Two goals from Lauryn Mateo were enough to push the Blues past the Birmingham Legion by a score of 2-1. With the win, Asheville City clinched its second straight South Central Division Title and booked its third straight trip to the USL W League playoffs.
The Blues got off to a quick start in the 8th minute, when Phoebe Hollin ripped a long-range strike that was saved but produced a juicy rebound that landed on the goal line. Lauryn Mateo pounced on the rebound and tapped it in to give the Blues an early 1-0 lead.
Twenty-two minutes later, Juli Viera nearly doubled the lead when her strike from the corner of the 18 beat Brooklyn Vann but rang off the crossbar.
Immediately after, Destiny Udeh got behind the Blues’ defense for a one-on-one opportunity but Lilly Heaslet was equal to the task to preserve the Blues’ lead.
Right before the break, Maya Leoni let a shot fly from 30 yards out that nearly snuck into the bottom right corner but Vann pushed it wide as the Blues went into half up 1-0.
Mateo struck again six minutes into the second half to double the lead. The Blues earned a freekick on the left flank which Juli Viera stepped up to take. Viera took a kick that caught the Legion backline off-guard and aimed it at the near post where Mateo headed it home to put the Blues up 2-0.
Twelve minutes later, Mateo sent a ball from the left flank to Sarah Gorham inside the box. Gorham settled it then struck a half-volley that looked headed for the net but was deflected wide.
The Legion pulled one back when they earned a penalty five minutes later. Martha Bishop stepped up and slotted the penalty home to cut the Legion’s deficit to one. The Blues subsequently subbed on four fresh players and immediately regained control of the game.
Sarah Gorham forced a turnover in the 78th minute and had her shot saved, before hopping on a rebound on the edge of the box two minutes later and nailing the crossbar with her shot.
The Legion could not break the Blues’ press as they were hemmed in their own half. Hedda Ornberg, Rachel Logue, and Lucy Sloan all mustered dangerous shots but could not beat Vann.
The Blues finally put the game to rest in the 93rd minute when Brooke Pearson got in behind and charged towards goal. The Blues moved the ball around the Legion’s goalbox. Even though they could not find the back of the net, they drained enough clock as time ran out on the Legion’s season and the Blues clinched a second straight South Central Division title.
Rachel Logue was named the Wicked Pie Player of the Match for her efforts on the night.
With the win, the Blues qualified for the 2026 USL W League Playoffs and will host matches this weekend at Greenwood Field!
Details:
Friday, June 3rd:
Charlotte Eagles vs FC Miami City – 3:30 PM
Asheville City SC vs Lonestar SC – 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 5th:
USL W League Southern Conference Finals – 6:00 PM
The Men in Blue return home tomorrow (Monday, June 29th) when division leaders Charlotte Independence II comes to town. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM. You can buy your tickets here.
