Sporting JAX’s women’s team played Dallas Trinity FC to a 1-1 draw Nov. 8, 2026, at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Dallas Trinity FC opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Ashlyn Puerta leveled the Gainbridge Super League match in the 58th minute. The result gave Sporting JAX a road point after both teams remained scoreless for the rest of the match.
Dallas Trinity FC continued pressing for a second goal after taking the lead, but Sporting JAX limited the damage. The visitors increased their pressure late in the first half and carried that momentum into the second half. Sporting JAX captain Sophie Jones said the late first-half push helped the team adjust its approach.
“I think the end of the first half definitely gave us momentum going into the second half,” Jones said. “We are a team that likes to be on the front foot, so being able to put them under pressure helped us grow into the game and get the ball deeper into our attacking third.”
Turnover creates the equalizer
Sporting JAX converted its pressure in the 58th minute. Paige Kenton intercepted a pass by Dallas goalkeeper Neeku Purcell and found midfielder Ashlyn Puerta, who scored to make it 1-1. The goal capped a sequence that allowed Sporting JAX to attack after forcing a turnover in possession.
Sporting JAX head coach Stacey Balaam said the team needed to stay disciplined before increasing its pressure in the second half. “At the start of the second half, we had to stay disciplined knowing we couldn’t concede another goal,” Balaam said. “Once we settled into the second half, it was time to press a little more aggressively and put them under pressure. This paid off and we capitalized on their turnover of possession.”
Puerta and Kenton are in their second season together, and both were named to the Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month for their October performances. Puerta leads the Gainbridge Super League with nine goals this season. She credited Kenton’s work rate and ability to connect play for helping Sporting JAX create chances in the final third.
“I love playing with Paige; her work rate and ability to hold the ball up and find players underneath are so key for us both offensively and defensively,” Puerta said. “We are very happy to be back at it, and it has definitely been paying off in the final third.”
Sporting JAX presses for a winner
Sporting JAX nearly took the lead one minute after Puerta’s equalizer. Forward Baylee DeSmit beat Purcell, but her shot was blocked as Dallas Trinity FC recovered to keep the match level. The visitors continued pressing for a winning goal but could not break the tie.
Balaam said Sporting JAX created opportunities to find a game winner while crediting Dallas Trinity FC for resisting the pressure. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a game winner even though we created great opportunities in front of their goal,” Balaam said. “Dallas remained resilient and credit to them for managing through the waves of pressure we applied to them. It was an encouraging performance that we will take into the next one.”
What comes next
Sporting JAX returns home Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. to face DC Power FC. The match was rescheduled because of inclement weather stemming from Hurricane Isaias last month. It will be Sporting JAX’s next opportunity to build on the pressure that produced its equalizer in Dallas.
FSB Take
Sporting JAX showed that its pressure can produce a direct scoring opportunity against a team defending a lead. Kenton’s interception created Puerta’s equalizer, while DeSmit’s blocked shot showed how close the visitors came to taking control after tying the match. That attacking pressure gives Sporting JAX a clear foundation to carry into the home match against DC Power FC.
Source: Original report