Carolina Ascent yet to climb after winter break

STEVE GOLDBERG

Riley Parker celebrates after scoring for Charlotte Ascent in their 2-1 loss to Lexington SC Feb. 7, 2026, in Charlotte. The Ascent are fourth in Gainbridge Super League with a 5-6-5 record.

It may be unfair to keep comparing this season’s Carolina Ascent team to the squad that proved best in show in Gainbridge Super League’s inaugural campaign, but it’s also inevitable.

The bar was set high, and it will be frustrating until they are at that level once again. A 2-1 loss to Lexington SC last week in the home opener of the season’s second half did nothing to alleviate the angst. 

“I think it was a massively disjointed performance from us,” coach Philip Poole said. “We never really got anything going. It was a pass or a shot or something here and there, but we could not sustain anything.”

The 11-game unbeaten streak that the Ascent began their history, and the league’s, with last season is long-gone now as Lexington (7-0-9) has yet to lose this season. Without a win in their last four matches – three losses and a draw – Carolina is fourth in the GSL with a 5-6-5 record.

Their 20 points are just one ahead of fifth-place Spokane Zephyr FC, who come to Charlotte for a Valentine’s Day matinee match. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

What went right

The Ascent found the net first against Sporting JAX last week, with a Riley Parker goal in the 36th minute. It was the culmination of several chances Parker got in the first half as she repeatedly found herself in good position in the offensive third, and her teammates, especially Mia Corbin, kept finding her with the ball. 

Corbin won the ball off Lexington defender Alyssa Bourgeois near midfield, took it down the left and crossed it to the middle where Mackenzie George let it go to Parker, who picked it up about 8 yards outside the penalty area and drove with it towards the left post for about 20 yards before firing it left-footed past a sprawled Kat Asman from the corner of the 6-yard box.

After not scoring in their three previous games, there was an explosive release of pent-up frustration from Parker – it was her first goal of the season – as well as her teammates. 

“We’ve been creating so many chances all season and we just need to start putting them away,” she said. “It would have been much nicer to be walking away with the 3 points. It is funny because this morning I woke up and felt like I was gonna score, so to actually do it felt really good.”

Striker Ava Cook made her first appearance, coming on for Parker in the 74th minute, and showed glimpses of what she can add to the team's offense with her physicality in the box, and a nice setup pass for a Lily Nabet shot.

What went wrong

That joy lasted but seven minutes as Lexington equalized on the most uncharacteristic mistake the Ascent have made in one and a half seasons. Bourgeois, near the right touchline, launched the ball into the Ascent penalty area from about 40 yards out. Meagan McClelland, the GSL Golden Glove winner last season, came off her line as the ball screwballed left to right before coming down just outside the 6-yard box. As

McClelland came for the ball, Lexington striker Catherine Barry, tightly marked by Taylor Porter, ran across her path, and the distraction was enough to throw the goalkeeper off. The ball bounced underneath her, and Jenna Butler was unable to clear it off the line. 

With two minutes left in the first half, it was a crushing equalizer. 

Just seven minutes into the second half, Carolina lost possession at midfield with the ball ending up on the foot of Barry, who played through to McKenzie Weinert between Ascent defenders. She accelerated and scored in the bottom right corner for her fifth goal of the season. 

It was Carolina’s first-ever loss to Lexington after two wins and three draws.

“There were moments that we broke them down, but there were a lot of moments that I think we could have been more patient and kept the ball,” Nabet said. I think last weekend, we had a little bit more patience and kept the ball well, and this game, there was not much of that.”

What next

The Ascent must come out of the gate with pride and intent, be far more focused on their touches inside the final third, and score when they get a chance. On defense, they must keep their shape and connection to thwart Spokane’s offense, which was shut out in a 3-0 by Jacksonville on Wednesday.

The Zephyr, who put 3-of-13 shots on target in that match, are last in the GSL in goal conversion rate (11%), but the Ascent are barely ahead at 12%. The two teams are fairly even in goals scored (Carolina 20, Spokane 17) and goals conceded (21-20). The Zephyr have five clean sheets to just three for the Ascent.

Comments