Sporting JAX and Brooklyn FC finished in a 4-4 draw on Oct. 31, 2026, at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Sporting JAX women’s team rallied twice to earn a point in the Gainbridge Super League match. Ashlyn Puerta scored twice, including the 80th-minute equalizer, and joined Baylee DeSmit atop the league with eight goals this season.
Sporting JAX answers early deficit
Brooklyn FC took a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes, but Sporting JAX responded two minutes later. Defender Grace Phillpotts delivered a free kick toward the box, where forward Baylee DeSmit scored with a header. The goal was DeSmit’s eighth of the season and put Sporting JAX on the board.
Sporting JAX tied the match in the 33rd minute after Brooklyn FC failed to clear the ball from the final third. Paige Kenton gained possession and sent a shot past the goalkeeper for the equalizer. Kenton credited the team’s belief and attacking cohesion for helping produce the comeback.
“I think our faith in our attack and our creativity [helped us come back],” Kenton said. “We see it every day in practice. We know we can score goals. We’re scoring all week. We’re working with each other. Our cohesion up front is outstanding.”
Puerta sparks second rally
Brooklyn FC scored twice after halftime to restore its two-goal advantage. Sporting JAX again had to rally, and Kenton helped create the opportunity that brought the hosts within one goal. She drew a foul in the box in the 67th minute, setting up a penalty kick for midfielder Ashlyn Puerta.
Puerta converted the penalty kick before scoring the equalizer in the 80th minute. The goal moved her to eight for the season and tied her with DeSmit atop the Gainbridge Super League scoring list. Sporting JAX continued to pursue a winning goal, but the match ended tied at 4-4.
Puerta said her connection with Kenton has improved after both players dealt with illnesses early in the season. “We were both battling illnesses in the first part of the season, so I think we were a little off our game in the first part,” Puerta said. “But we’ve been really working in training, finding each other and getting back into that groove.”
Kenton said she was pleased to see the partnership producing chances again. “I’m happy we’re back to connecting,” Kenton said. “She’s so talented; you get the ball to her and she creates something magic.” Stacey Balaam also credited the chemistry between the two Sporting JAX players.
“They built that relationship with each other, and they’ve got that chemistry on the field and obviously playing with each other last year,” Balaam said. “You’ve always got to be on the same page for things like that to click, and they just have a great understanding with each other and they’re always dangerous to defend for teams.”
What comes next
Sporting JAX will travel next weekend to play Dallas Trinity FC in the Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month. The match will be available at 5 p.m. ET on Peacock. Sporting JAX will return to Hodges Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. to play DC Power FC.
Balaam said she did not want the team’s comeback pattern to become a habit because falling behind by one or two goals creates an uphill challenge. She nevertheless praised the work ethic that helped Sporting JAX recover twice. “The work ethic of the group to come back and come back into the game – Ashlyn, Baylee, Paige – just showing up and showing their importance and their value in the team was incredible,” Balaam said.
FSB Take
Sporting JAX earned a point despite falling behind by two goals twice, making its response the defining fact of the draw. Puerta’s two goals also put her alongside DeSmit at the top of the Gainbridge Super League with eight goals each. The result sets up Sporting JAX’s next league assignment against Dallas Trinity FC before the team returns to Hodges Stadium against DC Power FC.
Source: Original report