Carolina Ascent, Charlotte's professional women's soccer team, scored off a corner kick in the eighth minute Friday night and made it hold through seven minutes of stoppage time, the extra time added for delays, beating DC Power FC 1-0 in Charlotte.
Rylee Baisden headed in the ball after Jenna Butler nodded Jill Aguilera's corner back across the goal. Goalkeeper Sydney Martinez made two saves for her sixth shutout of the season. The bigger one came in the 72nd minute, when she stopped DC's Justina Gaynor alone near the penalty spot.
The win kept Carolina eight points clear at the top of the Gainbridge Super League, an eight-team women's league, with 22 points from nine matches. Sporting JAX is second with 14 from eight. The top four teams reach the playoffs after a 14-match season, and first place takes the Players' Shield.
It was Carolina's ninth goal this season from a corner or free kick, which the club says leads the league. DC had more of the ball in the first half, according to the club.
"Her goal was not an accident," Carolina head coach Philip Poole said of Baisden. "She made a great countermovement once the ball went over her head, and she arrives in that spot."
Carolina plays at Fort Lauderdale United FC on Thursday, Oct. 22.
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