Carolina Ascent FC

REWIND: WEEK 34 NOTES

DC 1 – 1 FTL

• GOALS:
  • Loza Abera (DC) 45’ 
  • Sabrina McNeill (FTL) 83’ 
• STORYLINES:
  • GOALS: Loza Abera scored her fourth goal of the season, all of which were at home, while Sabrina McNeill scored her first. 
  • SCORING STREAK: DC Power has scored in four consecutive games, tying its record for the season. Fort Lauderdale has scored in six straight. 
  • HOME & AWAY: Following this match, FTL UTD had a 5-4-4 record at home and 5-4-4 record on the road. 
• QUOTES:
  • DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana: 
    • Overall thoughts following the team’s last home match of the season… “Of course, a win for the last home game would’ve been great for us. It’s disappointing not to have that, but very proud of how the players performed and how our staff prepared. Once again, we got our tactics right and got our execution just about right. We limit the mistakes and maybe we see three points.” 
  • DC scorer Loza Abera: 
    • On what led to her goal… “We kept the ball and played side-to-side. We created some chances and that helped us to score the goal.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Tyrone Mears: 
    • On the draw and moving forward… “Very good reaction from the team to come away with 4 points on the road. Very challenging with the travel, and DC fully rested for over a week, but it now sets up our last home game against Dallas on Saturday as a huge game, as Dallas is one of the teams we’re battling for a playoff spot. They’re a team that won’t have played for two weeks, and it’s a relatively quick turnaround for us. We know 3 points keeps us in control going into the last game, so the players will be full of energy.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale scorer Sabrina McNeill: 
    • On scoring her first goal… “I honestly just felt an overwhelming amount of joy, and it was kind of like a ‘hard work paid off’ type of moment, and it was surreal. I almost cried, but it was a really good feeling. I was just happy, honestly, to get a result for the team because we deserved it. I know we’ve missed our chances, but I just wanted to put one in the back of net because we’ve worked too hard for, again, the results not to be showing on the scoreboard.” 

BKN 0 – 0 CAR

• GOALS:
  • N/A
• STORYLINES:
  • ELIMINATED: With the result, Brooklyn was eliminated from playoff contention. 
  • SCORELESS: Brooklyn became the first team to hold Carolina scoreless since March 15. Carolina averaged over 3 goals per game in the seven matches since then. 
  • NIL-NIL: Saturday’s match was the first scoreless draw since March 22 (FTL v SPK). All of the 32 matches between them had at least one goal. 
  • CLEAN SHEET: Brooklyn goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg recorded her first clean sheet in her debut with the team. She made three saves in the match. 
• QUOTES:
  • Brooklyn goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg: 
    • On the team’s performance in the second half… “We had a lot of great opportunities on set plays, which got a little bit unlucky. And I think our defense did a great job of working out of the back and taking advantage of the space and the flanks in the second half, we just took better advantage of just where the spaces were to play, and we made some adjustments at halftime that helped.” 
  • Brooklyn defender Leah Scarpelli: 
    • On playing against the top team in the league… “Honestly, just being confident, confident in what we can do as a team. I think, yes, Carolina is on top of the table, but individually, I think we all know that we are just as good as them in every position. Just matters who shows up that day. And I think we did show up, didn’t get the result that we really needed or wanted, but I think we showed up and we were the better team today, for sure.” 
  • Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole: 
    • On neutralizing Brooklyn… “I think, in particular in the first half, we were very dominant in possession. And Brooklyn is a good team, got some good individual defenders. So, we knew we were going to have to possess the ball and create opportunities. I think overall 60/40 in possession is a positive number…We knew that Brooklyn would have to gamble, they’d have to roll the dice a little bit, and we knew would have to stand up and we did.” 
  • Carolina forward Riley Parker: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “We knew it was going to be a battle with playoffs on the line for Brooklyn. Getting a shutout is always nice, but the tie also highlighted a few areas we can sharpen up heading into our final regular season game and playoffs.” 

FTL 1 – 0 DAL

• GOALS:
  • Kiara Locklear (FTL) 26’, Sh’Nia Gordon assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • GOAL + ASSIST: Kiara Locklear scored her fifth goal of the season, and Sh’Nia Gordon recorded her third assist. 
  • CLEAN SHEET: Goalkeeper Cosette Morché recorded her seventh clean sheet of the season. 
  • SCORING STREAK: FTL UTD has now scored in seven consecutive matches for the third time this season. 
  • LOSING STREAK: Dallas has lost three matches in a row for the first time this season. 
• QUOTES:
  • Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Tyrone Mears: 
    • On the result… “It was all about the energy today. It was all about the togetherness, that’s what we spoke about, and they gave everything today. There was one clear winner. And we need that for the last game.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale scorer Kiara Locklear: 
    • On her game-winning goal… “It’s a team effort. Comes from Sh’Nia making a selfless ball, and us, honestly, more than two people, it’s a team effort. And I think today, we came out with a different attitude. We weren’t just fighting to win; we were fighting for a playoff position, and that’s what helped secure the win.” 
  • Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “I’m proud of the fight shown tonight by the team. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we still control our own destiny. A win next week gets us into the postseason, and we’ll be ready.” 
  • Dallas forward Allie Thornton: 
    • On the team’s mindset moving forward… “It’s a tough result, but we’re not out. This week will be all about focus, hard work, and leaving everything out on the training pitch. We know what’s at stake, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got to make our way into the playoffs.” 

TB 2 – 0 DC

• GOALS:
  • Sydny Nasello (TB) 22’ 
  • Cecilie Fløe (TB) 53’, Tash Flint assist. 
• STORYLINES:
  • GOALS + ASSIST: Sydny Nasello scored her fourth goal of the season, and Cecilie Fløe scored her team-leading eleventh goal. Tash Flint recorded her second assist. 
  • SERIES RECORD: Tampa Bay finished undefeated (3-0-1) against DC Power this season. 
  • HOME RECORD: Tampa Bay finished with the best regular season record at home (8-2-4). 
• QUOTES:
  • Tampa Bay Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown: 
    • On the team environment… “For us, it’s peaking at the right time. And the women are really coming together and doing what we’re asking them to do. And I think they’re enjoying one another. And I think that means a lot to the environment. I mean, it’s a long season, and if you still like each other and you want to be together, it’s going to really help us in these last couple weeks.” 
  • Tampa Bay midfielder Jade Moore: 
    • On clinching home field advantage… “We’ve hit playoffs, and now we’ve got home field advantage, so we need to celebrate that. I think, obviously, football moves on very quickly, so sometimes it is about staying in the moment, and actually enjoying our successes—but then, as the week turns over, we have a new focus. And the new focus is: let’s go one game at a time, one training session at a time, and build on that.” 
  • DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “It was a tough game. The players tried their best, we just came up second best tonight. We seemed a bit tired, and they seemed more fresh and more energetic than us. Sometimes that’s part of the game.” 
  • DC goalkeeper Morgan Aquino: 
    • On the team’s progress since the start of the season… “It’s just about controlling what we can control. Also knowing that we have to forget about the things we can’t control and put on a performance each week for each other that we’re proud of.” 

WEEK 35 SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 31st 
Lexington SC v DC Power FC, 7 p.m. ET 
Dallas Trinity FC v Carolina Ascent FC, 8 p.m. ET 
Spokane Zephyr FC v Fort Lauderdale United FC, 9 p.m. ET

WEEK 35 STORYLINES

SEMIFINAL HOSTING 
With the win against DC Power last week, Tampa Bay Sun FC clinched the No. 2 seed and will host the first semifinal match on Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Riverfront Stadium. Tampa Bay had the best home record (8-2-4) in the league this season. 

PLAYOFF PICTURE 
Brooklyn FC was eliminated from playoff contention last week, leaving Spokane Zephyr FC, Dallas Trinity FC and Fort Lauderdale United FC in the running for the final two playoff spots.  

Dallas needs a win to clinch a playoff berth. Fort Lauderdale needs just a draw to clinch a playoff berth. Spokane is guaranteed a berth with a win vs. Fort Lauderdale or a Dallas draw/loss. 

GOLDEN RACE UPDATES 
The Golden Boot, Golden Playmaker and Golden Glove races are tight between three players for each that will be determined this Saturday. 

Boot: Allie Thornton (DAL) – 12 goals; Mia Corbin (CAR) – 12 goals; Emina Ekić (SPK) – 10 goals 

Playmaker: Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7 assists; Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 6 assists; Emina Ekić (SPK) – 6 assists 

Glove: Meagan McClelland (CAR) – 0.97 GAA; Hope Hisey (SPK) – 1.0 GAA; Madison White (DAL) – 1.04 GAA 

EVERY MINUTE 
Four players have played every minute of the regular season so far: 

• BKN: Allison Pantuso – 2520 minutes (played every minute) 
• CAR: Taylor Porter – 2430 minutes 
• DAL: Amber Brooks – 2430 minutes  
• SPK: Sarah Clark – 2430 minutes  

INTERNATIONAL CALL UPS 
14 Super League players were called up to their respective national teams to represent their countries for the May FIFA international window: 

• CAR: Kathrynn González, Dominican Republic  
• DAL: Sealey Strawn, USYNT 
• DAL: Deb Abiodun, Nigeria  
• DC: Morgan Aquino, Australia  
• DC: Claire Constant, Haiti 
• DC: Charlie Estcourt, Wales 
• DC: Jennifer Cudjoe, Ghana 
• DC: Amber DiOrio, Puerto Rico  
• LEX: Emma Johnson, USYNT 
• LEX: NaYeong Shin, South Korea 
• LEX: Grace Wisnewski, New Zealand  
• SPK: Riley Tanner, Panama 
• SPK: Sophia Braun, Argentina  
• TB: Sydney Schneider, Jamaica  

WEEK 35 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the USL Super League’s discipline report for Week 35 of the 2024/25 USL Super League season: 

The following players enter their upcoming matches one caution away from their eighth yellow card of the season, resulting in a fine. 
 
– DC Power FC (1): Claire Constant 
– Fort Lauderdale United FC (1): Kiara Locklear 

LEAGUE LEADERS – WEEK 35

GOALS:

• Mia Corbin (CAR) – 12 goals 
• Allie Thornton (DAL) – 12 goals 
• Cecilie Fløe (TB) – 11 goals 
• Addie McCain (FTL) – 10 goals 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 10 goals 
• Natasha Flint (TB) – 9 goals 
• Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 9 goals  

ASSISTS:

• Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7 assists 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 6 assists 
• Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 6 assists 
• Madison Perez (LEX) – 5 assists  
• Madi Parsons (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Shea Moyer (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Audrey Harding (CAR) – 5 assists 
• Mackenzie George (BKN) – 5 assists 

CLEAN SHEETS:

• Madison White (DAL) – 9 clean sheets  
• Hope Hisey (SPK) – 9 clean sheets 
• Cosette Morché (FTL) – 7 clean sheets 
• Meagan McClelland (CAR) – 6 clean sheets 
• Samantha Leshnak Murphy (CAR) – 5 clean sheets 
• Ashley Orkus (TB) – 5 clean sheets 
• Morgan Aquino (DC) – 5 clean sheets 

REWIND: WEEK 33 NOTES

DC 1 – 2 SPK

• GOALS:
  • Emina Ekić (SPK) 65’, Natalie Viggiano assist. 
  • Madison Wolfbauer (DC) 74’, penalty. 
  • Emina Ekić (SPK) 84’. 
• STORYLINES:
  • ON A ROLL: Spokane extended its undefeated streak to four matches, moving up to third place in the standings for the first time this season. 
  • ANOTHER BRACE: Ekić recorded her third brace of the season, the first player to achieve that feat. She now sits tied for third-most in the league with 10 goals. 
  • GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS: With her two goals from the night, Ekić now leads the league in goal contributions with 16 (10g/6a). 
  • FROM THE SPOT: Wolfbauer scored her third goal of the season. All three of her goals came from the penalty spot in matches against Spokane. 
  • ASSIST: Viggiano recorded her first assist of the season less than a minute after entering the match. 
• QUOTES:
  • DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana: 
    • On the team’s overall performance… “For the team, it wasn’t for the lack of trying. I’m still proud of what they were able to do out there. The resiliency again to fight back from being down one. We’ll go back and look at film and see exactly what went wrong, what needs to improve and try to build on the things we did well.” 
  • DC scorer Madison Wolfbauer: 
    • On how her equalizer propelled the team… “Them missing the penalty kick gave us that momentum and us making the penalty kick. We really do thrive off that as a group and I think if you look at the last couple of games we’ve really come together as a team. We’re feeding off each other’s energy and momentum and you can feel it.” 
  • Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “I’m proud of how our players handled adversity this week and throughout the match. From the rain, to the emotional swings of missing a penalty and then conceding one, they stayed locked in and found a way to win. It wasn’t always pretty, but they continue to rise to the challenge and take care of the opponent in front of them.” 
  • Spokane forward Natalie Viggiano: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “Super happy to get 3 points and continue our chances of making the playoffs. Proud of this group for battling it out on the road and excited to close out the regular season back at home.” 

LEX 0 – 1 FTL

• GOALS:
  • Jennifer Aalbue (LEX) 17’, own goal. 
• STORYLINES:
  • SNAPPED THE STREAK: Fort Lauderdale ended its six-match winless streak and earned its first win since March 15. 
  • CLEAN SHEET: Goalkeeper Cosette Morché recorded her sixth clean sheet of the season. 
• QUOTES:
  • Lexington goalkeeper Sarah Cox: 
    • On overall thoughts on the team’s performance… “I think a big positive for us was the fact that we were able to fight for ninety minutes. And I think in the spells where we were able to keep the ball and pass it around and switch the point of attack, I thought we were really successful.” 
  • Lexington midfielder Libby Moore: 
    • On what the team did well… “We were high pressing today, which is something we’ve been working on recently. And we had a lot more success winning the ball up the field and communication between the lines. Something we’ve been working on to stay compact, and I thought we did a better job of that and got a lot of offsides from that.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Tyrone Mears: 
    • On the result and quick turnaround… “Tonight’s result was an important step forward, and we’re looking for this win to mark the beginning of a strong momentum shift. As we head to D.C. on a short turnaround, our focus is on maintaining our standards, managing recovery effectively, and continuing to build consistency in our performance. Securing points on the road is never easy, but the group is clear on the demands and ready for the challenge ahead.” 
  • Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Cosette Morché: 
    • On the result and the feeling in the locker room… “Great team win tonight, I’m really proud of the girls. I think we’re gonna come out of this with a smile on our face and we’re gonna be ready to prove that we deserve to be in the playoffs. I think we’re going to go into the game in DC in a couple of days really excited, motivated, and ready to win.” 

CAR 1 – 1 TB

• GOALS:
  • Eli Hutchinson (CAR) 2’, Jill Aguilera assist. 
  • Cecilie Fløe (TB) 23’. 
• STORYLINES:
  • CLINCHING: With the result, Carolina clinched the Players’ Shield and hosting during the playoffs, while Tampa Bay also secured a playoff berth. 
  • GOALS: Fløe scored her tenth goal of the season, tying for third-most in the league. Hutchinson also scored her fifth goal of the season, tying for second-most on the team. 
  • PLAYMAKER: Aguilera recorded her league-leading seventh assist of the season. 
  • SERIES: Tampa Bay finished with a 2-0-2 record against Carolina this season, finishing as the only team the Ascent did not defeat all year. 
• QUOTES:
  • Carolina Head Coach Philip Poole: 
    • On claiming the Players’ Shield… “I think the first step is claiming the regular season, which I’m proud of the players. So I’m proud of the players, proud of the owner, proud of the staff, proud of the front office, everyone plays their part. 
So that’s been huge for us. But I said it before, to bring the home playoff game back here to Charlotte, to the fans, it has been good to us and the supporters have been there for us since day one. It’s been great.” 
    • On the team’s performance… “There were parts of it that were great. We obviously created a lot of chances. 
Tampa came here, very aggressive on the front foot and they did great and it was difficult to deal with, so it was it was a battle. I think we created some chances that we’d like back, but I think there was a really good midfield battle where it was back and forth, so credit to Tampa.” 
  • Carolina captain Taylor Porter: 
    • On clinching home field advantage… “It’s such a huge advantage, but I think it’s something that we’ve worked really hard towards since the beginning of July when we started working towards this. So, we’re really, really excited and super stoked for the fans to come out and support us.” 
  • Tampa Bay Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown: 
    • On overall thoughts on the match… “Carolina’s team has been a strong opponent, and we’ve really appreciated the competitive spirit throughout the series. I’m incredibly proud of our players for showing resilience to earn a draw on the road. We’re a team that continues to show strong depth, with everyone stepping up when called upon. This group plays selflessly, stays focused, and consistently gives their best for each other.” 
  • Tampa Bay scorer Cecilie Fløe: 
    • On the team’s performance… “We should have done better on the goal they scored, but we came back… I just think that we are sticking to our game plan, and we’re doing what we decided to do before the game, and it paid off.” 

WEEK 34 SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 20th 
DC Power FC v Fort Lauderdale United FC, 7 p.m. ET 
Saturday, May 24th 
Brooklyn FC v Carolina Ascent FC, 2 p.m. ET 
Fort Lauderdale United FC v Dallas Trinity FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 
Tampa Bay Sun FC v DC Power FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

WEEK 34 STORYLINES

PLAYOFF PICTURE 
Carolina Ascent and Tampa Bay Sun have both secured a spot in the 2024/25 Super League Playoffs. Brooklyn, Spokane, Dallas and Fort Lauderdale still remain in the hunt for the final two spots. 

GOLDEN RACE UPDATES 
All three end-of-year awards based on regular season stats remain in a tight race. Dallas’ Allie Thornton and Carolina’s Mia Corbin lead the Golden Boot race with 12 goals each, and both have two matches remaining.  

Carolina’s Jill Aguilera has pulled ahead in the Golden Playmaker race with seven assists. Spokane’s Emina Ekić and Dallas’ Chioma Ubogagu are not far behind with six assists each.  

Lastly, Carolina’s Meagan McClelland and Spokane’s Hope Hisey lead the Golden Glove race with a 1.0 goals-against average. Right behind them is Dallas’ Madison White at 1.04 GAA. 
 
THE BEGINNING OF THE END 
Brooklyn and Tampa Bay will play their final two matches of the regular season this weekend. Both matches are of importance as Brooklyn fights to stay in the playoff hunt, and Tampa Bay is on a quest to secure the No. 2 spot and host its semifinal match. 

WEEK 34 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the USL Super League’s discipline report for Week 34 of the 2024/25 USL Super League season: 

Brooklyn FC’s Tori Hansen has been suspended for one game following her red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Spokane Zephyr FC on May 10. Hansen will be unavailable for selection in Brooklyn’s contest against Carolina Ascent FC on May 24. 

Additionally, the following player enters the upcoming matches one caution away from their eighth yellow card of the season and a one-game suspension for caution accumulation. 
 
– DC Power FC (1): Claire Constant 

LEAGUE LEADERS – WEEK 34

GOALS:

• Mia Corbin (CAR) – 12 goals 
• Allie Thornton (DAL) – 12 goals 
• Addie McCain (FTL) – 10 goals 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 10 goals 
• Cecilie Fløe (TB) – 10 goals 
• Natasha Flint (TB) – 9 goals 
• Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 9 goals  
• Carlee Giammona (TB) – 7 goals 
• Jessica Garziano (BKN) – 6 goals 

ASSISTS:

• Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7 assists 
• Emina Ekić (SPK) – 6 assists 
• Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 6 assists 
• Madison Perez (LEX) – 5 assists  
• Madi Parsons (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Shea Moyer (LEX) – 5 assists 
• Audrey Harding (CAR) – 5 assists 
• Mackenzie George (BKN) – 5 assists 

CLEAN SHEETS:

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