Fort Lauderdale, Brooklyn, Tampa Bay look to break three-way tie

REWIND: WEEK 28 NOTES

DC 0 – 1 CAR

GOALS:
- Sarah Troccoli (CAR) 59’, Mia Corbin assist.
STORYLINES:
- SECOND: Troccoli scored her second goal of the season.
- FIRST: Corbin recorded her first assist of the season. She’s now in double digit goal contributions with nine goals.
- ACADEMY STANDOUT: DC’s Valentina Perrotta became the youngest player to start a Super League match at 14 years and 296 days old.
- SERIES RECORD: Carolina defeated DC 1-0 for the third time this season for a record of 3-0-1. Their one draw ended 3-3 in February.
- SHUTOUTS: DC was held scoreless in back-to-back matches for the first time this spring.
QUOTES:
- DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana:
  - On overall thoughts on the match… “I thought they came out there and they did their best. They stuck to the tactics, played 90 minutes and gave it their all. Our talk heading into this game was to just play free. Yeah, the pressure is on, but they did a great job of leaving that in locker room and getting on the field and just playing soccer. I was happy with their performance.”
  - On Perrotta’s first professional start… “She’s fearless. She doesn’t care if it’s a 27-year- old vet, she’s going to go at them, do her best and work. She’s just fearless and with the youth, they come on and have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I was happy with her ability to adjust against Carolina’s left side, their strongest side. She had to go up against some of the best players in the league and she held her own.”
- Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole:
  - On the team’s second-half performance… “We created some very good chances in the first half, chances we probably would like to put away and have been putting away, but you know, the players stuck with the plan, stuck at their task, and got the result that we came here for, which is a clean sheet.”
- Carolina defender Addisyn Merrick:
  - On three consecutive clean sheets… “I think our backline has focused a lot on the communication piece, listening, and trusting each other. As a whole, I think we’ve done a better job focusing on the details.”

CAR 5 – 0 BKN

GOALS:
- Jenna Butler (CAR) 17’, Taylor Porter assist.
- Addisyn Merrick (CAR) 51’, Taylor Porter assist.
- Jill Aguilera (CAR) 65’
- Audrey Harding (CAR) 69’, Riley Parker assist.
- B Hylton (CAR) 81’
STORYLINES:
- FIRSTS: Merrick and Hylton recorded their first goals of the season.
- GOALS: Butler and Aguilera recorded their second goal of the season. Harding recorded her third.
- ASSISTS: Porter recorded her second and third assists of the season. Parker recorded her second.
- FIVE GOALS, FIVE SCORERS: Carolina set a club record for most goals scored and most unique goal scorers in a match.
- CLEAN SHEETS: Carolina has outscored its opponents 13-0 to win its last four matches, tying the record for most consecutive clean sheets. All four clean sheets have gone to Samantha Leshnak Murphy.
- SHUTOUTS: Brooklyn has now been held scoreless in six of its nine spring matches. It was only shut out three times during the Fall Schedule.
QUOTES:
- Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole:
  - On Taylor Porter earning two assists… “She has been unsung, but not internally. We recognize her value, and we recognize her leadership. She’s incredible and she’s a good leader, but I am just happy for her to get a little spotlight tonight because she deserves it.”
- Carolina forward B Hylton:
  - On her first professional goal… “It doesn’t feel real. I’ve had other opportunities and just wanted to take advantage. Chances like those don’t always come at the pro level.”
- Brooklyn Head Coach Jess Silva:
  - On what needs to change within the team… “We just need to be better and more consistent. At one point and time, this isn’t about the X’s and O’s. Every individual needs to step up and rise to the challenge.”
- Brooklyn midfielder Sam Kroeger:
  - On how the team needs to play… “Sticking together and continuing to play how we want to play is super important in moments when the game isn’t going our way. Any momentum change is vital. Overall, it’s a team effort, so we win together and lose together.”

TB 4 – 1 LEX

GOALS:
- Sydney Nasello (TB) 36’
- Carlee Giammona (TB) 44’, Jordyn Listro assist.
- Cecile Fløe (TB) 45+2’
- Nicole Vernis (LEX) 58’
- Hannah Keane (TB) 90’, Vivianne Bessette assist.
STORYLINES:
- FIRSTS: Vernis and Keane both recorded their first goal of the season. Listro recorded her first assist of the season.
- SECOND: Nasello recorded her second goal of the season. Bessette recorded her second assist.
- SEVENTH: Giammona and Fløe both recorded their seventh goal of the season. They are tied for second on the team behind Tash Flint with eight goals.
- FOUR GOALS, FOUR SCORERS: Tampa Bay set a club record for most goals scored and most unique goal scorers in a match.
- SERIES RECORD: Tampa Bay has won against Lexington all three times the teams have met, and it has scored at least three goals in every match.
QUOTES:
- Tampa Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown:
  - On the teams focus while vying for a playoff spot… “I think momentum is important, and we’re proud of the ladies to get back-to-back wins. But, focusing on something that’s out of our control is not going to help us. We’re just going to think about our next game and the next task at hand.”
- Tampa goal scorer Hannah Keane:
  - On her goal and the team’s aims… “I’m so happy to get a goal and contribute in any way I can to this team because we really need it right now. We want to make the finals, we want a big push, we want lots of goals, we want teams to be afraid of us. And I’m just happy to be out there and able to help”
- Lexington Interim Head Coach Sam Stockley:
  - On overall thoughts on the match… “It’s always tough to take when the scoreline doesn’t really reflect the overall performance. And three of those goals came in a short spell right before half, which was frustrating because I actually thought for large stretches, we were well in the game. We played with purpose, we created chances. But at this level, moments matter. It’s about being switched on for the full 90+.”
- Lexington goal scorer Nicole Vernis:
  - On scoring her first professional goal… “It’s always a special moment to put the ball in the back of the net, especially knowing how hard we’ve all been working day in and day out. Of course, it would’ve meant more if the result had gone our way, but I still take a lot of pride in contributing in that way for the team.”

FTL 1 – 1 DC

GOALS:
- Gianna Gourley (DC) 46’, Susanna Fitch assist.
- Jasmine Hamid (FTL) 50’, Felicia Knox assist.
STORYLINES:
- EIGHTH: Hamid recorded her eighth goal of the season.
- FOURTH: Gourley recorded her fourth goal of the season, coming against the club she is on loan from.
- ASSISTS: Knox is now tied for first on the club with her third assist of the season. Fitch recorded her first.
- CLOSE MATCHES: All seven of DC’s spring matches have been draws or losses decided by one goal. The team’s record since the return from break is 0-4-3.
QUOTES:
- FTL Head Coach Tyrone Mears:
  - On what the team needs to work on moving forward… “Two tough opponents ahead, and we need to be sharper. I’m looking for a response—more urgency, more execution, and the mentality to turn performances into results.”
- FTL midfielder Addie McCain:
  - On the team’s concentration for the remaining games… “I’d say I think for our team to continue to get back on the right track. The playoff line is tight. We will continue to focus on ourselves and learning from each game in hopes to get points against a couple very good opponents.”
- DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana:
  - On the match moving the team in the right direction… “It’s always a positive when you can get a point on the road, especially in Fort Lauderdale. I have a lot of respect for Tyrone (Mears) and the things he’s able to do. Especially tactically, I think he’s one of the best in the league. To come out and go toe-to-toe with him bodes well for the team. Also, it gives us some confidence. It’s been a tough week so for the girls to bounce back after a tough loss against Carolina, it’s nothing but positive.”
- DC goal scorer Gianna Gourley:
  - On her 46^th minute goal… “Going into halftime, we felt good, had high energy and were creating good chances. We brought that energy into the second half and scored quickly. I thought (Susanna) did a great job and had a lot of confidence to take that player on. She did all the work, and I made my run inside, did a floater and she placed the ball perfectly.”
  - On where the team can improve before its next match against Tampa Bay… “We go in bouts where we’re not connecting simple passes or get chaotic on the ball. I thought we did better today and played for the most part a full 90 minutes. I think staying locked in, creating more chances and just being confident, that confidence goes a long way.”

SPK 3 – 0 DAL

GOALS:
- Ally Cook (SPK) 55’, McKenzie Weinert assist.
- Sydney Cummings (SPK) 58’
- Katie Murray (SPK) 84’, Alyssa Bourgeois assist.
STORYLINES:
- FIRSTS: Cummings recorded her first goal of the season. Weinert and Bourgeois recorded their first assists of the season.
- GOALS: Cook and Murray are tied for second-most on the team with three goals each.
- UNDEFEATED: Spokane is on a five-match unbeaten streak (4-0-1).
- GOLDEN GLOVE: Goalkeeper Hope Hisey currently leads the Golden Glove race with a goals-against average of 0.86. She has recorded three straight clean sheets and seven overall.
- SERIES RECORD: With the win, Spokane finished the season with a 2-1-1 record against Dallas. Both wins came during the spring.
QUOTES:
- Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson:
  - On the team’s mentality… “It doesn’t matter what’s happening—whether we’re down a goal, up two, whatever—we’re just going to continue to lean into the process and keep rolling.”
- Spokane goal scorer Katie Murray:
  - On the team’s development throughout this season… “It just shows that our team is resilient. In the fall, we were high and low, but in the spring, you can see the growth in composure.”
- Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald:
  - On what the team needs to improve on… “I think we need to make sure when we have the momentum in the game and create good chances, that we take advantage of that situation and are more ruthless with our final actions.”
- Dallas forward Cyera Hintzen:
  - On what went wrong and what needs to change… “It was frustrating. We started out well and then kind of lost it as the game went along. I think we just need to stay hungry and stay consistent with the way that we start. Even though we went down in the second half, we still created good opportunities. Just like Spokane put them away, we need to put our chances away, battle and not get down on ourselves.”

WEEK 29 SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 16th
Lexington SC v Spokane Zephyr FC, 6:00 p.m. ET

Friday, April 18th
DC Power FC v Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, April 19th
Dallas Trinity FC v Fort Lauderdale United FC, 5:00 p.m. ET
Brooklyn FC v Lexington SC, 6:00 p.m. ET
Carolina Ascent FC v Spokane Zephyr FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

WEEK 29 STORYLINES

BROOKLYN COACHING CHANGE
Brooklyn FC announced Tuesday it has parted ways with head coach Jessica Silva and will soon announce the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

THREE-WAY TIE
Brooklyn, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay are in a three-way tie for third place with 33 points. A win for either team would tie it with second-place Dallas Trinity at 36 points.

ONGOING STREAKS
Teams from around the league are currently riding both positive and negative streaks as we head into the final seven weeks of the regular season.

Carolina Ascent is on a four-match winning and clean sheet streak.
Spokane Zephyr is on a five-match unbeaten streak (4-0-1).
Brooklyn is on a nine-match winless streak and hasn’t won a match since December 14.
DC Power is also on a nine-match winless streak and hasn’t won a match since November 23.

ACADEMY STANDOUTS
DC Power and USYNT midfielder Valentina Perrotta became the youngest player to start in a Super League match at 14 years old. Carolina Ascent’s B Hylton also became the club’s youngest goal scorer at 17 years old.

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS

Brooklyn’s Allison Pantuso played for Oregon State University in 2018 with Lexington goalkeeper Bridgette Skiba.
Lexington’s Trinity Watson played from 2019-2022 with Brooklyn’s Kelsey Hill at Pepperdine.
Carolina defender Jill Aguilera played at the University of Arizona with Spokane goalkeeper Hope Hisey from 2019-2021.

DISCIPLINE REPORT – WEEK 29

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

LEAGUE LEADERS – WEEK 29

GOALS:

Addie McCain (FTL) – 9 goals
Allie Thornton (DAL) – 9 goals
Mia Corbin (CAR) – 9 goals
Natasha Flint (TB) – 8 goals
Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 8 goals
Carlee Giammona (TB) – 7 goals
Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (TB) – 7 goals
Madison Parsons (LEX) – 5 goals
Emina Ekić (SPK) – 5 goals

ASSISTS:

Madison Perez (LEX) – 5 assists
Madi Parsons (LEX) – 5 assists
Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 5 assists
Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 5 assists
Mackenzie Pluck (BKN) – 4 assists
Emina Ekić (SPK) – 4 assists
Shea Moyer (LEX) – 4 assists
Mackenzie George (BKN) – 4 assists
Audrey Harding (CAR) – 4 assists
Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 3 assists
Rylee Baisden (CAR) – 3 assists
Sydny Nasello (TB) – 3 assists
Lucy Shepherd (DAL) – 3 assists
Allie Thornton (DAL) – 3 assists
Taylor Porter (CAR) – 3 assists
Felicia Knox (FTL) – 3 assists

CLEAN SHEETS:

Madison White (DAL) – 9 clean sheets
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 7 clean sheets
Meagan McClelland (CAR) – 6 clean sheets
Cosette Morche (FTL) – 5 clean sheets
Sydney Martinez (BKN) – 4 clean sheets
Morgan Aquino (DC) – 4 clean sheets
Neeku Purcell (BKN) – 4 clean sheets
Ashley Orkus (TB) – 4 clean sheets
Samantha Murphey (CAR) – 4 clean sheets

MILESTONES

HAT TRICKS:

DAL – Allie Thornton (09.13.24): 61 minutes
FTL – Addie McCain (09.22.24): 68 minutes
BKN – Luana Grabias (11.13.24): 13 minutes

BRACES:

DAL – Chioma Ubogagu (09.13.24)
DC – Madison Wolfbauer (09.29.24)
TB – Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (10.02.24)
CAR – Ashlynn Serepca (10.19.24)
LEX – Madison Parsons (10.19.24)
DC – Allie Flanagan (10.25.24)
TB – Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (11.02.24)
LEX – Hannah Richardson (12.14.24)
TB – Natasha Flint (12.14.24)
FTL – Kiara Locklear (12.14.24)
DAL – Allie Thornton (03.09.25)
SPK – Emina Ekić (03.15.25)
FTL – Sh’Nia Gordon (03.15.25)
CAR – Audrey Harding (03.23.25)
TB – Natasha Flint (03.29.25)
CAR – Mia Corbin (03.29.25)