Tampa Bay Sun can’t dig out of early deficit against DC Power

Q: What were the key moments in the Tampa Bay Sun vs DC Power match?

The key moments were DC Power scoring two early goals, with Alyssa Walker netting the first in the 18th minute and Dasia Torbert adding a second shortly after.

Q: How did the Tampa Bay Sun perform against DC Power historically before this match?

Before this match, the Tampa Bay Sun had an unbeaten record against DC Power.

Q: Who assisted Dasia Torbert's goal in the match between Tampa Bay Sun and DC Power?

Dasia Torbert's goal was assisted by former Sun defender Paige Almendariz.

Tampa Bay Sun goalkeeper Emory Wegener makes a save during Saturday night's loss to DC Power at Suncoast Credit Union Field in Tampa. ©Mike Carlson

Despite entering the night unbeaten all-time against DC, the Sun conceded two early goals that would set the tone for the rest of Saturday’s game.

“It’s two teams fighting for every point. It was aggressive, and it really just came down to who got on the board first,” Sun striker Faith Webber said after the 2-0 loss at Suncoast Credit Union Field.

DC (7-9-8) wasted no time jumping out to a quick start, with forward Alyssa Walker finding the net in the 18th minute. Just six minutes later, DC struck again, on midfielder Dasia Torbert’s header, assisted by former Sun defender Paige Almendariz.

Almendariz, who joined the Power in the offseason, was honored pregame when she received her USL Super League championship ring in her return to Tampa.

“It’s nice to see familiar faces, but when the game starts, you’re not really friends,” said Sun captain Jordyn Listro with a laugh.

While possession time was about even, with Tampa Bay (4-10-9) holding a slight edge at 51.6%, the Sun had several opportunities at the goal line, but struggled against a stingy DC defense.

“We had so many looks on goal. It’s just frustrating,” Tampa Bay head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said.

Schilte-Brown said her team “dominated the second half,” creating chances but failing to convert.

“We had nothing to lose at that point, so everyone just gave it their all and didn’t think too much, just went based on instinct, and you could see that,” Listro added.

The loss comes after a strong stretch for the Sun, who saw both Webber and defender Taylor Chism named to the Gainbridge Super League’s Team of the Month for March.

“I was very grateful. Whenever you get an award, a personal award, it’s always a team award,” said Webber.

Despite Saturday’s result, the team remained focused on staying resilient.

“There’ll be no step backwards. There’ll be no loss of determination, fight, belief; this team is going to continue to push, not just for ourselves, but for everybody that supports us,” Schilte-Brown said.

The Power, meanwhile, sit just outside the playoff picture in fifth place. The Sun have five regular-season games remaining, including two at home (April 25 vs. Carolina, May 9 vs. Dallas).