DC Power 0-3 Brooklyn FC

Boy, Brooklyn look good (which is a cue for them to misstep, that’s the way this league is) and this match was no exception. Luana Grabias did all the heavy lifting herself, scoring a hat-trick for the visitors and putting this match to sleep in the first half. Her first goal was simply a matter of outworking two defenders and side-stepping the goalkeeper. The second was a nice shot from out wide that beat Aquino into the net. The third was the best bit of individual prowess I’ve ever seen, sliding the ball back and forth and watching defender after defender lunge and miss. And then a beautiful shot into the corner. 4th goal in two matches for the Brazilian.

Brooklyn now top of the table and looks spectacular in the attack. With 4 consecutive wins in their rearview and two more matches to go before the break, they are looking strong.

Lexington 1-1 Spokane Zephyr

What happens when two clubs who are known for giving up late goals to lose matches meet up? A last minute draw, of course!

After the absolute monster Emina Ekić drew and converted a penalty in the first half, it looked like Zephyr would be able to get a much needed 3-pointer on the road. I mean, Lexington is used to choking away match after match in the second half, so being down seemed like a recipe for a loss. But wonder of wonders, in the pouring rain a miracle happened in Lexington. Instead of giving away a goal, Lexington is gifted a howler of a turnover on the right side and Kailey Utley makes a beautiful pass to Marykate McGuire, who shoots from just outside the 18 for the equalizer.

Both teams needed three points and have to settle for one. Hopefully, spring will bring points for both of these squads.

Tampa Bay Sun 2-1 Carolina Ascent

On the Super Show, we kept saying this was coming, thanks to Carolina’s inability to consistently score goals. If you can’t make the numbers move on the scoreboard, someone is going to catch up to you.

Defensive stalwart Vicky Bruce almost started the scoring with a shot that rattled the crossbar early in the first half, but it was not to be. Instead we had a pair of direct goals, the first by Tampa Bay’s Natasha Flint, who scored from a a long pass from Vivianne Bessette down the right. Flint outran her defender and beat the keeper. But soon after Carolina would have a long pass of their own that the usual competent Ashley Orkus misplayed in the box. Rylee Baisden redirected it past a charging Orkus and beat two trailing Sun defenders to score the equalizer.

Two goals in the first half? Why not one more for the homeside!

Sydny Nasello, who has been sneaky good in the connecting in the final third for Tampa, slotted a pass to Carlee Giammona in traffic. Giammona bodied through two defenders before beating McClelland and netting the winner just before half. The second half offered few scoring chances for either side and the Sun manage to see out the win, handing Carolina its first loss of the season.

The Table

We’re a month out of the winter break and Brooklyn has captured the top spot in the standings with their win paired with Carolina’s loss this week. The real story here is the uneven schedule. Due to how the calendar was filled out, while most teams have two matches headed into the final month of the fall season, Dallas and Ft. Lauderdale still have 5 matches apiece. While any Stumptown fan (someone call Kevin the Christmas Tree) can tell you that matches in hand aren’t necessarily wins, both of those teams could make big moves in November/December.

Golden Boot Watch

Fort Lauderdale’s Addie McCain is still on top of the standings and, with 5 more matches to play before the break, could keep piling them up. Maddie Parsons is one back, with an army of players with four behind her.

- Dan Vaughn