Spokane Zephyr Knocks off Carolina Ascent, 2-0
GSL Carolina Ascent FC

Spokane Zephyr Knocks off Carolina Ascent, 2-0

Published on February 14, 2026 under Gainbridge Super League (GSL)
Carolina Ascent FC News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Carolina Ascent dropped all three points at home Saturday afternoon, falling to Spokane Zephyr FC 2-0.

Ginger Fontenot and Lena Silano both scored in the first half for Spokane and goalkeeper Hope Hisey delivered a six-save shutout.

Carolina appeared to take the lead in the 17th minute. After being whistled for a pair of early fouls, Shea Groom sprinted in behind the back line, edging past Spokane's Reese Tappan. The two battled shoulder-to-shoulder before Groom lifted a chip over Hisey, but the referee ruled a foul on the play, drawing protests from the crowd.

Seven minutes later, a bouncing ball fell to Jill Aguilera at the top of the box. The left back blasted a half-volley just wide.

Against the run of play, Spokane found the breakthrough in the 27th minute. A counterattack started with Hisey, who quickly moved it wide to Fontenot. The defender streaked up the wing to the corner of the box. Looking to stand it up to the back post, her cross floated all the way into the side netting.

Stunningly, the Ascent went down two just six minutes later. Jenna Butler misplayed it on the edge of her box and Silano pounced, out-waiting Meagan McClelland to double Spokane's advantage.

Carolina got one final chance of the first half as Aguilera let fly again from 25 yards. Hisey did well to paw away a short hop, ending the frame. Despite a advantage in shots and possession, the Ascent trailed by two at the break.

Carolina came out and dominated the first 15 minutes of the second frame, living in the Spokane half. Audrey Coleman looked to assist Riley Parker to cut the deficit, but Parker was a hair offside.

The threats continued to come from the Ascent. In the 63rd minute, Mackenzie George started a fantastic move, backheeling into the path of Coleman. The winger then played it into space for Rylee Baisden, but she was denied by a rushing Hisey.

On the next play off a corner kick, the ball fell to Sydney Studer, but again Hisey stood tall, denying the defender from point blank range.

Carolina continued to press late, but a breakthrough never came as Hisey and the Spokane back line held firm to the final whistle. Despite controlling long stretches and creating several quality chances, the Ascent were left to rue missed opportunities in a result that didn't reflect the balance of play. Carolina will look to regroup and turn its strong spells into goals next Saturday at home against Dallas Trinity FC.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Philip Poole on the frustration of the team's current run:

"I don't think we've played great in any of the three games we've played so far in the spring, yet we've had the chances to win at Jacksonville and to beat Lexington. ‚¬©And again, we had enough chances in this second half today to make a game of it. Um, If we're going to put up zeros, it would be nice if someone came and absolutely battered us. That's the most frustrating thing."

Poole on growing from current form:

"We have to be mature. All of us, from me down, we have to be mature, and it's hard trying to integrate a couple of new players that are coming in off NWSL preseason, so trying to get them fit is important. The team is mature enough, but also we have no choice, right?"

Jenna Butler on not finishing chances:

"I think one thing that's been frustrating is we clearly are creating opportunities and it's just trying to put one of them away to get it going. We've done a really good job of creating chance after chance and getting in the box and getting crosses and getting shots off. ‚¬©We just need that one to go in to keep it going."

Mackenzie George on building from this:

"I think it's frustrating because we know how talented this group is. Right now it's about putting the pieces together - building chemistry, figuring out which combinations work best on the field - and we haven't quite found that recipe yet. But we will."

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Gainbridge Super League Stories from February 14, 2026


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