Sporting Club Jacksonville: Player introductions, Super League debut
Sporting Jax players enter the field for the Gainbridge Super League season opener vs. DC Power FC.
Turning point: Sparked by Meg Hughes’ go-ahead goal five minutes into the second half, Sporting Club Jacksonville achieved the first-ever victory for a Northeast Florida professional women’s soccer club, defeating reigning Gainbridge Super League champion Tampa Bay Sun 3-2 on Aug. 30 at Riverfront Stadium in Tampa.
Historic double: Rookie Ashlyn Puerta lit up the evening for Sporting Jax. The former Florida State midfielder penetrated the Tampa Bay defense to set up Julia Lester for the decisive cross to Hughes, then Puerta scored two goals in four minutes off a penalty kick — also the first in club history — and a narrow-angle shot from Jessie Hunt’s assist off a corner.
Defense holds on: Puerta’s second goal brought a 3-0 lead, but it wasn’t over: Tampa Bay clawed back into the contest with goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes from Sandrine Mauron and Carlee Giammona.
Quick free kicks: Head coach Stacey Balaam made two changes to the lineup, with Jamie Gerstenberg taking over from Kaitlyn Parks in the net and Maddie Kemp starting in place of Caroline Murray. … Sporting Jax (1-1-0) shook up its 3-5-2 formation, with Paige Kenton realigning from forward to defense, Lester stepping up to right wingback and Puerta moving up to join Jade Pennock in attack. … Hunt, Andrea Fernandez and Daviana Vaka entered off the bench. … Sporting outshot the Sun 10-8 and controlled 56.5 percent of possession.
Next kickoff: Sporting Jax returns home to meet Dallas Trinity at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.