Away Win Over Lexington Review
Date: Saturday May 10, 2025
Result: Lexington 0-3 Tampa Bay
Records: Tampa Bay Sun (42 pts 11W-9D-6L); Lexington SC (17 pts 4W-5D-17L)
Standings: The Sun moved up to 2nd in the table.
The good times continued to roll in Lexington this past weekend. Even if I’m mixing up Cajun culture with a horsebound state, the sentiment is the same. At the same time, rivals in the table dropped points, which allowed the Sun to jump up to second overall. If they could hold this spot, they would get to host at least one playoff game. It was a momentous occasion at the end of the USL Super League season!
No Listro, no problem?
While I would never want to jump the gun on one or another player being out, a win against Lexington was always likely. After Saturday, the side sitting bottom of the table has as many losses as they do points. It’s sad to see a team playing where they can’t compete; but, this writer is hopeful all current investment from the club went into their new stadium, with future funds going toward squad building.
In the meantime, fans can focus on the brilliant efforts of Tampa Bay players from front to back. With goal scoring never much of a problem in 2025, the only thing to fix has been a back line that has conceded some cheaper strikes. Of late, the shutouts have even started to build up and the Sun seem to have rounded yet another corner in terms of their play on the field.
In net for this one, Sydney Schneider started her second in a row, earning her second clean sheet at the same time. The system manager Denise Schilte-Brown seems to have largely settled on continued at the back, with Brooke Hendrix and Viv Bessette sitting in between Paige Almendariz and Tori Haugen. The latter of these even piped in with her first professional goal!
It should be noted that Haugen’s goal was preceded by a penalty awarded to the Sun. Sydny Nasello earned it with another good run, and Carlee Giammona stepped up to take it. Sadly, her shot was saved; although… There is some criticism for the referee on this anyway. The home keeper Sarah Cox was off her line when the kick was taken, and it should have been redone.
No matter for Giammona or Haugen, though. The former of these would help set up the finish from the latter in the 45th minute. A good pass down the line for Cecilie Floe was brought down before the Dane whipped the ball into the box. Haugen, a Norwegian youth international herself, brought the ball down with a little bit of luck and sent it flying past the keeper.
After seeing a good chance go begging earlier in the half, it was important for the Sun to get the lead before the break. They knew ahead of time they should win this game – on paper anyway. To secure that result, of course, they would need the goals to complete it. Hannah Keane was brought off for the second half, allowing Parker Goins to come in. This would be influential.
After creating a good chance only minutes into the second 45, she was able to bring a long ball under control with enough space to set up her own shot. Goins put that away and gave the Sun the cushion they were looking for. Floe’s stoppage time goal, with an assist from Haugen, was a reversal of provider and finisher for the game’s first tally. Almost poetic in a sense.
Tampa Bay’s backline didn’t have to deal with a ton all night. Regardless, they were able to maintain the clean sheet and continue to build confidence in themselves and their keeper. This shutout was nowhere near as hard fought as the one from a week before, down a player and only one goal ahead, despite some great saves from Sydney Schneider. But, they now have three in four games. That’s top form.
Player of the Game:
Liz: Sydney Schneider
Tom: Tori Haugen
RBLR Score Predictions Standings:
Lizzie: 22
Tom: 16
Yurika: 15
James: 14
