matches.

FIRST HALF HAT TRICK
Sporting JAX’s Ashlyn Puerta scored the first hat trick of the season in the 4-3 win over Carolina Ascent. It was the fourth hat trick in league history, the second-fastest at 21 minutes, and she is the youngest to record a hat trick at 18 years old.

BRACE OFF THE BENCH
Carolina’s Mackenzie George scored two goals as a substitute in the match against Sporting JAX. It was just the third time a player has scored multiple goals after entering the match as a substitute, joining DC’s Allie Flanagan and Loza Abera.

FREE KICK DOMINANCE
Fort Lauderdale’s Stella Nyamekye opened the scoring in the 2-1 win over Brooklyn with a goal from a direct free kick. It was the third direct free kick goal for FTL UTD in league history; no other club has more than one.

GOLDEN AWARDS CURRENT LEADERS

GOALS:

1. Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) – 6
T-2. Catherine Barry (LEX) – 4
T-2. Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4

ASSISTS:

T-1. Emina Ekić (LEX) – 2
T-1. Sabrina McNeill (TB) – 2
T-1. Julia Lester (JAX) – 2
T-1. Meg Hughes (JAX) – 2
T-1. Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 2
T-1. Sydny Nasello (TB) – 2
T-1. Sarah Griffith (LEX) – 2
T-1. Tati Fung (LEX) – 2
T-1. Jess Garziano (BKN) – 2
T-1. Cameron Tucker (SPK) – 2

GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE:

1. Kat Asman (LEX) – 0.8
2. Hope Hisey (SPK) – 0.85
T-3. Morgan Aquino (DC) – 1.25
T-3. Bre Norris (BKN) – 1.25
5. Bella Hara (FTL) – 1.4

WEEK 7 STORYLINES

FINAL REMATCH
Reigning league champions Tampa Bay Sun FC will face off against Fort Lauderdale United FC for the first time since last season’s Final, where the Sun won 1-0 after extra time. Fort Lauderdale has never beaten Tampa Bay in the five times they’ve met (0-2-3).

SEARCHING FOR WINS
Tampa Bay and Carolina, the two teams with the most wins last season, are currently the only two that have not yet earned a win this season.

UNDEFEATED RUNS
Fort Lauderdale, DC Power and Lexington SC are all still undefeated since the start of the season.

UPCOMING MILESTONES & ACTIVE STREAKS

Upcoming Milestones
Approaching 15 all-time regular season goals
Mia Corbin (CAR) – 13
Addie McCain (LEX) – 13
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 11

Approaching 10 all-time regular season assists
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 8
Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 8
Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7

Approaching 15 all-time regular season shutouts
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 12

Active Streaks
Consecutive regular season minutes played across seasons
Sarah McCoy (SPK) – 3150
Amber Wisner (DAL) – 3060
Allison Pantuso (LEX) – 2970

Consecutive regular season matches with a goal across seasons
Fort Lauderdale United FC – 13

Consecutive regular season matches unbeaten
Lexington SC – 5
Fort Lauderdale United FC – 5
DC Power FC – 4

WEEK 7 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the Gainbridge Super League’s discipline report for Week 7 of the 2025/26 season:

Dallas Trinity FC’s Samar Guidry has been suspended for one game following her red card for two cautionable offenses against Lexington SC on September 26. Additionally, Dallas Head Coach Chris Petrucelli has been suspended for one game following his red card for foul and abusive language against Lexington SC on September 26. Guidry will be unavailable for selection and Petrucelli is unable to be on the sideline for Dallas’ contest against Spokane Zephyr FC on October 12.

WEEK 7 MATCH NOTES

BKNvJAX

  • Brooklyn (1-3-2) looks to rebound after falling 2-1 to Fort Lauderdale last weekend. Sporting JAX (2-2-1) is coming off a 4-3 road win against Carolina Ascent.
  • This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams.
  • Both teams are still in search of their first clean sheet of the season.
  • Grace Phillpotts (JAX) will face off against her former team for the first time since joining Jacksonville this summer. Phillpotts recorded a goal and an assist in her six appearances with Brooklyn last season.
  • Jordan Thompson (BKN) will face off against her former Gonzaga teammate Maddie Kemp (JAX).
  • Emily Pringle (BKN) will face off against her former University of Pennsylvania teammate Paige Kenton (JAX).

CARvDC

  • Carolina Ascent (0-2-3) looks to earn its first win of the season after suffering back-to-back home losses last week. DC Power (1-0-3) returns to action after having Week 6 off.
  • Carolina has never lost to DC Power and holds a 3-0-1 record after last season. The Ascent won 1-0 the last time they met, with Sarah Troccoli scoring the game-winner. Troccoli has scored in her last two matches against DC.
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
  • Jaydah Bedoya (DC) will play against her former team for the first time since joining DC this summer. Bedoya recorded three goals and an assist in 22 appearances with Carolina last season.
  • Emily Morris (CAR) will face off against her former Wake Forest teammate Emily Colton (DC).

TBvFTL

  • Tampa Bay (0-3-2) returns to action after having Week 6 off. Fort Lauderdale (3-0-2) is coming off a 2-1 road win against Brooklyn.
  • This will be a rematch of last season’s Final, where Tampa Bay won 1-0 after extra time to earn the first league title.
  • Tampa Bay has never lost to Fort Lauderdale, holding a 2-0-3 record through the regular and postseason. Both of the two wins were at home. In their last regular season meeting, the Sun won 2-0 behind goals from Jordyn Listro and Ava Tankersley.
  • Tampa Bay is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
  • Sabrina McNeill (TB) will face her former team for the first time since joining Tampa Bay this summer. McNeill recorded a goal and an assist in 15 appearances on Fort Lauderdale’s backline last season.
  • Mackenzie Pluck (TB) will face off against her former Duke teammate Lily Nabet (FTL).

SPKvLEX

  • Both teams enter Saturday’s match coming off a win. Spokane (2-2-3) won 1-0 against Carolina, and Lexington (2-0-3) won 6-1 against Dallas in Week 6.
  • Spokane holds a 2-1-2 record all-time against Lexington. The sides most recently played to a scoreless draw in Lexington on September 20.
  • Emina Ekić, Taylor Aylmer and Alyssa Bourgeois will play in Spokane for the first time since playing with the Zephyr last season.
  • Both goalkeepers Hope Hisey and Kat Asman lead the league with three clean sheets each. A clean sheet for Hisey on Saturday would tie her record set last season for most consecutive matches with a shutout (4).

Gainbridge Super League Power Rankings – Week 6

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Lexington topples Dallas in six-goal win to move into the top spot 

With 18 goals scored across four matches, Week 6 of the Gainbridge Super League 2025/26 season had us on the edge of our seats. As we see major movement on the table, here are our top four teams coming out on top in the Week 6 Power Rankings.

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Lexington SC
(2-0-3)
Week 7: @ SPK		 1
Last Week:
2		 Lexington SC soars to the top of the rankings this week after a dominant showing last Saturday, finding the back of the net three times in each half for a resounding 6-1 win over Dallas Trinity. Catherine Barry and Addie McCain notched braces to earn the Girls in Green their first win in club history against Dallas and continue their streak of five consecutive matches undefeated.
2 Fort Lauderdale United FC
(3-0-2)
Week 7: @ TB		 1
Last Week:
1		 Returning to the Power Rankings for the fifth week in a row, Fort Lauderdale United FC earned a 2-1 victory over Brooklyn FC on the road to move into first in the standings. FTL UTD’s attacking prowess has been on display this season, leading the league in goal conversion rate (24%) and goals scored (12), with Sunday’s win earning the Florida side a third-consecutive win.
3 Spokane Zephyr FC
(2-2-3)
Week 7: vs. LEX
 1
Last Week:
4		 Moving up in the Power Rankings, Spokane Zephyr FC earned its first road win this season, defeating Carolina Ascent for the first time in club history with a 1-0 win. Tori Zierenberg slotted home the game winner and her first professional goal in the 35th minute, and a strong performance from Spokane’s backline held the lead to earn its third clean sheet of the season.
4 Sporting JAX
(2-2-0)
Week 7: @ BKN		 1
Last Week:
3		 Sporting JAX earned another road win on Sunday after a first-half hat trick by Ashlyn Puerta secured a 4-3 win over Carolina Ascent. Despite a second-half comeback from Carolina, the game-winning goal from Paige Kenton propelled Sporting JAX to victory and a return to the Power Rankings for the first time since Week 2.

What we learned from Week 6 of the Gainbridge Super League

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Week 6 of the Gainbridge Super League was one for the record books. A new team took over the No. 1 spot in the standings, we got a historic first hat trick of the season, and a record-tying six-goal performance was put on the board, all in three separate matches.  

Here are the three things we took away from last week. 

1. Spokane’s defense is its key to success 

In its most recent outing, Spokane dug in impressively to hold Lexington scoreless, earning a valuable point on the road. That performance was made all the more impressive this past weekend, when Lexington dropped six goals against former league-leader Dallas Trinity FC. For Zephyr to follow that up with another clean sheet against Carolina, which hadn’t been shut out since May, is further proof of how its defensive unit has become a tough one to break down. 

We already knew about Hope Hisey. There’s a reason she’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, and she’s off to another great start, leading the league with 22 saves and three clean sheets. What’s new is the addition of Reese Tappan – who logged only 244 minutes last season – as part of the club’s center back partnership with 2024/25 All-League selection Sarah McCoy. That duo combined for 15 clearances against the Ascent on Wednesday, extending their leads as No. 1 and 2 in the league in that category. The three of them communicate and move together so fluidly to shut down danger as opponents attempt to enter the penalty area.  

It forced Carolina out wide all night long, where outside backs Kelsey Oyler and Haley Thomas were waiting for them with typically strong defensive performances. Where Oyler and Thomas have also been key has been serving as the trigger for Spokane’s attack. When this defensive unit is combined with strikers like Lena Silano, Tori Zierenberg and Ally Cook, it’s no surprise Spokane has started to find its stride. 

2. Carolina needs to find consistency between both halves 

Two weeks ago, we pointed out one positive for Carolina had been its ability to climb out of holes after falling into first-half deficits, but it was always going to be a flaw that needed to be addressed. As we saw in both of its Week 6 matches, the team either didn’t put away chances, or only did once it was too late. 

When Madison Mercado’s first-half penalty kick rang the left post, it proved a key moment in the game. Spokane struck 15 minutes later, and Ascent was unable to recover as it fell to a 1-0 win on Wednesday night. The fight was a little more promising on Sunday in the side’s 4-3 loss to Sporting JAX, especially the brace from Mackenzie George off the bench. However, when you concede three goals in the opening 30 minutes and then a fourth immediately after you just got yourself back into the match, the second-half comeback is asking for a lot. 

“Another home result that doesn’t hit the standard of our club,” said Head Coach Philip Poole. “All in all, it’s another game of two halves. 
We weren’t good enough in the first half, but good enough to win in the second half, despite the deficit of the first half.” 

Carolina has conceded the opening goal in each of its past three outings and has only found the net once in the opening half-hour in its first five games. It needs to start getting out to better starts to turn around a slow start. 

3. Everything is clicking for Lexington 

Any time a team scores six goals in a single match, it calls into question is the team actually that good or was the opponent just that much worse? In this case, Lexington is really that good.  

Every single one of the goals was assisted – somehow, Emina Ekic’s pursuit of 10 career assists did not benefit from this – showing the team can connect passes up the field or find each other on set pieces. Starters and substitutes got into the action, and it was a strong rebound after its last two scoreless draws. 

“I thought I owed it to the team after the last couple of games,” Cat Barry said after her two-goal display. “I had a few close chances, and obviously drawing in those games wasn’t a great feeling. So, I really wanted to come out tonight and help my team secure three points. To achieve those goals early on, to help take some of the pressure off us, was huge.” 

Everyone was watching Lexington closely after the overhaul of its roster this summer. With an undefeated start through five games, it’s moving in a great direction. 

Which Gainbridge Super League playmaker will reach 10 assists first? 

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Two weeks ago, Spokane’s Hope Hisey became the first goalkeeper to reach 10 regular season clean sheets in the Gainbridge Super League’s history, following Dallas’ Allie Thornton becoming the first to reach double-digit goals last season. That leaves just one major milestone left with assists, and two players are closing in on that feat. 

Entering this weekend, Lexington SC’s Emina Ekić and Dallas Trinity FC’s Chioma Ubogagu sit at the top of the pack with eight assists each, after surpassing the reigning Golden Playmaker Jill Aguilera at Carolina Ascent FC with seven. So, who will reach 10 first? The numbers are almost too close to call. 

For starters, Ekić has played 62 more minutes than Ubogagu. That might be surprising considering she missed time on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Ubogagu dealt with a minor leg injury last season that sidelined her for a few matches to balance the difference. But the way the two are being employed so far this season could be a differentiator – Ubogagu has subbed off in all four appearances and is averaging about 68 minutes per game, while Ekić is playing the full 90. In terms of time on the field, Ekić will have more opportunity to record assists. 

The two players also have eerily similar stats when it comes to playmaking. Ekić has created 57 chances to Ubogagu’s 56, Ubogagu has 31% cross/corner accuracy to Ekić’s 29%, and they’ve both sent 32 successful corners into the box. However, the slight edge goes to the English international when it comes to efficiency and quality of chance creation. Ubogagu has eight more successful crosses, and while they have the same number of successful corners into the box, Ubogagu has a league-high 6.75 Expected Assists across the two seasons, compared to Ekić’s 6.1xA mark, all while playing less minutes. 

Even with that, there’s another reason why Ubogagu is most likely to reach 10 assists before Ekić, and it’s not because of any of those previously mentioned stats.  

Ubogagu is playing alongside the Golden Boot winner and arguably the best striker in the league with Allie Thornton. We saw last weekend how easily they played off each other; Ubogagu barely had to look up to see where Thornton would be to play her the perfect ball at the penalty spot for her to finish against Tampa Bay. Ubogagu didn’t even think about shooting, and why should she, if she can just pass to someone with a 31% shot conversion rate and 60% shooting accuracy? 

Ekić feeds her teammates as well, but she’s more willing to cut inside and take it herself. With the new personnel Lexington has brought in like Addie McCain, Sarah Griffith and Tati Fung, Ekić can continue her runs into the box and make give-and-go passes through the final third to set herself up for a shot. Her 10 goals to Ubogagu’s five show she’s looking to score just as often, if not more than she looks to pass. Her league-leading 18 goal contributions and 2024/25 Player of the Year award show there’s nothing wrong with that, but it leaves the door open for Ubogagu hit double digits first.