A Late‑Extra‑Time Miracle
Lexington Sporting Club’s women’s soccer side captured the Gainbridge Super League championship on May 30, edging Carolina Ascent 3‑1 in extra time before a sellout crowd of 7,715 at Lexington SC Stadium.
The winning goals came from Regan Steigleder and Addie McCain, whose late strikes capped a comeback that underscored the team’s resilience after a rocky debut season.
Catherine Barry, the league’s top scorer with 16 goals, and defender Allison Pantuso, named defensive player of the year, were among the new faces who arrived after a wholesale roster overhaul.
Midfielder Taylor Aylmer and goalkeeper Kat Asman, who posted a 0.86 goals‑against average, also played pivotal roles in a defense that conceded just 0.86 goals per 90 minutes.
Under head coach Masaki Hemmi, who instituted a new culture and playing style, Lexington went unbeaten through its first 16 matches before Kosuke Kimura steered the club to the regular‑season crown.
The championship marks the first professional women’s title in Lexington’s history, a milestone that eclipses the brief stint of the Kentucky Fillies, a national‑level women’s team that played in the city from 2000 to 2003.
The victory also highlights the contrast with the Lexington Sporting Club’s men’s squad, still trophy‑less after four seasons, emphasizing the rapid rise of the women’s program.
Fans responded to a series of promotions that helped fill the stadium, while the club’s growing profile suggests a bright future for the franchise and the league alike.