Late heroics power Carolina Ascent to wild draw in home opener
Maddie Mercado came through when the Carolina Ascent needed her most.
The 24-year-old midfielder delivered her second goal of the young season in stoppage time as Charlotte’s pro women’s soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw in their 2025 home opener Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
The Ascent fought back against the defending league champion Tampa Bay Sun in a prime-time Gainbridge Super League matchup, thrilling an energetic Charlotte crowd on a night when kickoff was pushed back roughly 30 minutes due to thunderstorms.
“A lot of the girls were hyping it up — ’we have such a good crowd’ — and I was excited to see it,” said Mercado, a first-year Carolina player on loan from the NWSL’s Seattle Reign. “First home opener of a new season, in Year Two, is big, and the crowd was just awesome.”
It was Mia Corbin, one of the league’s most dangerous scorers last season, who broke through for the home team in the 40th minute. Corbin pounced on a loose ball in the goal area after a scramble following an Ascent corner, burying a right-footed shot through defense from the center of the box into the bottom left corner — giving Carolina a 1-0 advantage it would take into halftime.
But the momentum shifted after the break — at least, for a while.
Tampa Bay drew level in the 74th minute, when Sydny Nasello rifled a left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box to the top right corner, put away off a cross from Emma Gaines-Ramos.
“We dominated the game,” Carolina head coach Philip Poole said. “We were on top with creating chances, tons of corners, tons of efforts — and that’s how we want to be. We want to be on the right foot, and we want to make sure the fans come through the gate. Fans are here rain or shine, and they see a team that’s pushing to win games.
“Disappointed with the result, honestly. But couldn’t be happier for the fight and quality of football, capped off with a really good crowd.”
Just seven minutes later, the Sun completed their comeback. Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner. Carolina’s defense, so often a calling card last season, was unable to keep Tampa Bay from stunning the home faithful.
But it wasn’t over.
With the clock two minutes into stoppage time past the 90th minute, Mercado — whose goal 43 seconds into last week’s season opener set a league record — delivered once again in her new uniform. She collected the ball outside the box and lashed a left-footed shot through traffic and into the net, bringing the Ascent level at 2-2 and rescuing a hard-earned point.
“It’s always exciting,” Corbin said. “But again, Maddie (Mercado) coming in. It’s nice to take the pressure off me. It’s been a joy working with her and making our front line stronger.”
Notable
- The Ascent (0-0-2), last season’s inaugural Players’ Shield winners, became synonymous with attacking style and lockdown defense — finishing with the league’s most goals (46) fewest conceded (26) and a league-record 12 clean sheets — but came up short of the league title after a semifinal loss at home.
- Poole’s squad features 10 new faces and 18 returners, including a revamped midfield.
- Carolina started its season with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Fort Lauderdale, highlighted by Mercado’s league-record goal in her debut and a stoppage-time equalizer by Audrey Harding.
- Tampa Bay (0-2-1), the reigning league champion, avoided the franchise’s first three-game losing streak after opening losses at Brooklyn and at home to expansion side Sporting JAX.
They said it
“I actually watched (Sporting Jax)’s game last week — they had a lightning delay, and only a few people stayed,” Poole said. “The fact that as many people came through the gates (Saturday) was great. The supporter section, for me, was the best it’s been. And you see that group growing. Maybe I’m a bad marketer, but I actually see a lot of connection with the groups out of Charlotte FC. I saw a lot of Charlotte FC jerseys in the support section, and that’s just a testament to the sports teams in Charlotte and the support they get.
“I’m really thankful for these guys getting the word out, when there’s a 30-, 35-minute delay, and it’s been a long day for people and they stick through it. For me, that’s massive.”
What’s next for the Carolina Ascent?
The team heads back on the road next weekend, taking on Sporting Jax at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and returns to Charlotte for three consecutive home contests:
- Sept. 24 vs. Spokane
- Sept. 28 vs. Sporting Jax
- Oct. 4 vs. DC Power
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM.
