TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club weren’t able to overcome a late three goal scoring spree by Sporting JAX in their return to Suncoast Credit Union Field.
The match was scoreless after the first half, but Sporting JAX scored three goals in the second half to put the visitors up 3-0. The Sun had two late second-half goals to make it 3-2.
Sporting JAX broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Meg Hughes unleashed a strike from outside the box to the bottom right corner to give the visitors the lead.
Ashlyn Puerta had the second and third goals for Sporting JAX to put them up 3-0, but the Sun made it a game with two late goals.
Sandrine Mauron ignited a late push for the Sun with a well-placed goal in the 70th minute. Just two minutes later, Carlee Giammona netted her second of the season, cutting the Sun deficit to one.
The Sun couldn’t get it done, losing 3-2 in the home opener. The game was the home opener for the Sun, kicking off their Gainbridge Super League championship defense, and culminating in a fireworks show for fans along the Hillsborough River.
The team falls to 0-2 to start the season.
The next match was scheduled at Carolina Ascent on Sept. 6, past the newspaper’s deadline. The next Sun home game is a rematch of the 2024-25 playoff semifinal on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Trinity FC.
