Three teams in the hunt for the No. 1 spot | News & Notes Week 26

REWIND: WEEK 25 NOTES

TB 1 – 2 SPK

• GOALS:
  • Taylor Alymer (SPK) 61’ 
  • Natasha Flint (TB) 89’, Erika Tymrak assist. 
  • Ally Cook (SPK) 90+3’, Haley Thomas assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • STOPPAGE TIME: This match was the second-consecutive match that Spokane scored a 90+3’ stoppage time game-winner.  
  • FIRST ASSIST: Erika Tymrak recorded her first assist of the season.  
  • SIX: Natasha Flint recorded her sixth goal of the season.   
  • SNAPPED THE STREAK: Tampa Bay was previously undefeated (4-0-2) in its last six matches at Riverfront Stadium. Spokane became the first road team to win there since September 14. 
• QUOTES:
  • Tampa Bay Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown:  
    • On the team’s progress and performance… “We’ve been working hard as a team, building trust, and staying committed to our process. In many ways, we made progress in this game—we defended set pieces well and capitalized on one ourselves. However, a lapse in focus cost us tonight. With this short break, we’ll regroup, refocus, and come back stronger.” 
  • Tampa Bay goal scorer Natasha Flint: 
    • On what went wrong after equalizing… “When it got to 1-1, we should have just packed the bus and taken the one point, but we went for it, and it didn’t turn out in our favor.” 
  • Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson: 
    • On the team’s win… “What a performance from the team today, from the first whistle to the last. I always say, ‘It takes what it takes’ to win games, and our players embodied that tonight. It wasn’t always pretty, but we did what was necessary to secure all three points.” 
  • Spokane goal scorer Ally Cook:  
    • On scoring the game-winner… “I was so proud of our team fighting for all 90-plus minutes. I knew we were going to be disappointed if we ended in a tie, so it felt so good to get the goal for the team.” 

BKN 0 – 3 DAL

• GOALS:
  • Camryn Lancaster (DAL) 7’ 
  • Allie Thornton (DAL) 19’ 
  • Sealey Strawn (DAL) 58’ 
• STORYLINES:
  • GOLDEN BOOT RACE: Allie Thornton recorded her ninth goal of the season, tying Fort Lauderdale’s Addie McCain for the most in the league. 
  • YOUNG STAR: 17-year-old Sealey Strawn recorded her second goal of the season, tying her for third on the team with four goal contributions. 
  • SHUTOUTS: Brooklyn was held scoreless for the fourth-straight match. 
  • CLEAN SHEET: Dallas goalkeeper Madison White recorded her league-leading seventh clean sheet of the season. 
• QUOTES:
  • Brooklyn Head Coach Jess Silva:  
    • On what’s going wrong for the team… “We haven’t scored goals. So it’s hard to win a match right now. We’re paying for every individual mistake we make. And if you look at today’s game, we dominated most of the game. We played a really good football match from beginning to end, but they scored on us when we committed errors, and we haven’t been able to score.” 
  • Brooklyn defender Kelsey Hill: 
    • On what has changed in the team… “Shutouts were our standard in the first part of the season, and unfortunately, that has not been the case so far. I think kind of like Coach Jess said, there’s some individual mistakes happening that our opponents are taking the opportunities on. So, I think we just need to keep doing the 1% getting better every day and training, and then hopefully the results will start to change.” 
  • Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald:  
    • On playing Brooklyn for the second time this month… “It’s always really difficult when you play a team in back-to-back games, especially after a very successful victory at home. Tonight, we knew that they were going to come after us and it was going to be a very physical game. We wanted to stick by our philosophy in the way that we want to play. In the end, credit to Brooklyn, they continued to try and continued to throw numbers forward. It wasn’t particularly pretty defending from us in moments, but it takes grit, determination and hard work. I’m absolutely delighted.” 
  • Dallas goal scorer Camryn Lancaster:  
    • On the transition from college to the pro level… “I feel like TCU really prepared me for any moment that I’ve faced. Being in the pros now, I’ve only been here for a couple months, but I feel really prepared coming into this with the intensity and speed of play. The girls here have made it easy, and I’m just blessed to be on an awesome first professional team where I’m learning a lot from both the older players and younger players.” 

FTL 0 – 0 SPK

• GOALS:
  • N/A
• STORYLINES:
  • UNBEATEN: Fort Lauderdale is now unbeaten (6-0-3) through nine matches. 
  • FIRST NIL-NIL: This match was the first time that Fort Lauderdale was involved in a scoreless draw this season. It was just the third time the team was held scoreless. 
  • SNAPPED THE STREAK: This draw ended an eight-match streak where FTL had scored at least one goal. 
  • CLEAN SHEETS: FTL’s Cosette Morché and Spokane’s Hope Hisey both recorded their fifth clean sheets of the season. They are tied for third-most in the league. 
• QUOTES:
  • FTL Head Coach Tyrone Mears:  
    • On the teams record and performance… “That makes nine straight unbeaten, which speaks to the resilience of this group. But tonight’s performance wasn’t up to our standard—we expect more from ourselves. We know we’re capable of better. As we head into our fourth matchup with Tampa, especially on the road, we’re looking for a strong response. It’s a great opportunity to reset, raise our level, and show what we’re really about.” 
  • FTL defender Laurel Ansbrow: 
    • On earning another clean sheet… “It’s just a surreal feeling. I think everything happened so fast to get here, but I’m really happy with Fort Lauderdale, and I love the team. I think it’s just a testament to the back line as a whole, and I think it was a really strong performance for this game, last game, and just this whole time I’ve been here. Cosette in goal has made some incredible saves as well, so none of it would be possible without them.” 
  • Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson: 
    • On the positive week her team had… “I’m proud of the team for earning seven out of nine points in a week. It’s a testament to the players’ resilience, focus and commitment to each other.” 
  • Spokane defender Alyssa Bourgeois:  
    • On the team’s grit and resilience… “Unbelievably proud of the team’s performance today. This was our third game in a week and second one on the road. Despite all the obstacles, we didn’t complain—we embraced the challenges and put up a great performance against a talented team. Disappointed we didn’t walk away with all three points, but we’re focused on recovering and getting ready for the next game.” 

DC 1 – 1 BKN

• GOALS:
  • Mackenzie George (BKN) 23’, Grace Phillpotts assist.  
  • Gianna Gourley (DC) 84’, Claire Constant assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • RE-FINDING ITS STRIDE: Brooklyn scored its first goal since February 22, after being shut out the previous four matches. 
  • ASSISTS: Grace Phillpotts and Claire Constant both recorded their first assists of the season. 
  • LEADING SCORERS: Gianna Gourley is now DC’s leading goal-scorer with three goals. Mackenzie George scored her fourth goal of the season, tying Jess Garziano and Luana Grabias for the most on Brooklyn. 
  • SPRING SCORING: DC Power has now scored the same number of goals (7) through its first four spring matches as it did through all 14 matches in the fall. 
• QUOTES:
  • DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana:  
    • On Gourley’s equalizer… “This one happened in transition. We caught their back line playing a little too high and they didn’t do a good enough job of detecting the speed of Gourley. Gourley does what she does best and puts the ball in the back of the net.” 
  • DC goal scorer Gianna Gourley: 
    • On the team’s aggressiveness in the second half… “Power to the team. We really had to dig deep these last few games, and the results haven’t been falling the way we want. Fighting through and not giving up on each other has been huge. We keep fighting and showing up every day.” 
  • Brooklyn Head Coach Jess Silva: 
    • On the toughness of the league and how they will move forward… “We always knew this was going to be a tight league. The second part of the year has been and will continue to be a challenge. Our group is aware and has been playing good football. Hard work eventually pays off, we just have to keep pushing and stick to the process.” 
  • Brooklyn defender Grace Phillpotts:  
    • On her first start and assist… “I was looking for the slotted ball into the box the whole time. I was originally trying to find Dana at the back post, but the goalie did end up getting a hand on it so I’m glad Mackenzie was there to put it in the back of the net. Also, so much credit to Mackenzie for making the play from the beginning to the end.” 

LEX 0 – 4 CAR

• GOALS:
  • Riley Parker (CAR) 2’ 
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) 19’ 
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) 26’, Taylor Porter assist. 
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) 62’, Jill Aguilera assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • FAST FIND: Riley Parker’s goal was scored in one minute and 37 seconds, setting a record for the fastest goal in league history. The record was previously held by Fort Lauderdale’s Jasmine Hamid, who scored in one minute and 49 seconds on December 1, 2024. 
  • BAGGED A BRACE: Audrey Harding recorded her first two goals of the season and Carolina’s second-ever brace. 
  • FIRSTS: Riley Parker recorded her first goal of the season, and Taylor Porter recorded her first assist. 
  • FIVE: Jill Aguilera recorded her fifth assist of the season, tying her for first in the league with Lexington’s Madi Parsons and Maddy Perez. 
  • CLEAN SHEET: The match was goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak Murphy’s first clean sheet of the season and Carolina’s first since November 9. 
  • RECORD-BREAKING: Carolina recorded 24 total shots and 12 shots on target, both are records for most by a team in a single match. 
  • SARAH’S SAVES: Lexington goalkeeper Sarah Cox made eight saves, tying the record for most in a single match. 
  • FOUR GOALS: Carolina’s four goals are the most it has scored in a single match and the second-most scored by a team in a single match in league history. 
• QUOTES:
  • Lexington Interim Head Coach Sam Stockley:  
    • On what the team needs to improve on… “We’ve got to clean up our play and be better in possession. But it’s a work in progress—we knew that.” 
  • Lexington goalkeeper Sarah Cox: 
    • On the team’s performance… “There were moments where we executed well and competed in ways that align with our team goals. I don’t think we did it enough, but it is what it is. We’ll move on, build on this and focus on the next game.” 
  • Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole: 
    • On a team-high four goals scored… “We’ve talked about the fact that if we keep doing the right things, keep working in training, we know at some point some of these chances are going to go in. And despite the four goals, we could’ve had several more. So, we haven’t turned the corner yet. We are going to continue to work.” 
  • Carolina goal scorer Audrey Harding:  
    • On her two-goal performance… “It was great to finally get some goals. Even since the fall, I was super close and then got injured and was out the rest of the Fall Schedule. So, coming back this spring, I had a higher standard for myself because I know what I’m capable of, and I just want to help us win. My confidence is definitely up, and I feel like since getting the goals today, I’ve unlocked the door to more.” 

WEEK 26 SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 29th 
Brooklyn FC v Tampa Bay Sun FC, 6:00 p.m. ET 
Carolina Ascent FC v Dallas Trinity FC, 7:00 p.m. ET 

WEEK 26 STORYLINES

TOP OF THE TABLE 
Two points separate the top four clubs in the league standings. A win for Brooklyn, Carolina or Dallas this weekend could temporarily put the team in the No. 1 spot. A win for Tampa Bay would put the team just a point behind fourth-place Dallas. 

SIX APIECE 
Tampa Bay’s Carlee Giammona, Natasha Flint and Cecilie Fløe have each scored six goals this season. No other club has three different scorers with 5+ goals each. 

UNBEATEN STREAK 
Fort Lauderdale’s draw with Spokane marked its ninth consecutive match without a loss. The team is just two matches away from tying the record set by Carolina Ascent, which started the season unbeaten through 11 matches. 

NEW LEAGUE LEADERS 
Last week, Dallas’ Allie Thornton scored her ninth goal of the season, tying Fort Lauderdale’s Addie McCain for the most in the league. Carolina’s Jill Aguilera recorded her fifth assist of the season, tying her for first in the league with Lexington’s Madi Parsons and Maddy Perez. Lastly, Dallas goalkeeper Madison White earned her league-leading seventh clean sheet. 

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS 
Carolina’s Emily Moxley, who made her debut with the team last weekend, played for the UNC Tar Heels from 2020-2023 alongside Dallas Trinity defender Julia Dorsey. 

Tampa Bay’s Carlee Giammona played at the University of Alabama in 2019 with Brooklyn defender Sasha Pickard, and later transferred to Pepperdine, where she played three seasons with Brooklyn center back Kelsey Hill. 

LOST IN NY 
Brooklyn FC is still searching for its first win of the Spring Schedule after going 0-3-3 in its first six matches of 2025. Brooklyn’s last win was during the Fall Finale when the team handed Dallas its first loss at the Cotton Bowl on December 14.  

DISCIPLINE REPORT – WEEK 26

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

LEAGUE LEADERS

GOALS:

• Addie McCain (FTL) – 9 goals 
• Allie Thornton (DAL) – 9 goals  
• Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 7 goals  
• Mia Corbin (CAR) – 7 goals  
• Carlee Giammona (TB) – 6 goals 
• Cecilie Fløe (TB) – 6 goals 
• Natasha Flint (TB) – 6 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  
• Mackenzie Pluck (BKN) – 4 assists 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 4 assists 
• Shea Moyer (LEX) – 4 assists 
• Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 4 assists 
• Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4 assists 

CLEAN SHEETS:

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