Carolina Ascent players make most of international duty

CAROLINA ASCENT

Carolina Ascent midfielder B Hylton scored her first goal for England's U-20 side in a 1-0 win against the Netherlands March 3 in a U-20 Women's World Cup friendly.

The Carolina Ascent return to the pitch for Gainbridge Super League competition, but five players were busy with national duty during the international break.

Midfielder B Hylton scored her first goal for England’s U-20 team while defender Jill Aguilera continued her tear in Concacaf qualifiers for Puerto Rico and Ascent teammates Sydney Martinez (goalkeeper) and Maria Tapia (forward) added major contributions. Ascent forward Stella Spitzer added a strong out with the United States’ U-16 team.

Hylton had a big three-game stretch for England’s U-20s in preparations for the U-20 Women’s World Cup with a three-match set of friendlies in Alicante, Spain. 

After playing in a substitute role in England’s 3-1 loss to Spain on Feb. 28, Hylton started against the Netherlands on March 3 and scored her first international goal from outside the 18-yard box just before halftime in the Young Lionesses’ 1-0 result. Hylton played 85 minutes. She also started the final match of the trip against Mexico, playing 45 minutes in England’s 4-1 win.

Aguilera tallied five goals over a two-match run in Concacaf qualifying.

She opened with a hat trick and assist in Puerto Rico’s 10- pasting of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Feb. 27. Aguilera continued her form against U.S. Virgin Islands with a pair of goals to bring her tournament total to nine in three matches.

Tapia got scored her first international goal in the 41st minute as well as an assist against USVI in a 9-0 romp to remain first in their group. 

Martinez started in goal and made a save for her second straight clean sheet in all competitions. 

Puerto Rico’s next qualifier is against Mexico on April 18.

United States U-16 forward Spitzer started against Spain and England in the UEFA Development Tournament in Türkiye. The Americans beat Denmark and England in the three-match series. Spitzer, who was a substitute against Denmark, played 147 minutes across the three matches.

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