Lexington 2-3 Dallas Trinity

If Lexington could just petition the Super League to end matches earlier, they’d be in a wildly different spot on the table. But matches go to 90 minutes and Lexington cannot stop giving up goals in the second half. After cruising to a comfortable 2-0 lead on goals from Madi Parsons and Shea Moyer, Lexington looked to be in full control of this match. Sarah Cox was looking impressive in the box, making save after save on shots close and far. But then Cyera Hintzen subbed in for Dallas and the last 10 minutes were a nightmare for the home side.

Trinity scored a series of goals that were, transparently, entirely preventable. Hintzen started the scoring in the 81st minute, when a Cox save turned into a deflection that rolled slowly between two Lexington defenders who ball-watched while the Texas University alum sprinted past and put it into the net for Dallas. From there it went from bad to worse for Lexington, with the two scoring plays in the final three minutes being almost identical. Both times, passes up the right side were reached by Trinity forwards instead of Lexington defenders. Back to back crosses into the box found Danielson and Brian and there was little Sarah Cox could do to stop them.

Lexington has a defending problem. And it seems to get worse when the clock gets closer to 90. It’s a problem that has to be fixed.

Carolina Ascent 0-0 Spokane Zephyr

Spokane is just snake-bit. With Emina Ekić back from international duty, the offense had plenty of chances in this one. Ekić went off the crossbar in the first half in the 38th, after a beautiful crossing pass form Emma Jaskaniec beat everyone. Jaskaniece followed that miss up with a shot of her own off the upright, after beating the keeper in the 39th. Ekić had another beautiful chance just miss wide late in the second half. The shots just weren’t finding the net.

Carolina’s chances were less spectacular and certainly less threatening in this match, but the Ascent managed to get the result they needed to take over first place. The team has made drawing a habit this season, with 6 draws versus 5 wins in their current undefeated pace.

Fort Lauderdale United 1-1 Tampa Bay Sun

Fort Lauderdale continued the goalkeeper merry-go-round, adding Houston Dash loanee Heather Hinz into the mix. She got the start against Tampa. The Sun started their own NWSL loanee, Lauren Kozal, over fan-favorite Ashley Orkus. As we’ve discussed it on the podcast, Super League clubs love to try a new keeper!

The new goalkeeper for FTL didn’t do much to stop the opening goal for Tampa. Simple drive down the left side by Nasello and a quick pass to the middle found Carlee Giammona in the box. Simple as you like, road goal put the visitors up in the 17th. For Fort Lauderdale’s side, Addie McCain had a couple of chances to extend her league-leading goal-scoring, but nothing came of her attempts. Instead, FTL made its fans wait to the literal last minute of injury time to find the equalizer. A long shot into the box from way outside the box by Cameron Brooks was deflected by Kozal into a dangerous area in front of the open net. Anna Henderson wasted no time and hit a messy shot that eventually found the corner of the net, draw at the death.

Midweek Matchups

We have two midweek matches and both have plenty of reasons to watch!

DC Power hosts Brooklyn FC and Brooklyn just needs to take care of business on the road to move into the top spot on the table. A win would also extend Brooklyn’s three-match winning streak. DC Power has two wins in their last four matches, but those are also their only two wins of the season so far.

Lexington gets another chance to take down Spokane Zephyr at home and if we know anything about Lexington, there will be goals. Lexington has struggled to finish matches this season and the return of Emina Ekić to the Zephyr front line should yield results against a porous backline.

- Dan Vaughn