By Olivia Clark
The Tampa Bay Sun FC marked a defining moment in franchise history on March 18 as the club raised its first national championship banner at Suncoast Credit Union Field in downtown Tampa. The pregame ceremony, held during Women’s Empowerment Night, celebrated the team’s groundbreaking inaugural title and solidified its place in the growing landscape of women’s professional soccer.
The banner unveiling came at a pivotal time in the Sun’s season. Just days earlier, the team battled through a physical contest against Carolina Ascent FC, ultimately falling 1-0 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite the loss, the performance underscored the resilience and competitive identity that fueled the championship run.
“The ladies played a really strong performance in a tough environment against a good team, and we created a lot of chances,” said Denise Schilte-Brown, head coach of Tampa Bay Sun FC. “I think there’s a lot to build on. We are never happy with not getting points, but the team performed well, and I am proud of them.”
That same determination was front and center as the organization shifted its focus from a hard-fought loss to a celebratory milestone. The raising of the championship banner represented more than a past achievement; it signaled the standard the team now holds itself to in moving forward.
Players echoed that mindset following the Carolina match, emphasizing both accountability and optimism.
“I was honored to get the start,” said forward Faith Webber, who made her first professional appearance. “I was hoping to help us earn three points, so I was disappointed about that.”
Forward Madi Parsons highlighted the team’s ability to stay composed under pressure, a trait that defined its title-winning campaign.
“We have a game plan, and one of my biggest strengths is holding up that ball and getting into tackles like that,” said Parsons. “It’s just buying into that game plan and continuing to stay locked in in games like this. We had so many chances tonight, so that gives us energy to keep going, no matter what the scoreline is.”
As the banner rose, it served as both a celebration and a challenge, a visible reminder of what the Sun has accomplished and what it expects to achieve again. For fans, players and the Tampa Bay community, March 18 represented the continuation of something bigger than a single season: the establishment of a championship culture.
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