Sporting Club Jacksonville, Jacksonville’s first professional soccer club, had a double header on Saturday, April 25. The Sporting Club Jacksonville women’s team took the field first against Lexington SC at Hodges Stadium.
This season the Gainbridge Super League has largely been dominated by Sporting Jax and Lexington. However, it was Lexington who came out on top this time with a final score of 2-1.
Going into Saturday, the season series was even, with Lexington taking the first meeting and Sporting JAX grabbing a 3-0 win in their last matchup.
Lexington scored first in the 19th minute when midfielder Addie McCain found the back of the net.
Sporting Jax scored the equalizer ten minutes later when midfielder Ashlyn Puerta scored on a penalty kick.
This marked Puerta’s 12th goal of the season, and was a welcome return to the scoring column for the 19-year-old.
“I feel like it was coming for a while. It’s not about the goals for me, as long as the team’s doing well and the team’s scoring, then it’s good,” she said.
Puerta was also voted Player of the Match by the fans.
Lexington ultimately prevailed thanks to a goal from forward McKenzie Weinert.
Sporting Jax head coach Stacey Balaam is thrilled with the progress Puerta has made this season.
“She's contributed in so many different ways. I think she's just showing her worth on the field, whether it's contributing to goals or scoring goals,” Balaam said.
This may be the last meeting between these two teams during the regular season, but they could see each other again next month in the Gainbridge Super League Playoffs.
Balaam firmly believes her team will bounce back quickly and be ready to take on Brooklyn FC next Sunday, May 3 at Hodges Stadium.
“It’s something that I think is a test of the character of this group, but I have no doubt that they're going to respond the right way next week,” she said.
The Sporting Jax men’s team took the field shortly after the women’s game against Miami FC. The men’s team is still searching for their first win of the season as they fell 1-0 to Miami. Sporting Jax is showing important signs of improvement, especially when it comes to possession. They held 57.4% possession throughout the match and controlled many segments of the match.
Sporting Jax recorded 13 touches inside the opponent’s box, 18 crosses and 66 passes in the final third. As chemistry continues to build within the roster, head coach Liam Fox will be looking for these chances to continue and lead to goals.
The men’s team will return to Hodges Stadium on May 27 to take on San Antonio FC.
