September 27, 2024 – USL Super League (USLSL)
Carolina Ascent FC News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Ascent Football Club extended its unbeaten streak to five matches with a 0-0 draw against Tampa Bay Sun FC on Friday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Carolina Ascent FC is back in action on Sunday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m. at Lexington SC. The match can be streamed on Peacock.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Carolina Ascent opened the match pressuring Tampa Bay deep in the Sun’s defensive end.
#9 Mia Corbin had an open dribble through the middle of the pitch in the sixth minute, but she could not capitalize on the opportunity as her shot sailed high. The offensive pressure continued in the eighth minute as #15 Kathrynn González played a through ball to #3 Giovanna DeMarco, but she was just one stride away from getting a touch on the ball.
The hosts held the Sun mostly at bay during the first half. #12 Sydney Studer had a defensive highlight in the 32nd minute as she jumped into a slide to block a cross out of bounds for a corner kick. Just a couple minutes later, #1 Meagan McClelland made a diving save on a long-range shot to keep it level.
Tampa Bay had more offensive pressure towards the end of the first half, but Carolina Ascent stayed strong defensively.
Halftime: Carolina Ascent FC 0, Tampa Bay Sun FC 0.
In the 55th minute, a backwards cross from Harding on the endline found Corbin open in the center of the penalty area, but a Sun player jumped in front of the shot to block it.
McClelland made a clutch diving save in the 63rd minute after a giveaway by the Carolina defense.
Another close chance came for Carolina Ascent in the 70th minute. A cross from #13 Addisyn Merrick passed through the Tampa Bay defense to #14 Taylor Porter. She headed the ball forward for #10 Rylee Baisden, but the Sun goalkeeper forced Baisden’s shot to go over the crossbar.
On the other end, McClelland recorded another crucial diving save in the 74th minute, this time punching the ball out of bounds.
As stoppage time began, Baisden had another dangerous chance. Her shot caused a reaction save from the Tampa Bay goalkeeper. Both teams continued attacking, and McClelland had a quick reaction save with her feet to hold onto the clean sheet.
Fulltime: Carolina Ascent FC 0, Tampa Bay Sun FC 0.
NOTABLES:
Carolina Ascent FC is unbeaten in all five matches this season and has been in first place in the league standings since opening day.
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