Carolina Ascent Back Atop the Table
Carolina Ascent FC leads the USL Super League again as Dallas Trinity FC emerges as their top competitor for the regular season title.
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After experiencing a disappointing end to their fall fixtures, a three-match winning streak has Carolina Ascent FC (10-5-7, 37 points) back on top in the USL Super League.
The squad is back in action tonight at 7:00 PM EDT at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. They’ll take on third-place Brooklyn FC (9-7-6, 33 points), the rare playoff contender with a negative goal differential.
The most recent Ascent win was a 0-1 road victory over DC Power FC (3-11-6, 15 points).
DC Power FC v. Carolina Ascent FC
Tuesday, April 8
Audi Field
Washington, D.C.
Final Score: 0-1
Carolina Ascent FC Goals
Sarah Troccoli 59’ (Assist: Corbin)
Sam’s Player of the Match
Riley Parker
If that scoreline seems familiar, you’re not wrong: the Ascent now have three one-goal wins over the bottom-of-the-table Power this season, including the league’s inaugural match. This time, Carolina’s goal came from Sarah Troccoli off of an assist from Super League Golden Boot and MVP contender Mia Corbin.
“Those three points were huge. DC is always a tough team, but I’m really proud of how we came out tonight and performed, especially defensively,” said Troccoli. “Happy to get these 3 points and look ahead to Brooklyn on Saturday.”
To the Power’s credit, they’re a much-improved side over the team the Ascent faced in the fall. The last meeting between the two teams was a 3-3 basketball-style match at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Additionally, for the second Carolina match in a row, the Power were without captain Claire Constant, who was in Chile on international duty for Haiti.
DC was able to contain Carolina in the first half, despite four on target shots from the Ascent. Aside from the shots and a Troccoli yellow card, it was a sleepy first half at Audi Field.
In the 59th minute, Riley Parker - who had missed a clear opportunity for a goal in the first half - crossed to Mia Corbin, who deflected the ball off her abdomen to Troccoli, who slotted it in goal. Parker rightfully would have thought the assist belonged to her.
It was Troccoli’s second goal of the season - both against DC - and Corbin’s first assist, making Corbin the fourth Super League player - and first on the Ascent - to earn 10 goal contributions on the season.
Despite the absence of co-captain Vicky Bruce at center back due to a leg injury, Carolina’s defense held strong until the final whistle.
“We had some moments in the first part of the season and then one or two moments where we talked about our line and just being on the same page,” said Coach Poole. “I think that defending is as a team thing and defending starts with our forwards and it’s about being on the same page and creating clarity in what we want.”
The 0-1 victory was the third consecutive clean sheet for the Ascent and goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak Murphy.
“I think our backline has focused a lot on the communication piece, listening, and trusting each other,” said Ascent defender Addisyn Merrick. “As a whole, I think we’ve done a better job focusing on the details.”