DALLAS — Dallas Trinity FC remains in the playoff picture after earning a 1-1 draw against Sporting JAX, moving into fourth place in the Gainbridge Super League Fall Season standings.
Dallas now has 15 points, two behind Sporting JAX (17), which sits in third. Lexington SC, the reigning league champions, are right behind Dallas with 14 points in fifth.
The draw also officially eliminated Fort Lauderdale United FC from playoff contention.
Jasmine Hamid put Dallas on the board in the 24th minute, scoring her fifth goal of the season. Sofia Cedeño picked up her first assist of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Neeku Purcell finished with three saves as Dallas held Sporting JAX to one goal. Both teams finished with five shots on target, while Trinity controlled 54% of possession.
Head coach Lee Nguyen was pleased with his team’s effort but felt there were opportunities to leave with all three points.
“I thought we were really good in the first half controlling moments,” Nguyen said. “The second half was a little chippy, but the game opened up and started to go back and forth.”
Nguyen emphasized the importance of every remaining match with the playoff race tightening.
“With three games left, every point is crucial to get over the line,” he said.
Defender Sydney Cheeseman also made a key defensive play with a sliding tackle to prevent a scoring opportunity. She credited her teammates for the effort.
Team captain Sophie Braun knows the work is far from finished. Dallas has moved into a playoff spot, but the standings remain tight with three matches remaining.
“Obviously it’s still a super close race, so we’re not comfortable with one point by any means,” Braun said. “We’re in the picture, but we know it literally changes week to week.”
Dallas will look to build on the result when it returns to the road Saturday, Nov. 14, against Tampa Bay Sun SC at Suncoast Credit Union Field.
