Carolina Ascent Shake off a Goalkeeper Shakeup for a 1-2 Road Win in Spokane
Goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak Murphy earns Player of the Match honors in her USL Super League debut as the Ascent give the type of dominant performance they'll need more often to win the league.
Editor’s Note: Pick up a print copy of Queen City Nerve - or click here - to read my profile of Carolina Ascent goalkeeper Meagan McClelland.
A shakeup in goal and an opposition penalty kick goal would normally spell trouble for a soccer team, but Carolina Ascent FC overcame both challenges to earn a breakthrough 1-2 road win against Spokane Zephyr FC in Washington State on Saturday night.
After the weekend’s match, the Ascent are currently in third place in the USL Super League, with 28 points from seven wins, seven draws, and four losses. The top four teams at the end off the regular season qualify for the playoffs.
Spokane Zephyr FC v. Carolina Ascent FC
March 8, 2025
One Spokane Stadium
Spokane, Washington
Final Score: 1 - 2
Carolina Ascent Goals
Eli Hutchinson ‘5
Jenna Butler '30’
Spokane Zephyr Goals
Ally Cook 85’ (P)
Player of the Match
Samantha Leshnak Murphy
“I think when you combine the trip, quality players, quality opponent, it’s a great win,” said Ascent head coach Philip Poole in a post-match press release. “I think we definitely should’ve picked up more points in the previous two games so all in all, makes for a better win and a better result.”
After returning from international duty with her first goal for Israel’s national team, midfielder Eli Hutchinson wasted no time against the Spokane Zephyr, finding the net less than five minutes after kickoff off of a Audrey Harding assist. Ascent forward Mia Corbin found Harding on a run, and Harding made a short pass to an open Hutchinson at the corner of the goal box, who had an easy shot to earn her first goal for the Ascent.
“It meant a lot to get my first start and contribute with a goal,” said Hutchinson, who had five previous appearances as a sub for the Ascent. “My teammates have been incredibly supportive and gave me a lot of confidence going into the game, which made a big difference. I’m looking forward to building on this performance and continuing to grow with the team.”
The Ascent maintained constant pressure in the first half, with chances before and after Hutchinson’s goal. It wasn’t long before another Ascent player scored for the first time, with center back Jenna Butler scoring with a header off of a Jill Aguilera set piece.
The successful strike was the first goal of Butler’s professional career, and she became the 11th different player to score for the Ascent this season - a league record shared with the Dallas Trinity.
After the match, Butler credited the team’s defensive work for the win.
“To be on the road playing a late game, staying locked in and defensively solid as a team to come out with the win speaks a lot to the grit and mental fortitude we’re striving for this spring season,” said Butler.
After the match, Zephyr coach Jo Johnson’s assessment of her side was curt.
“Proud of the fight in the second half, but we need to play a full 90,” said Johnson.
Loren Baker, a Zephyr fan who publishes Pacific Northwest Soccer, was disappointed in the result.
“Truth is we got our butt handed to us last night,” wrote Baker on Substack. “Zephyr were fortunate to get a PK in the second half. Didn’t really see any tactical shifts until half time, and then I’m not sure what I saw.”
A Player of the Match Debut
The story of the second half was defensive, with a new goalkeeper earning Player of the Match honors for the team. Recent signing Samantha Leshnak Murphy, a UNC Chapel Hill and NC Courage alum, made her first USL Super League start. Leshnak Murphy made two saves and defended numerous dangerous crosses, keeping a clean sheet in open play.
“Sam was very good in the second half for us,” said Poole. “We knew that were going to have to stand up second half, and Sam along with several other players did….I’m proud of the players. They stood up when they needed to and put in a good hard defensive shift.”
Leshnak Murphy would give up a penalty goal late in the second half to the Zephyr’s Ally Cook. The goalkeeper challenged Cook in the area while both players were chasing a cross from Spokane’s Emina Ekic; Leshnak Murphy’s tackle wasn’t clean and denied Cook a goal-scoring opportunity, though it did not result in a card.
The final minutes were tense, but the Ascent’s defense held on for the win. They’ll continue their road trip on Saturday, March 15 in Tampa Bay and on Sunday, March 23 in Lexington, Kentucky before coming home to American Legion Memorial Stadium to face Dallas Trinity at 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 29.
That home match features Soccer Sheet’s favorite promotion of the year: Pups at the Pitch. Purchase advance tickets here.
Strong Performance Sets Up Competition for Goalkeeper Minutes
The new signing got the start over the Ascent’s #1 goalkeeper, Meagan McClelland, who currently leads the Super League in shutouts, though McClelland was available as a substitute.
The change was not a complete surprise. Prior to the match, the 18th for the Ascent, the team had allowed more goals (9) in the last five games than they had in the first 12. In that period, they had one win, one draw, and three losses after leading the league for most of the season.
McClelland spoke about the poor run of form in Queen City Nerve:
“I don’t think it was anything specific. We had some injuries and fatigue,” said Meagan McClelland. “We’re tired. It’s the end of the season, but I think we’ve kind of learned from that. We’re professionals, this is our job; and we know we can never mentally shut off.”
Additionally, when Leshnak Murphy was first signed in January, Coach Poole stated she would be a serious option for the starting XI.
“Sam comes to us having gained top flight experience in Europe. She will immediately improve our squad and push for minutes,” shared Carolina Ascent FC Head Coach, Philip Poole. “Sam’s connections to the Carolinas as a UNC Tar Heel will allow our fans to connect with her immediately.”
Leshnak Murphy wrote in a social media post after the match that she was grateful to be with the Ascent.
“I’m thankful I can play this game I love,” Leshnak Murphy shared on Instagram. “I was joyous to be in my first game since mid November. The win was a sweet feeling. I’m so proud of the girls and I look forward to the journey ahead.”
Leshnak Murphy’s strong performance and pedigree and McClelland’s league-leading stats so far set up a competition for professional goalkeeper minutes that the Carolinas haven’t seen since Kristijan Kahlina’s back surgery had Charlotte FC testing different options throughout the start of their 2023 season.
Leshnak Murphy doesn’t seem concerned.
“Thank you for the love and support - and all the comments in between,” wrote Leshnak Murphy after the match. “Everyone has an opinion, but when you get the [win], facts and moments become the story anyway.”