Been a while since I posted, but let me explain. My wife delivered our second daughter two weeks ago (October 5) and the birth brought with it the usual amount of disruption you have to expect with that sort of thing. So I’m sorry for the lack of writing, blame Ricci Lourdes!

Midweek Ties

We got two matches on the midweek in the Super League. Brooklyn and Carolina made up the scratched Brooklyn home opener on Tuesday. Carolina has been sitting in the top spot since early in the season, but a couple of draws had some questioning if Ascent could hold on for much longer. The match could see a swap in positions, if Brooklyn could win. Of course, Jaydah Bedoyah would put in an opener in the 21st minute. She managed to beat her defender in a straight run up the middle and slotted the ball past Martinez for the go ahead goal. Allison Pantuso would find the equalizer in the second half off a delightful corner kick play that routed through Mackenzie Pluck. Pluck’s cross into the box was perfectly placed and Pantuso headed it into the corner for the draw. Vicky Bruce almost found the winner for the visitors in the 75th minute, but Sydney Martinez made a beautiful diving save to preserve the draw. The match ended as it started with Carolina in first place and Brooklyn in second.

Last night’s match was Dallas Trinity on the road against DC Power. Transparently, I thought this match would be more exciting than what we got. The weather was chilly, most of the players opting for long sleeves under their jerseys, and maybe that slowed the attacks of both of these teams. Dallas had the better of the chances, with Sam Meza taking a couple of long shots that looked dangerous. For DC, Madison Wolfbauer had the play of the night when she took the ball well in her half and slalomed through the Dallas defense, eventually taking a shot that went well-wide of the goal. When I’m highlighting players missing shots, you know it was that kind of night. Match ended 0-0.

Standings

As I mentioned, Carolina continues to sit atop the Super League standings. Brooklyn, Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, and Tampa following. That order could change this weekend with several matchups that could create big changes. Or we could get more draws.

This Weekend

We’ve got two fun matchups this weekend with Lexington traveling to Ft. Lauderdale. FTL is on a three match winning streak and looking confident going into this matchup with the last place Lexington side. HOWEVER, Lex is coming off its first win of the season, on the road over Spokane, so hope springs eternal!

The other match of the weekend is a rematch of Carolina and Brooklyn, this time in Charlotte. If Brooklyn wins this match, it will leapfrog Ascent and take over first place. On the other hand, Carolina could really use the three points and break the current draw-streak it’s on.

- Dan Vaughn