Home vs. Carolina Ascent Preview
Date: Saturday March 15, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 pm EST at Riverfront Stadium Tampa, FL
Records: Tampa Bay Sun (23 pts 5W-8D-4L); Carolina Ascent FC (28 pts 7W-7D-4L)
Standings: The Sun are 5th in the Super League and the Ascent are 3rd.
Carolina comes to town this week with much on the line. The Sun are within striking distance of them in table (as long as one remembers they have a game in hand). The only issue is the home side can’t get a win so far in 2025. Having only lost on penalties in a friendly, all is not lost naturally. But, a win would be massive for Tampa Bay this weekend. Get down to Blake High School on Saturday to cheer the ladies on to victory!
What do we need to do to get three points?!
Carolina Ascent was very early on the talk of the town in the USL Super League. After a long unbeaten run, ended in November by the Tampa Bay Sun, they finished the first half of the season on a down note, losing the two games that followed that first defeat. Of their four games in 2025, they only have 1 loss, that coming at home vs. a very in-form Fort Lauderdale United.
It’s not all roses, though, as they have only won once in their last three games.
There are lessons to take away from their 3-3 draw vs. DC Power as well as the aforementioned loss to FLOOTD. They have mostly used the same players with a change or two along the way. If they trot out the same lineup, the Sun have a roadmap to causing them problems.
Across the back, they have gone with Addisyn Merrick, Vicky Bruce, Jenna Butler, and Jill Aguilera. The latter of these is most interesting, as Aguilera has mostly played in midfield throughout her career. She is still tasked with getting forward frequently and adding to the attack.
A central midfield duo of Taylor Porter and Sarah Troccoli have sat behind Mia Corbin. Again, the latter here is playing in a newer position, having started this season as the #9 for the Ascent. Audrey Harding and Rylee Baisden have played on the left and right wings, with the experienced Baisden adding three assists to her goal over the course of this campaign.
Up top, a familiar face for Tampa Bay fans has been involved: Riley Parker got the start in the first three games of 2025, making way for Israel international Eli Hutchinson for their match last weekend away to Spokane. In that win, Hutchinson was on the end of a cross from Harding on the left, before Butler finished off a corner whipped in by Puerto Rican international Aguilera.
The Ascent have not been shut out since 2024. Meanwhile, the Sun gave up a goal off a cross from the opposite side in last week’s draw against Fort Lauderdale. Sydny Nasello and Paige Almendariz will want to set themselves properly to avoid a similar thing happening. If Jordan Zade gets the start on the right again, she and Viv Bessette will look to do the same.
The wingers on both sides of Carolina’s attack are dangerous, while their central attacking mid Corbin has six goals this season. Playing aggressively out of possession as the Sun have will necessarily open gaps, so the defensive unit from Jordyn Listro back will need to dial in to make sure all runs are covered. If the press works, though, Tampa Bay should be able to win the ball in good areas.
Tampa Bay have taken on this part of their game and tried to add to it, with coach Denise Schilte-Brown making a special note of needing aggression in recent post game press conferences. Carolina started as a team that would try to build from the back. Porter and Troccoli are still a big part of their buildup, so the Sun will want to swamp the midfield with their own players.
There is potential to create an imbalance in Carolina’s favor, with their preferred three-person midfield. Jade Moore and Listro will have the help of Carlee Giammona to even that out, though. From there, strikers Tash Flint and Cecilie Floe have shown an ability to score when given proper service. Catching the Ascent in transition and making quick work of chances is key to winning this one.
Score Predictions from the RBLR Sun Podcast:
Lizzie: 2-0 W
Tom: 2-1 W
Yurika: 1-0 W
James: 2-0 W
