Carolina Ascent FC

Last updated

Carolina Ascent FC
Carolina Ascent logo.png
FoundedMay 16, 2023;2 years ago (2023-05-16)
Stadium American Legion Memorial Stadium
Capacity10,500
Head coachPhilip Poole
League USL Super League
Website www.carolinaascent.com
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Carolina Ascent Football Club is an American professional women's soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in the USL Super League (USLS). The club also features an affiliate team in the USL W League (USLW), which began play in summer 2024.

Contents

History

Charlotte was named as one of the eight team locations in the USL Super League on May 16, 2023. [1] The team name was announced on March 21, 2024. [2] The Ascent named USWNT assistant coach, Philip Poole, as the head coach in January 2024. [3]

The club announced its plans for a USL W League affiliate on December 13, 2023. [4] The team follows the Charlotte Independence women's team which featured in the 2022 and 2023 W League seasons. [5] Erika Duncan, who was an assistant coach with the W League's Charlotte Independence during its two seasons, served as the W League team's inaugural head coach for the 2024 W League season before transitioning to her role as assistant coach for the Super League team. [6]

Inaugural season

Carolina made history by playing in the inaugural match of the USL Super League, where Vicky Bruce scored the league's and the club's first-ever goal. Renee Guion also become the first player in the league to receive a yellow card. Carolina secured a 1-0 victory against DC Power FC. During their second game, Carolina tied 1-1 against Lexington SC.

Sponsorship

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor (front)Shirt sponsor (back)Sleeve sponsorRef.
2024–present Capelli Sport Nucor Novant Health N/A [7]

Players and staff

Current roster

As of August 20, 2025 [8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Meagan McClelland
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Brianna Martinez (on loan from Orlando Pride)
3 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Giovanna DeMarco
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Vicky Bruce
7 MF Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  PUR Jill Aguilera
8 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Emily Moxley
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Mia Corbin
10 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Rylee Baisden
11 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Luana Grabias
12 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sydney Studer
13 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Addisyn Merrick
14 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Taylor Porter (captain)
15 GK Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  PUR Sydney Martinez
16 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Charlotte Burge
No.Pos.NationPlayer
17 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Alyssa Walker
18 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Audrey Harding
19 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Meaghan Nally
20 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jenna Butler
21 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Macey Bader
22 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG B Hylton
23 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Riley Parker
24 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Emily Morris
25 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sarah Troccoli
28 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Maggie Pierce
31 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Mackenzie George
70 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Stella Spitzer
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Maddie Mercado (on loan from Seattle Reign)

Academy players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
6 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Maria Tapia
26 DF Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Isa Franco

Former players

For details of former players, see Category:Carolina Ascent FC players and List of Carolina Ascent FC players.

Staff

As of August 9, 2024*

Front office
PositionName
CEO & Managing Partner Flag of the United States.svg Jim McPhilliamy
Technical staff
Head Coach Flag of the United States.svg Philip Poole

Honors

Records

Year-by-year

First team

As of April 20, 2025
SeasonLeagueDivisionRegular seasonPlayoffs
PWDLGFGAGDPts.Pos.
USL W South Atlantic127143610+26223rdDid not qualify
202425 USL Super League -2412753819+19431stSemifinals

Second team

SeasonLeagueDivisionRegular seasonPlayoffs
PWDLGFGAGDPts.Pos.
USL W South Atlantic115243023+7175thDid not qualify

Team records

As of July 2, 2025. [9] [10] Current players in bold. Statistics are updated once a year after the conclusion of the USL Super League season.
Most appearances
PlayerAppearances
#NameNat.Pos.Ascent careerUSLSPlayoffsTotal
1 Jill Aguilera Flag of Puerto Rico.svg DF 2024–28129
Mia Corbin Flag of the United States.svg FW 2024–28129
Taylor Porter Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024–28129
4 Ashlynn Serepca Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024–202525025
5 Sydney Studer Flag of the United States.svg DF 2024–23124
6 Jaydah Bedoya Flag of Ecuador.svg FW 2024–202522123
Kathrynn González Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg MF 2024–202522123
8 Audrey Harding Flag of the United States.svg FW 2024–20121
Rylee Baisden Flag of the United States.svg FW 2024–20121
10 Vicky Bruce Flag of the United States.svg DF 2024–20020
Addisyn Merrick Flag of the United States.svg DF 2024–19120
Sarah Troccoli Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024–19120
Top goalscorers
PlayerGoals scored
#NameNat.Pos.Ascent careerUSLSPlayoffsTotal
1 Mia Corbin Flag of the United States.svg FW 2024–12012
2 Audrey Harding Flag of the United States.svg FW 2024–505
Eli Hutchinson Flag of Israel.svg FW 2024–2025505
4 Jaydah Bedoya Flag of Ecuador.svg FW 2024–2025303
Sarah Troccoli Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024–303
6 Jill Aguilera Flag of Puerto Rico.svg DF 2024–202
Jenna Butler Flag of the United States.svg DF 2025–202
Renée Guion Flag of the United States.svg DF 2024–202
Ashlynn Serepca Flag of the United States.svg MF 2024–2025202

References

  1. Spanberg, Erik (May 16, 2023). "Why Dan DiMicco is backing addition of women's pro team to Charlotte Independence roster". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. Puente, Nathaniel (March 21, 2024). "Carolina Ascent FC chosen as name for Charlotte women's pro soccer team". WCNC . Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. "Philip Poole named Super League Carolina's head coach". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. "Super League Carolina Announces USL W League Team and Tryout Date for 2024". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  5. Mahoney, Ashley (May 16, 2023). "New women's professional soccer team coming to Charlotte". axios.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  6. "Super League Carolina Welcomes Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. "Carolina Ascent FC Welcomes Novant Health as Official Healthcare Provider". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  8. "Roster Archive". Carolina Ascent FC.
  9. "Summary - Carolina Ascent - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  10. "Carolina Ascent FC Player Stats". USL Super League. Retrieved June 29, 2025.