Hodges Stadium | Jacksonville, Fla. — Sep. 20, 2026
The Sporting JAX women’s team took on Lexington SC Sunday evening, falling 1-0 after Lexington went ahead in the second half.
In for a Battle
From the very beginning, it was clear that this would be a tightly-contested showdown. The defending Gainbridge Super League champions proved to still be the quality side that took the pitch last season, but it wasn’t long before Sporting JAX began applying pressure and seeking the opening goal.
Chances came during the first half as Sporting JAX kept pushing, but the match entered the halftime break all even, 0-0.
Fighting Back
Lexington SC bagged the first goal of the night in the 59th minute when McKenzie Weinert found the back of the net. This shifted the match’s identity, with Sporting JAX now finding themselves in need of a goal against a stout opponent.
“[We] controlled the game for most of it; it just took one lapse and gave them one opportunity that they took and executed,” Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Balaam said. “We know that they’re a quality team, so the moment that they go up in a game, it’s really hard to try and rescue that game back when they have so much quality and all they’re going to do is stay resilient defensively.”
Sporting JAX relentlessly searched for the equalizer until the final whistle, but it ultimately didn’t materialize as Lexington took the win, 1-0.
“We just had to keep fighting until something happened,” Sporting JAX forward Baylee DeSmit said. “But that’s a game of soccer; it doesn’t always fall.”
“I think we improved a lot since last week,” Sporting JAX midfielder Ashlyn Puerta said. “I think we had a lot more offensive presence and honestly, I think we dominated throughout the game. They just capitalized on their chance and we didn’t, and at the end of the day, that was the difference in the game.”
Looking Ahead
Sporting JAX faces another tough task next weekend as they hit the road to face first-place Carolina Ascent FC. The team is looking to restore the hot start that began the season, something that the squad spoke to following Sunday’s match.
“Momentum switches really often in seasons, and so it’s just trying to get that momentum back,” Balaam said. “It’s not easy, but once you do, you can then start to understand why you got it back again and how you stay there.”
“We can take tonight to reflect on this, but every day this week in training, we’re focusing on the next round [against] Carolina and building each day,” DeSmit said.
Fans can tune in Saturday at 7 p.m. on Peacock as they look to bounce back. Following this match, they return to Hodges Stadium for their next home match on Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. as they take on DC Power FC in the Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month. Those looking to attend can purchase tickets by clicking below.
