The USL Super League announced the Team of the Month for August on Thursday, with Tampa Bay Sun FC goalkeeper Ashley Orkus chosen as Player of the Month after recording 13 saves and a shutout in the club’s two matches during the month.
Orkus’ 13 saves lead the league and are more than double the second-most (6) through the first three weeks. The three-time SEC Goalkeeper of the Year recorded her first clean sheet on August 24 against DC Power, where she made seven saves. The biggest moment of the match came in the 89th minute when Orkus denied a penalty kick to preserve the shutout and the point in the scoreless draw.
GK: Ashley Orkus, Tampa Bay Sun FC – Orkus has been a game changer for Tampa early this season. The 25-year-old recorded 13 saves in the first two matches, including a late penalty save against DC Power to maintain the shutout and earn a point.
D: Vicky Bruce, Carolina Ascent FC – Along with scoring the league’s first goal in its inaugural match, Bruce has averaged 93.5% passing accuracy while playing all 180 minutes in Carolina’s first two matches. The defender has also recorded five clearances, five interceptions and won all five duels.
D: Brooke Hendrix, Tampa Bay Sun FC – Hendrix has been a cornerstone in Tampa Bay’s defense, recording 10 clearances and 101 successful passes in the Sun’s two matches. She also scored the equalizer against Dallas to secure a point in the team’s home opener.
D: Abbey-Leigh Stringer, DC Power FC – Stringer leads the league with 144 passes made after two matches for Power FC. The defender made six clearances, won 5 of 8 duels and recorded one tackle to earn the team’s first clean sheet against Tampa Bay.
D: Laveni Vaka, Fort Lauderdale United FC – The Tongan international helped Fort Lauderdale earn a point on the road against Spokane by recording five clearances and one tackle and completed 85 passes at a 91.8% passing accuracy rate.
M: Emina Ekić, Spokane Zephyr FC – The Bosnian international scored the club’s first goal from the penalty spot during opening weekend while also winning 8 of 13 duels and four tackles.
M: Cori Sullivan, Lexington SC – Sullivan was strong on both sides of the ball in Lexington’s opener against Carolina. On the defensive end, she recorded two tackles, one clearance and one interception, while also hitting two shots on target and creating two chances.
M: Chioma Ubogagu, Dallas Trinity FC – The English international was crucial in Dallas’ attack against Tampa Bay, as she recorded the assist from a corner on the opening goal. Ubogagu also won 5 of 7 duels and two tackles during the match.
M: Felicia Knox, Fort Lauderdale United FC – Knox’s tenacity in the midfield earned her the assist on the equalizer in Fort Lauderdale’s opening match against Spokane, and she recorded six tackles and four interceptions.
F: Mia Corbin, Carolina Ascent FC – Corbin’s stunning second-half strike rescued a point on the road against Lexington for Carolina to keep the team at the top of the table. The forward also created four chances and won 6 of 10 duels.
F: Allie Thornton, Dallas Trinity FC – Thornton forced big saves out of Tampa Bay in their matchup last month, where she had 2 of 3 shots on target. She also recorded an interception and created two chances in the final third.
Coach: Philip Poole, Carolina Ascent FC – Poole guided Ascent to the only win out of the five matches in August, and the team remains at the top of the standings heading into September.