Gritty finish: Despite suffering their first-ever own goal and red card, Sporting Club Jacksonville women’s soccer rode two goals from Baylee DeSmit and clutch saves from keeper Jamie Gerstenberg to outlast Brooklyn FC 2-1 in their regular season home finale on May 3 at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium, returning to the top of the Gainbridge Super League.
Grand Gerstenberg: Gerstenberg, who hadn’t played a competitive game for Sporting Jax since Sept. 28, leaped into action following chaos in the 67th minute. After an own goal glanced off Jacksonville defender Georgia Brown and into the net, Sporting Jax goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks grabbed the loose ball and got entangled in a scuffle with Brooklyn’s Rebecca Cooke. Referee Kaitlyn Trowbridge issued a yellow card to Cooke but a red card to Parks, leaving Jacksonville down a player. Gerstenberg entered and denied four Brooklyn shots late to seal the win.
DeSmit delivers: Rookie forward DeSmit, up to 11 goals, converted a 17th-minute penalty kick after turning two defenders and going down under a challenge from Brooklyn midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe near the edge of the box. She netted the decider in the 58th minute, finishing off a pinball sequence inside after quick passes between Meg Hughes and Grace Phillpotts had carved open an attack down the left.
Quick free kicks: Sporting Jax (15-6-5) returns to first place with 50 points after spending fewer than 24 hours in second. Lexington SC had briefly moved into first place Saturday with 47 points, while Carolina Ascent is gaining ground at 45 points. … The result eliminates Brooklyn (6-12-8) from playoff contention. … Abby Boyan made her first Sporting Jax start at right midfield in a performance that coach Stacey Balaam called “fantastic,” with Kacey Smekrud sliding into the back three.
Up next: Sporting Jax travels north for a May 6 kickoff against DC Power FC, which is fighting for the fourth and final playoff berth.
They said it: “It felt pretty good having it in my hands.” –Jamie Gerstenberg, on making her first save within five minutes after entering.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Jax women overcome own goal, red card to reclaim first place
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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