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Sporting Jax beats unbeaten Lexington, extends women's soccer lead
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- Sporting Jax beats unbeaten Lexington, extends women's soccer lead
Sporting statement:Sporting Club Jacksonville pulled away from the pack in Gainbridge Super League women's soccer, downing formerly-unbeaten host Lexington SC 3-0 on Feb. 21 and stretching the expansion club's edge to four points.
Puerta's power:Super League top scorer Ashlyn Puerta led the way for Sporting Jax. Still a week before her 19th birthday, she cut back past two defenders before sliding a precise pass to Baylee DeSmit for Jacksonville's second goal, and scored one herself by blasting a 20-yard free kick through the wall for a 3-0 lead.
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Midfielder's milestone:Kacey Smekrud put Sporting Jax on the board, notching her first goal since joining the club in January. Raiding from the right wing, she put away a low cross from Meg Hughes for the first goal.
Perfection for Parks: Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks achieved her second consecutive shutout as Lexington (7-1-9) managed only three shots on target.
Quick free kicks:Puerta now leads the league with 12 goals. ... Former Oakleaf High School forward Hannah Johnson came off the bench to play the last nine minutes for Lexington. ... Jade Pennock, Maggie Illig, Jessie Hunt, Katie Sullivan and Andrea Fernandez entered the game off the bench for Sporting Jax.
Up next: Sporting Jax now has three weeks to rest before returning to action at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Fort Lauderdale United's Beyond Bancard Field.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Club Jacksonville women's soccer shuts out Lexington SC
