Carolina Ascent stretch unbeaten streak to seven matches

CAROLINA ASCENT

Emily Morris' first professional goal lifted Carolina Ascent FC to a 1-0 win against Lexington SC on April 11, 2026. The Climbers moved to within a point of Lexington for second in the Gainbridge Super League table.

Carolina Ascent FC is finding heroes everywhere.

Emily Morris’ first professional goal lifted the Climbers to a 1-0 win last week against Lexington SC to run their unbeaten streak to seven matches. The rookie’s game-winner in the 72nd minute pulled Carolina (11-7-6, 39 points) to within a point of Lexington (10-3-10, 40 points) while pushing the Ascent to their sixth win and a draw in their last seven games.

There was another benefit as well: Carolina, which is third in the Gainbridge Super League table, pulled to within a point of second-place Lexington while denying them a playoff-clinching point.

“Our performance was steely and resilient,” coach Philip Poole said. “We had to be patient. We knew that we didn’t want to concede the middle of the field to Lexington. We wanted to be a little bit better in transition, but all-in-all, we got the goal and we got the shutout and we move on.”

Morris admitted details of the decisive play were hazy once she unleashed a shot from about 30 yards out. Shea Groom laid the ball off to Morris away from congestion in the 18-yard box. Morris took a touch to gain control and fired the ball into the top corner.

“Shea was in the box and the edge of the box was pretty clogged, so I just stayed at the top of the 18,” she said. “I blacked out. My parents were here, my niece was here, so I think to do it in front of them meant a lot.”

Said Poole: “Emily has had a really impactful first season as a pro. I’ve known her through her youth career, and I think it’s cool that I get to coach these kids I’ve known about. Mo’s come in and done great. She has had runs in the team and has had to be patient. She deserves all the parts of the celebrations she’s going to get tonight because honestly, that was a screamer.”

Lexington held the initiative most of the way, but Sydney Martinez made five stops in goal for her fifth clean sheet of the season. After Morris’ goal, Lexington picked up the hunt for the equalizer, but Carolina neutralized explosive attackers Cat Berry, McKenzie George and Addie McCain.

“From the very first day, this group is a winning team, and you can feel it,” Groom said. “You can tell there’s no egos, we show up to training and battle time and time again, and it’s competitive. I’m not sure I’ve actually been in such a competitive environment where it’s like uncomfy because you’ve got to hold it down every week and earn your spot. I’ve loved it.”

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