LEXINGTON, KY (October 10, 2025) – Carolina Ascent and Lexington SC drew 1-1 in a thriller Friday night in Kentucky.
#18 Audrey Harding put the Ascent on top in the 72nd minute, but Lexington’s #18 Addie McCain equalized in the 97th minute to steal points at the end.
The draw does extend Carolina’s unbeaten streak against Lexington to five games.
Last year’s Player of the Year #10 Emina Ekic, now with Lexington after spending the inaugural season with Spokane, nearly gave her squad the lead in the third minute. Slipped through nicely and staring down #1 Meagan McClelland one-on-one, McClelland came up big early with a nice reflex save.
A solo effort from #9 Mia Corbin nearly led to the Ascent breaking the ice. Corbin dribbled through four players and fired on her left foot just wide in the 28th minute.
Another massive chance came a minute later. In-form #31 Mackenzie George beautifully spun her defender and fed Harding in the middle of the box. Harding looked to place it in the corner with a side-footed shot, but just missed the post.
Lexington had the better of the play in the first half of the first 45, but Carolina gained attacking confidence to end the half. Regardless, it remained scoreless at the break.
Right away, another glorious opportunity for the Ascent came. #10 Rylee Baisden completed a give-and-go with Harding. In alone, Lexington goalkeeper #26 Kat Asman made an excellent kick save as Baisden tried to finish at her near post.
On the ensuing corner, the ball bounced out to Harding. Her shot was cleared off the line.
The Ascent continued to tilt the pitch, putting consistent pressure on the hosts. They finally found the back of the net in the 66th minute, but the flag went up in the process.
However, their pressure finally did pay off in the 72nd minute. Baisden worked it to George down the sideline. Her cross deflected off #14 Taylor Porter, off a Lexington defender, and fell to the feet of Harding. Her strike was redirected and wrong-footed Asman.
Carolina Ascent courageously defended in crunch time, throwing their body all over to clear. As time was running out, Lexington tied it. In the 97th minute, a bouncing ball in the box found McCain on the six, who knocked it past McClelland to save a point for the home side.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Philip Poole on the match:
“I’m really gutted for our players. They put their heart and soul into that performance. They did everything they were asked to do and ultimately, fell short in the end. They executed the game plan really well. In that last minute, the ball falls the wrong way and we get punished for it.”
Poole on it being the team’s most complete game this season:
“I think that was the challenge. We’ve had really good spells in every game we’ve played. It was good to be the best team in both halves for in my opinion, the first time this season. It’s been there, it’s just the case of putting it together and doing it for a longer periods than two halves. We had some great chances tonight and on another day, we walk out of there with three points.”
Rylee Baisden on the frustration to not come out with three points:
“It’s obviously difficult coming away with one point instead of three and conceding in extra time. We had a lot of opportunities to put the game away but we are taking the positives from this game into next week. I’m really proud of our group. We never back down from a fight and we are ready to go again next week.”
Audrey Harding on her goal:
“It was great to get on the board for the team considering the chances we had and I had myself all game that should have gone in – so that was a relief to get one. We dominated them the whole entire game and unfortunately, a weird goal happened for them. We just have to be better at closing the game, but I’m super proud of us for how we played and we take a step forward and look ahead to Brooklyn now.”
