CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fort Lauderdale United FC (8-5-3, 27 PTS) triumphed in its matchup with Carolina Ascent FC (6-4-7, 25 PTS) on Sunday afternoon, 2-1. The club trailed 1-0 going into halftime, but a pair of goals from reigning Player of the Month Jasmine Hamid and forward Kiara Locklear pushed Fort Lauderdale to earn all 3 points on the road. The victory extends FTL UTD’s unbeaten streak to six games (5W, 1D), and the club will look to keep its momentum going into its matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC in the Florida Derby. With the comeback win, Fort Lauderdale now has sole possession of second place in the USL Super League standings with 27 points in 16 matches.
Fort Lauderdale’s next match takes place on International Women’s Day (March 8) and the club will take on Tampa at Beyond Bancard Field in the third iteration of the Florida Derby this season. The clubs have tied in both of its previous meetings of the rivalry match, with the first game coming on November 10 at home (1-1) and the second match taking place on February 8 in Tampa (2-2).
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgq0wD-pMZw
The beginning of the match was back and forth, with both teams putting together solid build up play. The match got more strong and physical as the two teams began to get comfortable. The Fort Lauderdale defense was tested early, but the back-line and goalkeeper Cosette Morche stayed firm.
Fort Lauderdale recorded its first shot in the 27th minute with a right-footed shot from Julia Grosso just nearly missing the net. Just one minute later, Carolina took the lead in the 28th minute after a left-footed shot. Hamid nearly tied the game after a pass from Darya Rajaee, but the header faded just left of the net. Despite Fort Lauderdale getting a pair of chances down the stretch, the club went into halftime trailing 1-0.
FTL UTD came out of the halftime break on fire, with Hamid scoring the equalizer just two minutes into the second half on an incredible team goal. Laveni Vaka started the run with a pass to right wing Sh’Nia Gordon, who one-touch passed the ball to Addie McCain. The league’s leading scorer took a touch, and played Locklear a perfect through-ball pass with her right foot. Locklear carried the ball into the box and played a cross to the back post, where Hamid fired the ball into the back of the net.
Morche preserved the tie after saving a hard shot in the 54th minute. After receiving a short pass from a corner kick, the dynamic, creative Rajaee played a perfect cross for McCain at the back post, who headed the ball back across the box to the other post. The electric Locklear soared in and slotted the header into the goal, giving FTL UTD a 2-1 advantage in the 61st minute.
A trio of subs entered the match for Fort Lauderdale in the 67th minute, with Adrienne Jordan, Felicia Knox and Jorian Baucom subbing in for Delaney Lindahl, Taylor Smith and Gordon. Carolina nearly equalized in the 70th minute, but Morche used her right hand to deflect the shot into the crossbar before it was cleared away by the FTL defense.
Hamid nearly had her brace in the 83rd minute after a pass from Rajaee, but her header sailed just over the crossbar. Another reinforcement entered the match for FTL, with midfielder Tati Fung checking in for Rajaee in the 84th minute. The Fort Lauderdale defense stayed strong as the final whistle approached, and Morche saved a shot that would’ve tied the match in the 89th minute.
With 5 minutes of stoppage time added on by the fourth official, the final FTL sub was made with a defensive purpose. Defender Celia Gaynor came onto the field in the 91st minute for the goalscorer Hamid, and helped secure a 2-1 win for Fort Lauderdale over Carolina Ascent FC.
Scoring Summary
CAR: Corbin, 28
FTL: Hamid, 47
FTL: Locklear, 61
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the pitch on Saturday, March 8 for a rivalry matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC. The clubs have met twice this season, with both Florida Derby matches ending in a draw. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST and the match will be streamed on the Peacock app and available for local viewing on FanDuel Sports Network.
Tickets
Season ticket packages for all home matches, as well as single-game tickets can be purchased here. FTL UTD’s next home match is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 against Tampa Bay Sun FC in the third iteration of the Florida Derby. The match takes place on International Women’s Day, and kick-off for the rivalry game is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.