October 6, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Lexington Sporting Club News Release
Lexington SC midfielder Kim Mendez celebrates her match-tying goal with her teammates
(Lexington Sporting Club, Credit: Tommy Quarles)
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington Sporting Club recorded a 1-1 draw inside Lexington SC Stadium against Carolina Ascent FC Sunday night.
A late equalizer in stoppage time saw the Gals in Green earn their first point in the new Lexington SC Stadium. The result also marked the second point the Greens have nabbed from the league-topping Ascent FC.
“I think we all are so excited to be able to do it here on our home field,” goalkeeper Sarah Cox said. “I think this was one of the first games that it really felt like we played as a team for a whole 90 minutes and I think we really showed a lot of grit being able to come back in that last couple of minutes and get that goal on the corner kick.”
Both teams got off to a slow start, with neither able to make anything happen for the majority of the half.
Lexington’s NaYeong Shin recorded the first shot at all of the contest in the 13th minute as the Greens worked to put together a meaningful opportunity.
Unfortunately for the Greens, the first time they put the ball in the back of the net would not bring about celebration, but rather disappointment as, while trying to make a clearance, Maddy Perez inadvertently recorded an own-goal instead.
The score stood as the only one of the first half, with two Carolina yellow cards being the only things that preceded the halftime whistle.
Back out for the second half, Lexington struggled amidst some rough bumps, which forced two substitutions and made way for the debut of 15-year-old Maci Barlow.
“Macy’s fearless, you would never know that she’s 15 years old,” head coach Michael Dickey said. “It’s amazing to see her in practice with these adults. She gave us energy, she gave us a spark, she works relentlessly, and she’s not afraid. We love having her here and she did a great job. It’s her first time to play in this type of arena, but you can see that she was excited, it didn’t faze her one bit. I’m proud of her, it’s awesome to have a young player like that play a professional game and play like she did. She’s going to be a good player to keep an eye on.”
With few opportunities to create meaningful chances, hope seemed lost as stoppage time arrived and the seconds continued to tick away.
Over 10 minutes into extra time, the Greens found their miracle when Perez made up for her…