Latest news with #SportingJAX
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Flagler College star, among 4 to join Sporting JAX inaugural roster
Sporting Club Jacksonville added four more players to the team's inaugural roster. On Wednesday, the team announced the signings of forwards Andrea Fernández and Baylee DeSmit, midfielder Jessie Hunt, and goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg. 'We are proud to announce these young ladies as new members of Sporting JAX,' said Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Ballam. 'Each of these players are looking to kick-start a new chapter within this professional league for the first time. They have all broken records and made their names in the history books at their US colleges. We are confident they can reach new heights for the club.' Advertisement Andrea Fernández is a former Flagler College star who scored 75 goals and 45 assists over 78 games. Fernández received numerous awards throughout her collegiate career, including the 2024 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and First Team All-American honors. In her senior season, Fernández led the nation in goals per match, shots on goal per match, total goals, and total points. Baylee DeSmit played collegiate soccer at Loyola University Maryland where she was a two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. In 72 appearances, DeSmit scored 36 goals and had 21 assists. Jessie Hunt broke the single-season and career assists records during her time at Northeastern University. Hunt also earned First Team All-CAA honors twice. Jamie Gerstenberg is a former standout for Germany's U17 and U19 National teams. Gerstenberg started 67 games at Indiana University, where she recorded 185 saves, a 0.81 goals-against average, and 30 shutouts. The former Hoosiers goalie earned Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023 and set a school record 10 shutouts in a single season. Earlier this week, Sporting JAX announced the team will host two international friendlies at UNF's Hodges Stadium. The team will kick off its Gainbridge Super League regular season debut on August 23 against DC Power FC. Tickets are on sale now.
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs Women invited to pre-season tour in USA
Hibernian FC Women will travel to Jacksonville, Florida, USA, this summer following an invitation to an international challenge match and pre-season tour in association with Gainbridge Super League club Sporting Club Jacksonville, commonly known as Sporting JAX. After positive discussions between the two clubs, the 2024/25 Scottish Women's Premier League champions were delighted to be invited to a week-long warm-weather training camp in Florida by Sporting JAX, forming a beneficial working relationship with the newly-formed team. The ream will fly out to Florida on Sunday 27 July before returning home on Sunday 3 August, with a pre-season friendly arranged versus Sporting JAX during the intensive pre-season trip. The exhibition match will be held at the 10,000-capacity Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida on Saturday 2 August, 2025, and will kick-off at 7pm ET (12am midnight, UK time). Presented by Visit Jacksonville, the game will be dedicated to visionary late Hibernian FC chairman Ronald J Gordon, who was instrumental to both clubs involved in the fixture. This match will give Grant Scott's title-winning side an opportunity to test themselves against strong opposition ahead of the 2025/26 campaign as the girls seek to defend their league champions status. Founded in 2023, Sporting JAX are heading into their inaugural season and will play in the ultra-competitive Gainbridge Super League – the topflight of US women's football. The Florida club are managed by English manager Stacey Balaam and are building a strong squad ahead of their first-ever league campaign, which begins on Saturday 23 August, with former Rangers FC manager Mark Warburton the club's Head of Soccer and Sporting Director. 'Hosting Hibernian FC Women is especially meaningful as we pay tribute to the late Ron Gordon, a beloved friend, mentor and one of our founding investors,' said Steve Livingstone, President and CEO of Sporting JAX. 'Ron's leadership revitalized Hibs and helped bring Sporting JAX to life. This match is dedicated to him and the Gordon family.' Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sporting JAX announce International Women's Soccer Series, facing Wrexham AFC and Hibernian FC
Sporting Club Jacksonville will participate in two international preseason matches as part of the inaugural International Women's Soccer Series. On August 2, Sporting JAX will welcome reigning Scottish Women's Premier League champions, Hibernian FC Women, to UNF's Hodges Stadium. Advertisement 'This preseason series of matches is not just about preparing to compete; it's about honoring our roots and stepping onto the global stage,' says Sporting JAX President and CEO Steve Livingstone. 'Hosting Hibernian FC Women is especially meaningful as we pay tribute to the late Ron Gordon, a beloved friend, mentor, and one of our founding investors. Ron's leadership revitalized Hibs and helped bring Sporting JAX to life. This match is dedicated to him and the Gordon family.' On August 10, Sporting JAX will host Wrexham AFC Women, the Welsh club owned by 'Deadpool' actor Ryan Reynolds and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' actor Rob McElhenney. Wrexham's story gained notoriety thanks to the popular FX docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham.' 'We're also thrilled to welcome Wrexham AFC Women to the First Coast, a club whose story has captured hearts and headlines around the world,' says Livingstone. 'Their story has ignited incredible energy for the sport and introduced new fans to the women's game, especially here in the U.S. They're the perfect preseason opponent as we introduce Jacksonville's first professional women's sports team to the community and world.' Sporting JAX says both matches are part of Sporting JAX's 16-game season ticket package, along with 14 regular season home games. Fans who already bought season tickets will automatically receive tickets to the games. Single-game tickets for the two international friendlies are on sale now. Fans can also purchase a combined two-game 'Euro Pack.'
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sporting JAX adds four more to inaugural roster
Sporting Club Jacksonville adds four more college stars to its inaugural roster. The club signed midfielders Madison Kemp and Sophia Boman, and defenders Paige Kenton and Katie Sullivan. 'The four talents bring fearlessness, confidence, and a fierce competitive edge to our team,' says Sporting JAX head coach Stacey Balaam. 'As they transition to a professional level, I'm confident they will rise to every challenge and make an immediate impact on the field.' (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Madison Kemp played her final season at the University of Kentucky, where she started in all 21 matches. During that final season, Kemp scored five goals and five assists and was named third team All-SEC. She spent the first four years of her collegiate career at Gonzaga University. In total, Kemp scored 28 goals over five seasons. (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Sophia Boman was the team captain at the University of Minnesota, where she played every minute in her final season as a graduate student. Boman received multiple awards throughout her collegiate career, including All-Big Ten first team, second team All Big Ten twice, and All-Freshman team. Boman scored 24 goals and 17 assists during her time with the Gophers. (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Paige Kenton played four years at the University of Pennsylvania, where she scored three goals and two assists. Kenton graduated Magna Cum Laude at Penn with a honors B.A in neuroscience. Kenton played her fifth year at the University of Delaware. (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Katie Sullivan played four seasons Johns Hopkins University, where she tallied 19 goals and 8 assists in her final season. In her collegiate career, Sullivan scored 60 goals and 31 assists, both of which rank second in program history. Advertisement The four will join Georgia Brown, Ashlyn Puerta, Zara Siassi, Parker Roberts, and Carolina Murray, who were signed in recent weeks. Sporting JAX's home opener will be Saturday, August 23, against DC Power FC at Hodges Stadium.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sporting JAX signs three more players to debut roster
Sporting Club Jacksonville added three more players to the roster as it prepares for its debut in the newly launched USL Division One Gainbridge Super League. The USL expansion franchise announced the signings of defender Zara Siassi, and midfielders Caroline Murray and Parker Roberts. 'We are thrilled to announce these key additions to our first-ever team at Sporting JAX,' said Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Balaam. 'We have three special personalities within this group who will be integral to building a healthy but competitive culture. They all prioritize a 'team first' mindset and are willing to go the other extra mile for others. This will be important as we try to build a cohesive and collaborative group.' (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Zara Siassi is no stranger to Jacksonville as she was a star player at the University of North Florida. In 2024, Siassi was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and All ASUN-First Team. She also was named fourth-team All-American in her final year at UNF and made the ASUN Academic Honor Roll four times. Advertisement 'Zara will enter her first season as a professional after an impressive college career at UNF and she has really made a name for herself in the community,' said Balaam. 'Her soccer resume speaks for itself and her high honors throughout her college career are a testament to her hard work, dedication and discipline. Zara is gritty, a fierce competitor and has a selfless mentality. We are excited to see her growth as she begins her professional journey.' (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Caroline Murray has been playing professional soccer since 2016, playing in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Recently, Murray played for Throttur Reykjavik in Iceland. 'Caroline has adapted to many different styles and cultures over the years. She is powerful, direct, and can play on either wing. She is an exciting, attack-minded player who will undoubtedly cause problems for many defenders. Caroline has the mindset that she is playing every game like it's her last and you can't teach that mentality – that is sheer desire,' raved Balaam. (Courtesy of Sporting JAX) Parker Roberts played with the Florida Gators from 2016 to 2021 before playing with the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Roberts has represented the U.S. on the U20 and U23 teams. Advertisement 'Parker is a senior pro who will offer valuable experience down the spine,' said Balaam. 'She is an engine, a destroyer, and a leader who can score goals from the midfield. She brings many key attributes on and off the field, and will set the tone every day in practice as a great role model for the squad's younger players.' These three signings join Georgia Brown and Ashlyn Puerta who were signed last month. Sporting JAX will play its home opener on Saturday, August 23 at UNF's Hodges Stadium against DC Power FC.
