CHARLOTTE, NC (October 10, 2026) – A dominant performance on the road sees Carolina go eight points clear atop the Gainbridge Super League table as the Ascent defeated the Tampa Bay Sun 3-0 at Suncoast Credit Union Field.
Jill Aguilera and Rylee Baisden both scored just before halftime and Riley Parker added another late as the Ascent exacted revenge for their loss to the Sun in the home opener earlier this season. Sydney Martínez posted her fifth shutout of the season in only eight matches played so far.
The Ascent thought they drew first blood in the 18th minute when they got out in transition against the Sun. Mackenzie George charged down the left flank and cut inside before squaring it to Baisden. Baisden squeaked a sliding one-time finish under Cristina Roque, but the goal was called back for offsides.
A nervy moment occurred for Carolina 10 minutes later when Reese Tappan sent a soft back pass to Martínez. Shea Connors charged Martinez and got a piece of the clearance, but the ball ricocheted out for a goal kick. Shortly after, a turnover in their own third by the Ascent handed Tori Zierenberg a chance from the edge of the box, but Martinez was able to jump up and tip the forward’s shot over.
The Ascent finally broke the ice in the 38th minute. Mia Corbin sent a free kick into the box from the left that found Jenna Butler at the back post who headed it to Shea Groom alone in the middle of the box. Groom sent a rocket on target that forced a reaction save out of Roque, but Aguilera was there to tap the rebound home for a 1-0 lead.
Carolina doubled the lead six minutes later through Baisden. Corbin danced down the left flank and sent a low cross into the box that found Baisden in the middle who beat a Sun defender to the ball to tap it home for a 2-0 lead shortly before half.
The Ascent dominated the run of play for the first 25 minutes of the second half. Although they did not create much danger of their own, they smothered Tampa and hemmed the hosts in their own half with a relentless press and methodical passing when in possession.
The hosts finally got something going in the 73rd minute when a ball popped out to Jordyn Listro just outside of the box in the center. Listro passed it to Jordan Zade on the right corner of the box, who took a dribble before blasting a low-driven shot that Martinez calmly scooped up.
Parker scored just seven minutes later, netting her first goal of the season while pushing the match out of reach in the process. Carolina broke out in transition with Parker leading the charge. Parker played Addisyn Merrick in on the right side of the box, who tried crossing to Audrey Coleman, but the ball bounced off of Coleman and Roque. Coleman recovered the loose ball and played it back to Parker, who blasted it in to go up 3-0.
The Ascent nearly made it four moments after when Emily Morris’ corner found Butler on the six-yard box, but her header was parried away by Roque.
The Ascent now hold a healthy eight point lead at the top of the league table, and return to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Friday, October 16 when DC Power come to town. You can buy your tickets here.
POST-GAME SOUND
Head Coach Philip Poole on the team’s success on the road:
“I think our team enjoys being around each other, at home, in the locker room, and on the road. I think that’s when some of this stuff pays off is that there’s a close-knit nature to this group. I don’t think going on the road is a hindrance. I think they enjoy each other’s company.“
Poole on Mia Corbin’s performance:
“I’ve said for a few weeks now, you can see Corb’s evolving in this deeper position and when you play deeper, it doesn’t necessarily take you away as a threat. You see how dangerous she is on set pieces, but you also see the chances created in some of the key passes. Mia’s gonna continue to evolve in that position, but she played well tonight.”
Mia Corbin on getting revenge for the earlier loss to Tampa:
“I think coming into tonight’s match we weren’t even focused on the loss. Tonight was an opportunity to show everyone we’re here to compete. We’re not worried about the last game or last season. Every game at a time, we want to win and we’re going to do it together. I think we’re all more than pleased with our performance tonight and it’s just a statement that our hard work is paying off.”
Riley Parker on the team having so many different goalscorers:
“Having eight different goal scorers so far this season just comes down to showcasing the quality we have across the team and the trust we have in each other.”
