Brooklyn FC traveled to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to build on last week’s 1–0 win over Spokane Zephyr FC. Entering the match in 6th Place with a record of 3W-5D-5L, Brooklyn sought their first road victory of the season — and first-ever win over Carolina Ascent, who had taken five straight meetings between the sides.
But it wasn't to be. Carolina won at home 1-0 behind winger Audrey Harding's 44' goal, and Brooklyn dropped to 7th Place in the Gainbridge Super League table with 14 points after 14 games.
Carolina Ascent find a way to score
Carolina opened aggressively, establishing rhythm in possession and pushing Brooklyn’s back line deep. Their midfield trio circulated the ball comfortably, exploiting gaps between Brooklyn’s lines. Carolina almost took a lead in the opening moments of the game, when left-side buildup in the second minute produced an early incursion into the box.
Brooklyn attempted to play out from the back, but struggled under Carolina’s organized press. A throw-in sequence between BKFC's Annie Williams and Catherine Zimmerman in the third minute ended harmlessly, and a foul moments later gifted Carolina another opportunity to settle into the match.
Carolina’s quick midfield progression repeatedly advanced play toward the edge of Brooklyn’s area, testing goalkeeper Breanna Norris, who stood firm. Brooklyn generated one of their best early chances in the sixth minute when Williams connected with Zimmerman, who slipped a dangerous ball to striker Rebecca Cooke, but she couldn't connect.
Carolina responded immediately. In the seventh minute, Jill Aguilera launched a long ball toward Mackenzie George, who combined with Mia Corbin for a promising look that sailed over the bar. Minutes later, Rylee Baisden broke into space on the right, only for Brooklyn midfielder Hope Breslin to intervene before going down injured.
Carolina controlled the tempo, displaying calm possession and coordinated movement. In the 11th minute, Harding delivered a well-timed diagonal ball to Corbin inside the box, but Brooklyn cleared under pressure. Carolina’s bench argued for a penalty, believing Hill had fouled Corbin on the play.
Brooklyn struggled to maintain sustained midfield control, with Jennifer Cudjoe’s attempted long pass in the 14th minute falling short of its target. Harding continued to threaten, testing Norris in goal again in the 15th minute.
A powerful long-range shot from Cudjoe in the 16th minute went over the bar as Brooklyn attempted to regain the momentum. Carolina answered with another spell of possession, highlighted by sharp combinations between Aguilera, Corbin, and George.
Carolina's breakthrough came in the 44th minute. After sustained pressure, Harding scored her second goal of the season, sending Carolina into halftime with a deserved 1–0 lead. Carolina held 64 percent possession to Brooklyn’s 36, outshooting them 13 to 5 with five shots on target.
Brooklyn held scoreless
Brooklyn emerged with renewed urgency. Early pressure produced a Zimmerman strike off the crossbar in the 46th minute, BKFC's closest call of the match. Winger Jessica Garziano’s free kick minutes later found Annie Williams, who could not find a clean shot.
Brooklyn continued to chase rhythm but remained disconnected in midfield. Fouls disrupted the flow on both sides, and Carolina nearly doubled their lead in the 54th minute before an offside call erased a headed goal.
Tomás Tengarrinha introduced new signing Lauren Gogal for her Brooklyn debut in the 57th minute, hoping to stabilize the defensive structure. Moments later, Cooke was fouled hard inside the box with Brooklyn believing a penalty should have been awarded. Breslin created space for another chance in the 58th minute, but her shot drifted wide.
Tyrese Alleyne-Davis
Zimmerman struck the post again in the 63rd minute, the second time she came within inches of leveling the match. Brooklyn’s attacking adjustments produced pressure but not precision. Leah Scarpelli replaced Breslin in the 66th minute, and Mylena Freitas entered for Garziano in the 72nd.
Carolina managed the match professionally, slowing the tempo and using substitutions to maintain control. Brooklyn pushed numbers forward in the late stages but found little joy against a disciplined Carolina back line. Annie Williams required treatment in the 83rd minute, adding to the team’s challenges.
Three minutes of stoppage time were added, but Brooklyn’s final push fell short. Gogal received a late yellow card, and the match ended with Carolina securing the 1–0 victory.
One left to play in 2025
Brooklyn have one more match left to play before the Gainbridge Super League takes a seven-week winter break. BKFC will travel to the Sunshine State to face Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 pm ET, where they once again will look to for their first road win of the season. Then the league will remain quiet until the second half of the 2025/26 season begins on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
