Isabel Cox birthday goal gives BKFC a win to end 2024

What a way to go into the new year: Brooklyn FC handed Dallas Trinity FC their first-ever home loss on Saturday.

"Really proud of our group, it was a hard fought match and to be able to pull a result on their pitch, is very special," said Head Coach Jessica Silva about the 0-1 win. "It’s obviously a historic stadium and it’s great to leave with 3 points."

Going into the matchup, Dallas and Brooklyn were the top two teams in USL Super League, and Dallas needed a win by at least two goals to take sole possession of the First Place spot. But after BKFC goalkeeper Neeku Purcell put forth her third shutout performance of the season, Brooklyn were able to walk away with three points to conclude the fall portion of its 2024-25 campaign.

Lockdown first half

Brooklyn showed why they have one of the best defenses in the USL Superleague.

In the first half, Dallas were setting up camp in Brooklyn's own half with a high press and much pressure when possession was lost. It seemed like Dallas would be the first to score – a strike from midfielder Samantha Meza clipping the crossbar in the 14th minute was DTFC's third shot in the match so far – but Brooklyn sat in a low block and embraced the suffering.

"The resilience we’ve built up this year and the togetherness of this group is very special. When we’re going through challenging moments, our mindset and character leads the way," Silva wrote. "I can’t say enough about our backline, they were solid and lead the way with a lot of pride and intelligence."

While the whole backline put forth a stellar performance, allowing only four shots in the first half, defender Allison Pantuso put forth an amazing effort to shut down any goals from being conceded early on.

After standing tall as the last line of defense in the 18th minute from a chance in the box, the Oregon State alumna flawlessly finished the half, winning all of her duels with three clearances and two tackles.

A present from the birthday girl

After a grueling 90 minutes of high-pressing play from DTFC and multiple chances created, Brooklyn were able to break the deadlock in the 77th minute coming from a corner whipped in by midfielder Samantha Kroeger and redirected off the head of forward Isabel Cox. With her back to the net, Cox got just enough on the ball to snag her third goal of the season and BKFC's third-straight win on the road.

With the pressure mounting, BKFC saw few chances. Along with the defensive shape they were forced to maintain throughout the whole match, a goal would only come from a counter-attacking opportunity or set-piece. The winning goal came from the latter after Cox came onto the pitch only thirteen minutes prior.

"Our objective the whole game was to get 3 points. Even when I came in later on in the game, we were playing to win," Cox wrote. "Our team was playing hard the whole game, & we definitely deserved that goal, so I’m just happy I could help put my team ahead."

After scoring from her only shot produced the entire match, Cox now sits as the second leading goal-scorer on BKFC with three goals and ranks eleventh within the league.

Where was Allie Thornton?

Dallas Trinity FC striker Allie Thornton came into Saturday's match leading the league in shots on target and currently ranks second in the league in goalscoring with six goals in thirteen appearances.

While BKFC was put on the back foot early, Thornton hardly made an impact in the game. She took only one shot the entire match, and that was snatched up in the 48th minute by Purcell.

Silva's side now have over two months until they next take the pitch, when they will travel down to Florida to face fifth-place Tampa Bay Sun FC on February 22nd. Now that a successful first half of the season is in the books, Silva wants her squad to enjoy the break and come back to football in the new year hungry for the inaugural USL Super League title.

"The Spring is a long time away; we’ve worked really hard to get to where we are. These girls are in a great mood and they deserve it! I look forward to the group getting some space and time from football and enjoying their families and friends," Silva wrote. "We’ll lock in as soon as January, but for now, it's about enjoying the process; and this is part of it!"