Playoff race heats up with three spots remaining | News & Notes Week 31

REWIND: WEEK 30 NOTES

SPK 3 – 2 TB

• GOALS:
  • Taylor Alymer (SPK) 14’. 
  • McKenzie Weinert (SPK) 25’, Emina Ekić assist. 
  • Sydny Nasello (TB) 27’.  
  • McKenzie Weinert (SPK) 68’, Katie Murray assist.  
  • Tash Flint (TB) 78’, PK.  
• STORYLINES:
  • BAGGED A BRACE: McKenzie Weinert scored a brace for the first time this season. She is the second Spokane player to record a brace aside from Emina Ekić, who has done it twice. 
  • GOALS: Taylor Aylmer scored her fourth goal, Sydny Nasello scored her third and Tash Flint scored her ninth goal of the season. 
  • ASSISTS: Ekić recorded her league-leading sixth assist of the season. Katie Murray recorded her first assist. 
  • 3-2 SCORELINE: Saturday was the fourth time this season Spokane finished a match with a 3-2 scoreline and the second time that was the score against Tampa Bay. Spokane was on the other side of this result when the team previously played at Riverfront Stadium, and the Sun came from behind twice to win 3-2. 
  • FIRST TO SCORE: Spokane has won all seven of its matches this spring when it scores first. In all three of its other matches, it was either shutout or scored second. 
• QUOTES:
  • Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson: 
    • On the slow start… “We didn’t play well in the first 15 minutes, but we didn’t get down on ourselves or lose our focus. We figured out how to handle their pressure, and our players stayed prepared.” 
    • On how the win builds confidence for the team’s playoffs ambitions… “Good teams find ways to win. Playoff teams find ways to win. Even today wasn’t our best game, but we found a way to close it out.” 
  • Spokane scorer McKenzie Weinert: 
    • On scoring a brace… “It’s been nice to finally put some balls in the back of the net, but credit to my teammates and coaches for always believing in me.” 
  • Tampa Bay Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “Never an easy trip to Spokane, but the ladies came ready and dominated most of the match. The goals against came a little too easily, but we stayed resilient and fought hard until the final whistle. Proud of the effort and heart.” 
  • Tampa Bay midfielder Sydny Nasello: 
    • On the team’s focus the rest of the season… “Our focus going forward is just to keep improving and trusting the process. We are doing the right things, and it’s frustrating at times, but I really believe in this group, and we just need to be more clinical in and around the box. We created so many chances, not just today, and we just didn’t put them away. And then we need to be strong defensively for a full 90 minutes. A lot of the goals we are conceding are too easy, and we just need to be better and cleaner all around and the results will come for us.” 

BKN 0 – 1 DC

• GOALS:
  • Gianna Gourley (DC) 37’, Emily Colton assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • SNAPPED THE STREAK: Saturday’s win was DC’s first of the spring, and it ended a nine-match winless streak for DC dating back to November. Brooklyn holds the longest current winless streak at 11 matches. 
  • FIFTH: Gianna Gourley scored her fifth goal of the season. It was also Morgan Aquino’s fifth clean sheet of the season. 
  • FIRST: Emily Colton recorded her first assist of the season. 
  • CLOSE GAMES: All nine of DC’s matches this spring have been draws, or the results have been decided by one goal. 
  • HOME/AWAY: DC’s win was its third win on the road. Power FC has a better record away (3-5-4) than it does at Audi Field (1-7-3). 
• QUOTES:
  • Brooklyn Interim Head Coach Kevin Tenjo: 
    • On the team’s playoff hopes… I’m very competitive, so I think success will be getting into the playoffs. We are gonna keep competing. We believe in this group of girls. They are giving their 100%. At this point, the results are not with us. But, we keep fighting. And of course, the goal is to be in the playoffs.” 
  • Brooklyn defender Tori Hansen: 
    • On the team’s mindset… “It’s been a tough couple weeks, but we keep going. It’s that simple. We do have three games left. We’re still in contention for playoffs, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”   
  • DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana: 
    • On the team’s first win of the spring… “More than the win, I’m really happy with the performance from the group. You can see how we’re constantly growing and becoming the team we want to be. I thought we controlled most aspects of the game. The possession, space, tempo, the ball. Out of possession, I think we got our tactics right with our press and block shape.” 
  • DC scorer Gianna Gourley: 
    • On the team’s chemistry… “From day one, the culture’s been great. We’ve supported each other, and a lot of teams would have caved considering we’ve had a lot of results not go our way. We’ve stayed together and it’s why we still play with fire and play with passion. When someone scores, we celebrate because it’s a team effort and we’re happy for one another. We have a bond here and we all celebrate together knowing what we put in day in, day out. It’s nice to celebrate together because it’s been a long time coming.” 

FTL 2 – 5 CAR

• GOALS:
  • Jasmine Hamid (FTL) 3’, Kiara Locklear assist. 
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) 5’, Audrey Harding assist.  
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) 17’. 
  • Sarah Troccoli (CAR) 34’, Jill Aguilera assist.  
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) 77’, Kathrynn González assist.  
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) 81’ – PK 
  • Addie McCain (FTL) 90+2’, Thelma Hermannsdottir assist.  
• STORYLINES:
  • DOUBLE BRACES: For the first time this season, two players on the same team each scored a brace in the same match. 
  • GOLDEN BOOT: Mia Corbin’s brace, her second of the season, moves her back to the top of the Golden Boot race with 12 goals. 
  • GOALS: Jasmine Hamid scored her ninth goal of the season, Audrey Harding scored her fourth and fifth goals, Sarah Troccoli scored her third and Addie McCain scored her tenth. 
  • ASSISTS: Kiara Locklear recorded her fourth assist of the season, Harding recorded her fifth, Jill Aguilera recorded her sixth, and Kathrynn González and Thelma Hermannsdottir both recorded their first. 
  • SNAPPED THE STREAK: FTL UTD was the first team to score on Carolina since Tampa Bay on March 15. The Ascent had set the record for most consecutive clean sheets with five. 
• QUOTES:
  • Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Tyrone Mears: 
    • On the team’s overall performance… “It was a poor performance from us tonight — we have to be better in every area. We’ll use this feeling as fuel heading into Brooklyn. The focus now is on learning from tonight and making sure we respond the right way next week.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale captain Addie McCain: 
    • On how to shift the focus toward next week… “I think the team will reflect, watch the game back, learn from our mistakes and move forward. We still have so much to play for and it’s about putting that last game in the rearview mirror and continuing to push for one of those playoff spots which we are fully capable of.” 
  • Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole: 
    • On the team’s response after conceding early… “The response was really good. I think we haven’t necessarily been great from coming from behind, we’ve tied a couple of games. We haven’t been necessarily great at turning those into wins, so it’s another step forward in that department for sure.” 
  • Carolina defender Jill Aguilera: 
    • On the team heading to the playoffs…“It’s really exciting to be the first team to clinch playoffs, our hard work has been paying off but we still have important games coming up and our intensity and high performance mindset does not change as we work toward winning the final games of the season. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far, but our work isn’t done yet.” 

DAL 3 – 1 LEX

• GOALS:
  • Tamara Bolt (DAL) 5’. 
  • Hannah White (LEX) 69’, Shea Moyer assist.  
  • Sealey Strawn (DAL) 70’, Camryn Lancaster assist.  
  • Allie Thornton (DAL) 90+3’, Jenny-Julia Danielsson.
• STORYLINES:
  • SEASON SWEEP: Dallas won all four matchups this season against Lexington. Dallas scored at least three goals in all four matches. 
  • GOALS: Tamara Bolt scored her first goal of the season, Hannah White scored her second, Sealey Strawn scored her third and Allie Thornton scored her eleventh. 
  • ASSISTS: Shea Moyer recorded her fifth assist of the season, Camryn Lancaster recorded her first and Jenny-Julia Danielsson recorded her second. 
  • SUPER SUB: All three of Strawn’s goals were after she was substituted into the match. No one else in the league has scored more than two goals off the bench. 
• QUOTES:
  • Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “I think that there are a lot of lessons for us to be learned from this evening. I’m delighted with the result and it keeps us in a very good spot to secure a playoff spot, which is our objective.”  
  • Dallas scorer Sealey Strawn: 
    • On what the win means for the team… “It was really important for us. We have four games left, and today in the locker room, the main point was that we needed to win this match. We needed to come away with three points and we did that. I am really proud of that.” 
  • Lexington Interim Head Coach Sam Stockley: 
    • On how conceding early impacted the rest of the match… “The first half performance was very lackluster, but in the second half we came out and we went toe to toe with them. We got the goal, and then obviously to concede the second goal within 15 seconds was a real blow for us, but we tried to then get after the rest of the game, and we conceded the late goal. Very pleased with our performance in the second half.” 
  • Lexington forward Natalie Higgins: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “I think last night’s 3-1 score didn’t reflect the team’s performance especially in the second half. This team is special and I think there’s a togetherness about this squad that has weathered many storms and continues to stay connected and play for each other. We are a team that’s not going to take our foot off the gas .We will continue to work hard and play every game with a hunger to get a result.” 

WEEK 31 SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 3rd 
Fort Lauderdale United FC v Brooklyn FC, 7:30 p.m. ET  
Tampa Bay Sun FC v Dallas Trinity FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Spokane Zephyr FC v Lexington SC, 9 p.m. ET

WEEK 31 STORYLINES

CAROLINA CLINCHES  
Carolina’s emphatic 5-2 victory over FTL UTD saw the team become the first to clinch a spot in the inaugural Super League Playoffs. Carolina currently sits atop the table with their eyes on the Player’s Shield.   

APRIL TEAM OF THE MONTH 
The USL Super League unveiled the Team of the Month for April with Spokane’s McKenzie Weinert named the Player of the Month after netting three goals and an assist.  

Read the full Team of the Month here.  

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY 
The final standings are far from set, but what would the playoffs look like if they were to start today? Find out who would be in and who’s on the bubble here.  

Additionally, here is a refresher on the Playoff structure, dates and end of year awards.  

EVERY MINUTE 
Going into the final month of the regular season four players have played every minute for their club: 

• Allison Pantuso, BKN – 2250 minutes  
• Taylor Porter, CAR – 2250 minutes 
• Amber Brooks, DAL – 2160 minutes 
• Sarah Clark, SPK – 2160 minutes

2025 USL W LEAGUE SEASON KICK OFF 
The 2025 USL W League season kicks off this weekend, with Cargo Stockton SC taking on Oakland Soul SC Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.  

Both Stockton and Oakland have alumni competing in the inaugural Super League season. Notably, Gianna Gourley, who has scored five goals for DC Power, and Sydney Shepherd has four goals for Lexington SC.  

Four USL Super League clubs will field a W League team this season: 

• Carolina Ascent FC 
• Fort Lauderdale United FC 
• Lexington SC 
• Sporting JAX

DISCIPLINE REPORT – WEEK 31

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

LEAGUE LEADERS – WEEK 31

GOALS:

• Mia Corbin (CAR) – 12 goals 
• Allie Thornton (DAL) – 11 goals 
• Addie McCain (FTL) – 10 goals 
• Natasha Flint (TB) – 9 goals 
• Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 9 goals  
• Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (TB) – 8 goals 
• Carlee Giammona (TB) – 7 goals 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 7 goals 
• Madison Parsons (LEX) – 5 goals  
• Luana Grabias (BKN) – 5 goals 
• Audrey Harding (CAR) – 5 goals 
• Gianna Gourley (DC) – 5 goals 

ASSISTS:

• Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 6 assists 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 6 assists 
• Madison Perez (LEX) – 5 assists  
• Madi Parsons (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 5 assists 
• Shea Moyer (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Audrey Harding (CAR) – 5 assists 
• Mackenzie Pluck (BKN) – 4 assists  
• Mackenzie George (BKN) – 4 assists 
• Taylor Porter (CAR) –  4 assists 
• Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4 assists 

CLEAN SHEETS:

• Madison White (DAL) – 9 clean sheets  
• Hope Hisey (SPK) – 8 clean sheets 
• Meagan McClelland (CAR) – 6 clean sheets 
• Cosette Morche (FTL) – 5 clean sheets  
• Samantha Leshnak Murphy (CAR) – 5 clean sheets 
• Ashley Orkus (TB) – 5 clean sheets 
• Morgan Aquino (DC) – 5 clean sheets 

MILESTONES

HAT TRICKS:

• DAL – Allie Thornton (09.13.24)
• FTL – Addie McCain (09.22.24)
• BKN – Luana Grabias (11.13.24)

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) 
• SPK – Emina Ekić (04.16.25) 
• CAR – Eli Hutchinson (04.19.25) 
• SPK – McKenzie Weinert (4.26.25) 
• CAR – Aubrey Harding (4.26.25) 
• CAR – Mia Corbin (4.26.25)