The Sporting Jax women’s team closed out their season on Sunday, May 24, with a 1-0 loss to Carolina Ascent FC in the Gainbridge Super League Semifinals.
Carolina scored in the sixth minute of the game, and the Sporting Jax back line went to work in an effort to keep the game within reach. The Carolina attack continued pressing throughout the first half, but Sporting Jax went into the locker room still down a goal.
Sporting Jax kept up their defensive presence throughout the second half, and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made a series of good saves. Parks was a reliable presence in net during the inaugural season.
Despite trailing, Sporting Jax came out swinging in the second half. Within the first five minutes they sent three shots toward the net. This attack continued through the half including a header by defender Georgia Brown that forced a full-stretch save from Carolina goalkeeper Sydney Martinez.
Sporting Jax was ultimately unable to score the equalizer, but they have a lot to build on next season.
“I think we could all feel some nerves in that first half, myself included, but I think the way we battled that whole second half to try to score was amazing. I think if we can take a little bit of that into next season and remember this feeling, there’s going to be great things for us,” said Sporting Jax forward Paige Kenton.
Sporting Jax captain Sophie Jones said that she was proud of her team for how they worked together this season.
“No one had played together, and so to bring a group that was completely unfamiliar, and to get us to be as cohesive on and off the field is super impressive,” said Jones.
Although losing is never fun, head coach Stacey Balaam said she was encouraged by what she saw from her team.
“This is a hard one to swallow, but I think down the road you’re going to look at the long term and look at what we’ve done. Everybody keeps talking about the first for this club, and I think we can look back and be proud,” she said.
