Carolina Ascent look for home date in Super League playoffs

CAROLINA ASCENT

The Carolina Ascent need to erase a two-point deficit to Lexington over the final pair of matches in order to earn a home date in the Gainbridge Super League playoffs.

On Kentucky Derby weekend, the nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League finally drew even on matches played. 

It’s an opportunity to see what the final two matches mean for the Carolina Ascent and their chances to claim some hardware for the second consecutive season. Sporting Jax’s win on Wednesday night over DC United put the league leaders at 53 points (16-6-5), two more than what the Ascent can max out if they win their final two matches.

The Ascent sealed their playoff spot with their 2-1 win over Tampa Bay on April 25. But, with only four teams involved, they must finish in the top two to assure at least one home game. 

The defending regular season champions from the league’s debut campaign are currently third (13-7-6, 45 points), eight points behind Sporting but two shy of second place Lexington SC (12-3-11, 47), which is now their focus.

So, there’s a chance

What that means mathematically is that there’s still an opportunity for the Ascent to jump past Lexington and host a semifinal match at American Legion Memorial Stadium. But to do that will require some results beyond their control. The regular season finale with Sporting Jax in Charlotte on May 16 could be played with that prize on the line.

Leaping Lexington

Jacksonville, Lexington, and Carolina have all guaranteed a playoff spot. Sporting have also confirmed a home semifinal as they cannot finish below second. Whoever finishes first will face the survivor of Dallas Trinity ( 9-10-7, 34 points), DC Power (8-10-9, 33), and Spokane Zephyr (8-9-9, 33). 

To claim second, here’s what has to happen. Foremost, the Ascent must beat Ft. Lauderdale (5-13-8) on the road next Saturday. 

In case you’re wondering, goal differential is not on the Ascent’s side, so finishing level with Lexington on points won’t work. It’s the first tiebreaker for teams level on points so their plus-7 in that column is far behind Lexington’s plus-23.  

Lexington sits on 47 points going into the last two matches. For the Ascent to stay ahead of the Bluegrass girls, they will need them to drop points at home against Brooklyn (6-12-8) on May 10 and/or Tampa Bay (5-12-9) on the final game day. With Lexington’s 12 wins more than the combined 11 of those two teams, that may be a big ask. 

But it’s not impossible. Lexington announced last week the transfer of Emina Eki? to the Houston Dash of the NWSL for an undisclosed league-record fee. The 2024/25 Gainbridge Super League Player of the Year departs the league having recorded 12 goals and 10 assists over two seasons. For Lexington, Eki? had two goals and four assists in 20 appearances this season.    

Honors

Jill Aguilera and Sydney Martinez were both named to the GSL Team of the Month for April as the club won all four games, extending an unbeaten streak of nine wins and one draw since Feb. 21. 

Martinez made 16 saves, at a percentage of 88.9%, recordrd two shutouts while conceding only twice in four appearances to post a minus-2.44 goals prevented mark, the lowest among Super League goalkeepers for the month. She now has six clean sheets since taking the starting spot from Meagan McClelland, who has three shutouts to her credit.

Aguilera scored twice, and added an assist while reasserting why she was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, winning 12 duels at a 70.6% success rate, and recording nine recoveries and 15 clearances in three matches. 

Aguilera also recorded her 10th assist across two regular seasons in the victory against Tampa Bay last time out. The Puerto Rico international is the fourth player to reach 10 regular season assists, joining Ascent teammate Audrey Coleman, Dallas Trinity’s Chioma Ubogagu and 2024-25 Super League Player of the Year Emina Ekic.

Also the 2024-25 Super League Golden Playmaker, Aguilera reached the mark in her 53rd regular season game. She is also the league’s all-time leader with 95 chances created, while recording a mark of 11.8 expected assists individually, also a league-best.

Talking after the win over Tampa, head coach Philip Poole spoke about her calm under pressure. 

“We value Jill so highly on and off the pitch,” he said. “A week ago, she played in front of 20,000 in Mexico and then this week, she takes her 96th minute penalty to win a game with the weight of the world on her back. I couldn’t be prouder of her, really happy for her and that is what Jill’s all about. She thrives under that pressure.”

Poole earned his second consecutive Coach of the Month award after leading his team to a second consecutive undefeated month in which the side took victories in all four games while posting while posting a +4-goal differential. 

Jenna Butler, who scored the first goal in the 2-1 win over Tampa Bay, was named to the Team of the Month bench.

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