Sporting JAX came from behind to beat Tampa Bay Sun FC 3–2 in USL Super League action on Saturday, with Baylee DeSmit's second-half brace proving the difference. Shea Connors opened the scoring for the visitors, while Ashlyn Puerta and DeSmit struck for the hosts. Jordan Zade pulled one back late for Tampa Bay, but it wasn't enough.

Tampa Bay Sun FC took control in the first half. Connors broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, finishing off a Sydny Nasello assist to give the visitors a deserved lead heading into the break. Sophie Jones picked up a yellow card three minutes later for Sporting JAX, capping a frustrating opening 45 minutes for the home side.

The second half was a different story. Puerta leveled things just a minute after the restart, converting from a Jones delivery to make it 1–1. Sporting JAX kept pushing, and DeSmit put them ahead in the 60th minute with a goal set up by Meg Hughes. Ten minutes later, DeSmit doubled her tally — this time fed by Coco Thistle — to extend the lead to 3–1 and effectively seal the result.

Tampa Bay refused to go quietly. Zade found the net in the 76th minute off a Tori Waldeck assist, cutting the deficit to one and injecting late tension into the contest. But Sporting JAX held firm through the closing stages to secure all three points.

The win gives Sporting JAX valuable momentum early in the season and leaves Tampa Bay Sun FC searching for answers after squandering a first-half lead on the road.