SPORTING JAX MEN
Last-minute thriller: Ahmad Al Qaq lunged for the game-winning header four minutes into stoppage time and Sporting Club Jacksonville rallied past Lexington SC 3-2 in USL Championship men’s soccer on Sept. 5 at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.
Frantic finish: After Lexington (9-10-4) had clawed back to take the lead on goals from Marcus Epps in the 73rd minute and Xavier Zengue in the 84th, Sporting Jax tied it up with Emil Jaaskelainen’s close-range blast in the 88th. That set the stage for Adam Luckhurst’s cross from the right and Al Qaq’s deciding header.
Quick free kicks: Kieran Sadlier scored the first goal for Sporting Jax off Jean Mota’s 19th-minute assist. … Sporting Jax (3-15-5), still last in the Eastern Conference, climbed to within two points of Brooklyn FC and four points of the Birmingham Legion.
Up next: Sporting Jax next plays Rhode Island FC at 7 p.m. Sept. 12, also at Hodges Stadium.
SPORTING JAX WOMEN
Illig nets her first: Defender Maggie Illig scored her first Gainbridge Super League goal at the 63-minute mark, giving Sporting Jax women’s soccer a 1-1 draw against DC Power FC at Audi Field.
Rally time: Sporting Jax (3-0-1), which had been perfect through three games, had to fight from behind after Claire Constant put DC Power (2-1-1) in front in the 59th minute.
Quick free kicks: Paige Kenton returned to the lineup after two games out and set up Illig’s equalizer. … Goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg was credited with four saves for Sporting Jax. … Former Sporting Jax midfielder Abby Boyan played all 90 minutes for DC Power.
Up next: The Sporting Jax women continue the fall season on the road, playing Brooklyn FC at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at Maimonides Park in New York.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Jax men win wild soccer finish. Here’s how