WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2026) – Sydney Martinez recorded her third consecutive clean sheet and Tyler Lussi delivered her second straight game-winner as Carolina Ascent defeated DC Power FC 1-0 at Audi Field.
The result marks a third consecutive victory for Carolina, who weathered heavy first-half pressure before seizing control late. Lussi’s 79th-minute breakthrough proved decisive, lifting the Ascent into third place in the Gainbridge Super League standings.
DC came out on the front foot early. In the 6th minute, 15-year-old winger Valentina Perrotta picked out Dasia Torbert at the back post, who finished the chance—but a handball in the buildup kept the match level. The hosts registered three shots inside the opening 10 minutes and continued to apply pressure throughout the first half.
Martinez was called into action repeatedly. After a turnover in the 35th minute, she came up with a crucial point-blank save on Loza Abera from six yards out, quickly recovering to deny Gianna Gourley on the follow-up with a sharp kick save.
Despite being outshot 8-1 and conceding the bulk of possession, Carolina held firm to reach halftime scoreless, allowing head coach Philip Poole to regroup his side for the second half.
The Ascent nearly struck first in the 51st minute. Off a corner, Jill Aguilera’s delivery found Lussi at the back post, but her header was cleared off the line by Emily Colton.
Martinez continued her standout performance in the 62nd minute, reacting quickly to deny Gourley from close range with a strong save on a one-time effort.
As momentum began to shift, Carolina found its breakthrough. In the 79th minute, second-half substitute Audrey Coleman delivered a driven ball across the six-yard box, where Lussi met it with a clinical header for her second goal in as many matches. The assist marked Coleman’s 10th career Super League helper and fifth of the season.
Carolina managed the closing stages professionally, limiting DC’s late chances while maintaining composure in possession. The final whistle confirmed the club’s longest winning streak of the season and extended its unbeaten run against DC Power.
QUOTES
Head Coach Philip Poole on the performance:
“It’s another hard-fought game that is probably the opposite of how our season went early on. It’s a game we’ve won where we scored a great goal, but we’ve seen the opposite side of that. DC were unlucky not to be in the lead in the first half. We weathered the storm, made some changes, and we got the result.”
Poole on the second half turnaround and Lussi’s finish:
“I felt like we we definitely were a lot more effective in the second half. The way we defended was a little more pragmatic. We found Audrey out wide and Audrey does what she does. She beat her player, put a great cross in, and then Tyler’s movement in the box was excellent and it was an unstoppable header. I’m proud of Tyler, scoring two in two, and we just hope that continues.”
Tyler Lussi on the goal and performance:
”Huge team win today, grinding out a 1-0 result. The goal was a great team effort—Shea won the ball and drove forward, slipping a perfect through ball to Audrey. Audrey took on her defender 1v1, beat her, and delivered an excellent ball into the box. I just timed my run and was able to finish it with a header. I’m really proud of the fight from everyone. Audrey made an immediate impact coming in, and Lily and Ava brought great energy and made a big difference as well. Gritty performance all around.”
Sydney Martinez on the team’s play over the last three matches:
”I am so proud of everyone these past games. You can really see how hard we have all been working and things are finally working out for us. This was a good win to create some distance between us and the playoff line.”
