JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Saturday afternoon’s match between the second-place Lexington SC women and first-place Sporting JAX had massive implications in the standings. Lexington won the battle, 2-1, and now finds itself only one point out of the league’s top spot and Players’ Shield position.
The match immediately lived up to its billing with all three goals coming in the first 35 minutes of play.
Addie McCain opened the scoring to net her first goal since Dec. 6, 2025. Taylor Aylmer dotted a perfect cross across the box to an outstretched McCain at the back post, and the midfielder guided the ball past the keeper for her eighth goal of the season.
Lexington was called for a penalty in the 31’ minute and Sporting JAX’s leading scorer, Ashlyn Puerta, converted the opportunity to even things.
The lead did not last long, however, as McKenzie Weinert’s eighth goal of the campaign recaptured the lead for LSC.
A gorgeous backheel flick from Catherine Barry laid the ball perfectly in Weinert’s path. She then found an inch of space while surrounded by three defenders and buried her attempt.
Lexington converted to a defensive shape in the second half to preserve the lead and see out the 2-1 victory.
With the result, LSC moved to 12W-3L-10D on the season and is now 5W-1L-0D in its last six outings.
With only three matches remaining in the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season, the Gals in Green are closing in on securing home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
GOALS
LEX: 19’ Addie McCain (assist: Taylor Aylmer)
JAX: 31’ Ashlyn Puerta (P)
LEX: 35’ McKenzie Weinert (assist: Catherine Barry)
LINEUPS
LEX: Kat Asman, Ally Brown (90+1’ Cassie Rohan), Regan Steigleder, Allison Pantuso, Alyssa Bourgeois, Taylor Aylmer, Darya Rajaee (79’ Tati Fung), McKenzie Weinert (84’ Hannah Johnson), Sarah Griffith, Addie McCain (78’ Nicole Vernis), Catherine Barry (79’ Hannah White)
JAX: Kaitlyn Parks, Grace Philpotts, Georgia Brown, Maggie Illig, Meg Hughes, Ashlyn Puerta, Sophie Jones (79’ Parker Roberts), Sophia Boman, Kacey Smekrud (63’ Abby Boyan), Baylee DeSmit, Paige Kenton (79’ Jessica Hunt)
UP NEXT
Lexington’s final road match of the season will play out in Washington as the club takes on Spokane Zephyr FC Saturday, May 2 at 9 p.m. ET. LSC’s final two matches of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season will be played at home.
