By Billy McGee
May 13, 2026
Photo: Carolina Ascent FC
The Carolina Ascent are playing their final regular-season home game against first-place Sporting JAX, and a win, coupled with a Lexington SC loss to Tampa Bay Sun FC, would move the Ascent into second place in the standings, allowing them to host a playoff game.
The Ascent went on a hot streak at the perfect time, winning nine and drawing one of their previous 10 games heading into the final day of the regular season. They’ve gotten it done through a team effort, as the club’s leading goalscorer, Rylee Baisden, has just five goals. Despite not having a player ranked in the top 15 in goals scored in the USL Gainbridge Super League, the Ascent have managed to score the league’s third-most goals with 36, trailing only Sporting JAX (53) and Lexington SC (49).
The defense has been a huge part of the Ascent’s success down the stretch, allowing just three goals and recording seven clean sheets during their 10-game unbeaten run. They are tied with Lexington SC for the second-most clean sheets in the league this season (10), one behind Sporting JAX. Their 26 goals allowed are also the second-best mark in the league, trailing only Lexington by two.
The Ascent have accomplished this while rotating between two goalkeepers throughout the season, with Meagan McClelland appearing in 16 matches and Sydney Martinez playing the other 11. The two keepers have combined for 72 saves this season, a total that would rank second in the league behind only Hope Hisey of Spokane Zephyr FC (86).
A key player to watch on Saturday is Jill Aguilera. After winning USL Super League Defender of the Year and leading the league in assists (7) during the 2024/25 season, she has once again been vital for the Ascent this year, ranking third on the team in assists and second in the league in chances created (50).
The season finale will be a challenge for the Ascent, as they face the top team in the league, Sporting JAX, coming off a 1-0 win over DC Power FC in a midweek matchup on May 6, giving them more time to recover and prepare for the final game than the Ascent, who last played on May 9. The stout Ascent defense will have to find a way to handle the Jacksonville attack, which features three players with double-digit goals and four players in the top five in assists.
19-year-old midfielder Ashlyn Puerta leads the attack with 12 goals and seven assists. She is tied with Baylee DeSmith for the team lead in goals and sits atop the league in assists alongside teammates Meg Hughes and Paige Kenton.
To secure all three points, the Ascent will need to stay organized defensively against Jacksonville’s high-powered attack while finding a way to break through one of the league’s stingiest defenses. In the three meetings between the clubs this season, the Ascent have scored five goals, earning a 2-2 draw on September 13, falling 4-3 on September 28, and suffering a 1-0 defeat in their most recent matchup in late January.
The match against Sporting Club Jacksonville is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at American Legion Memorial Stadium with a “fan-tastic fan-ale” featuring additional activities before the game. The festivities include the Base Camp Bash Tailgate at the CPCC Quad starting at 3:00 p.m., a pre-match concert by Ellie Morgan at 5:30 p.m., a T-shirt giveaway for kids 12 and under, a special halftime performance, and post-match fireworks.
Tickets are available here, and the game will be streamed on Peacock.
Unbeaten in 🔟
$10 off tickets for May 16th
🎟️ – https://t.co/uqVG1ONYjy pic.twitter.com/ARI0KPWr3w— Carolina Ascent FC (@carolinaascent) May 10, 2026
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