SPOKANE, Was. – Lexington Sporting Club earned its first ever three points with a win over Spokane Zephyr FC. The final from One Spokane Stadium was 3-2.
“It’s pretty euphoric,” Head Coach Michael Dickey said. “Winning a game at a professional level, there’s nothing like it, so when your team wins and you get to see them experience their first pro win as a team and as a club, it’s outstanding. Still feeling really exceptional right now. It was a good win, it was nice to win on the road, which was difficult, and then to get our first one on top of that, everyone is in really high spirits.”
Things got off to a strong start for the visitors as captain Shea Moyer found the back of the net off an assist by Madi Parsons in the 18th minute.
Unfortunately for the Greens, the lead didn’t last long as Spokane’s Emma Jaskaniec scored an equalizer in the 36th minute.
Both teams entered the halftime break tied at one each.
Still on the hunt for the first win in club history, Lexington again took the lead early in the second half as Marykate McGuire netted one in the 48th minute.
Ever the equalizers, Spokane once again drew the match level, this time courtesy of Emina Ekic off an assist by Haley Thomas in the 58th minute.
From there, both sides continued to fight for a winner, with regulations coming to an end with the teams level at 1-1.
Lexington made a sub, adding Kailey Utley, and very nearly subbed eventual game-winner Sydney Shepherd, but opted to give the former Michigan Wolverine the benefit of the doubt.
The decision would ultimately be the correct one for the Greens as, following a corner kick in the 90+4th minute, Shepherd headed the ball into the net for a game winner.
“It was an amazing feeling knowing we’d secured the win,” Shepherd said. “Leading up to that moment I just remember thinking I needed to get something on the cross, but watching it sneak in was thrilling. It was an awesome moment for the team’s history, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Despite the best efforts of the home side, there wasn’t a third equalizer in the cards for Zephyr FC. The full-time whistle brought jubilation for the visiting Greens, who rallied around their goalkeeper.
“It was a really special moment for me,” Cox said. “As a keeper, a lot of what we do can go unnoticed, but it made the win that much sweeter to be embraced by the whole team like that. We have such a good group of women on this team and I’m so proud to be a part of what is yet to come for us.”
Spokane controlled the possession in the match, holding onto the ball 54% of the time while also winning in expected goals with a 3.80-1.76 advantage.
Next up for the Gals in Green, they’ll stay on the road on Saturday, Oct. 18, facing Fort Lauderdale United FC in Florida. Kickoff against FTL is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on Peacock.
About Lexington Sporting Club
Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer third division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (women’s professional soccer launching in 2024). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,000 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.