CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 6, 2025) – Carolina Ascent Football Club announced today the roster Head Coach Brooke Bingham’s 2025 USL W League squad. The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent. The Carolina Ascent USL W League season kicks off on May 11 and will run through the end of June. View the Carolina Ascent USL W League Schedule.
“This is a highly experienced team, featuring some familiar faces returning from last season, along with several top-quality additions to strengthen the squad. Erika [Duncan] & staff built significant momentum last year, and we’re excited to carry that energy into Year 2 of the USL W League season,” said Bingham. “The returning players bring not only their skill and familiarity with our program but also a deep sense of camaraderie and leadership that sets the tone both on and off the field. Our new signings complement that foundation perfectly—each one bringing unique qualities, whether it’s technical ability, tactical awareness, or sheer determination. With this blend of continuity and fresh talent, we’re entering the new season with a strong sense of purpose and belief in what we can achieve together. The standards are higher, the expectations are greater, and we’re ready to take on the W League season head-on.”
GRACE WORKMAN
This is Workman’s first season joins the Carolina Ascent W League team. Workman is entering her redshirt junior season with Liberty University, where she transferred in 2024 by way of Longwood University. In 2024, Workman appeared in 19 games for the Flames and finished the season with a record of 11-2-2. Workman made one appearance with Longwood in the 2022 season.
Workman is from Greenville, SC, where she attended JL Mann High School and was a state champion in 2019.
SEJAL JOHNSON
This is Johnson’s second season playing with the W League team. Johnson is entering her senior season at the University of Hartford. Johnson played in 20 games for the Hawks in 2024, finishing with a 15-3-2 record and a 0.58 goals against average. Johnson totaled 39 saves on the season and had nine shutouts.
Originally from Waxhaw, North Carolina, Johnson played for Weddington High School and the Charlotte Independence. In 2021, she was nominated as the Charlotte Independence Golden Glove winner. Johnson also played with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team in 2022.
RILEY PICKELS
Pickels joined Carolina Ascent on an academy contract in October 2024. Pickels is preparing for her freshman season with NC State University.
Pickels played club soccer with the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club where she is the captain of the Girls 07 ECNL team. She has earned two ECNL Mid-Atlantic All-Conference honors. As a sophomore at Hough High School, Pickels was recognized as the 2023/24 Queen City 3A/4A Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. She also received NCSCA All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State honors.
REESE DEJONG
This will be DeJong’s second season with the W League squad. As a freshman at Furman University this past season, DeJong played in 19 games, posting a 9-5-2 record and recording 60 saves on the season.
She earned accolades at the all-region, Greater Metro 4A All-Conference, second-team High School OT All-State, and third-team Charlotte Observer All-State levels while playing for Cox Mill High School. In 2023, DeJong saved 115 shots and tallied 11 shutouts for the Chargers. In club competitions, DeJong played for Charlotte Independence 05/06 ECNL squad and served as team captain for two years.
ELIZABETH NAVOLA
This will be Navola’s second season with Carolina Ascent’s W League side. Navola completed her freshman season with Wofford University in 2024. Navola finished third in the Southern Conference in saves with 87. Navola posted a 2.32 goals against average with three clean sheets.
In her four years playing varsity soccer for Christ the King Catholic High School, Navola only allowed 19 goals in 56 appearances while stopping 208 shots to record a 0.586 goals against average. Navola was named to the High School OT All-State third team and the Charlotte Observer All-State squad following the 2023 season. She graduated as a two-time state champion.
ANNA DOANE
This is Doane’s first season playing for Carolina Ascent’s W League team. Doane just completed her career at UNC Asheville, appearing in 66 games over four seasons for the Bulldogs. Doane earned honors such as 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, 2024 Big South Conference All-Tournament Team, and 2024 Big South Conference All-Conference Second Team. Doane played every minute of her junior season.
A native of Jackson, MI, Doane attended Jackson Lumen Christi for high school and played club soccer for Michigan Rush 02/03 NPL. Doane was All-State, All-Conference, and a State Champion.
ISA FRANCO
This is Franco’s second straight season representing the W League team, making six starts in 2024. Franco joined the Carolina Ascent full team on an academy contract in July 2024.
Franco has made waves in the youth ranks for the Colombia Women’s National Team. In February, Franco was rostered for a pair of U17 matches against Uruguay and was then invited to train with the U19 squad for the remainder of the international window. Franco also helped the Colombian U17 team qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup Franco played with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club 08 ECNL team and was selected for the 2023 ECNL Girls Conference Cup.
MIA MITCHELL
This is Mitchell’s second season playing for Carolina Ascent W League team. Mitchell completed her redshirt freshman season at the University of Maryland in 2024. Mitchell appeared in five matches, totaling 226 minutes.
Mitchell competed with the Jamaican U-20 National team at the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers. Mitchell played for Charlotte Soccer Academy and attended Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, SC and was a three-year varsity member. Mitchell earned 2020-21 All Region, All Conference selections and Newcomer of the Year.
KIPENZI PERRY
This is Perry’s first full season playing for Carolina Ascent W League team. Perry is preparing for her freshman season at NC State University in 2025.
From Kernersville, NC, Perry has played her club soccer for Charlotte Independence’s 06/07 ECNL Girls Academy and attends Davidson Day School. Perry also played for Carolina Ascent’s U20 team last season and was called up for one match, a 6-1 win over SC United Bantams.
KIKI MAKI
This is Maki’s first season for Carolina Ascent’s W League squad. Maki is entering her final season at the University of Virginia. Maki appeared in 19 matches this past season, starting in 14 matches. Maki scored two goals from her defensive position this past season. Maki joined the Cavaliers in 2021.
Maki is from Naples, FL and attended IMG Academy where she was ranked the #170 player in the country coming out of high school. Maki was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the Region III and Florida ODP teams, and attended U.S. Women’s Youth National ID clinic in 2021.
CAROLINE WAWAK
This will be Wawak’s first season with the W League club. Wawak is a recent commit to East Tennessee State University.
Wawak also went to South Mecklenburg High School, scoring 10 goals across three seasons. Wawak played her club soccer for 06/07 ECNL Girls Academy with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
SAMANTHA WHITAKER
This will be Whitaker’s second season playing for the W League team. Whitaker appeared in 20 matches in her sophomore year in 2024 with Western Carolina, starting 18 of them after a successful freshman season. Whitaker saw her minutes nearly quintuple from her freshman season, recording 1551 minutes of game action, earning CSC Academic All-District Team honors in the process. Whitaker helped the Catamounts win the 2023 Southern Conference Championship and started in the team’s NCAA Tournament match against the University of Alabama.
In Lincolnton, North Carolina, Whitaker was a four-year varsity player at Lincolnton High School where she scored 68 goals and collected 59 assists. Her 33 goals and 34 assists led the Wolves to the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference title as a junior. Whitaker played on the Charlotte Independence 05 ECNL squad and also played both Super Cup and a U20 summer league.
KENNEDY BELL
This is Bell’s second straight season playing for the W League squad. Bell recently transferred to Michigan State after playing for University of Maryland for two seasons. With the Terrapins, Bell earned 2023 Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. Bell amassed over 1,500 minutes in her two seasons with Maryland, starting every match. In 2024, Bell scored three goals from her defensive position.
Bell was the 34th-ranked prospect in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer. Her club soccer accolades are extensive as a two-time ECNL Conference Champion, ECNL Mid-Atlantic Co-Conference Player of the Year, and 2021-22 ECNL All-American. Bell captained her team at Charlotte Soccer Academy while also playing for Hough High School. She notched 25 goals and 20 assists for the Huskies and was named Queen City 3A/4A Conference Player of the Year in addition to her All-Conference, All-Mid Atlantic, All-State, and All-American recognitions. In 2019, Bell participated in a U.S. Youth National Team training camp.
JULIA GRIER
This will be Grier’s second consecutive season playing for the W League team.
Grier is committed to Wofford College after a successful high school career with South Mecklenburg High School. Grier has scored 47 goals and recorded 21 assists with South Mecklenburg over four seasons. Grier also plays for the Charlotte Independence 06 ECNL team.
LANEY ROUSE
This is Rouse’s first season with the W League team. Rouse finished her fifth season with the University of Virginia team in 2024. Across her five years, Rouse appeared in 75 games, starting in 54 matches. In 2024, Rouse was named an Academic All-District selection by Collegiate Sports Communicators and named to ACC Women’s Soccer All-Academic Team.
A native of Cary, NC, Rouse was ranked the No. 26 player in the IMG Academy Rankings by Top Drawer Soccer. Rouse was a member of the U14, U16, U19 and U20 U.S. Youth National Teams, competed with NC Courage Developmental Academy, and a member of the ODP Regional and State teams.
NICOLE POOLE
This is Poole’s second season with the W League team. Poole is a rising senior defender at UNC Wilmington. Across her first three seasons for the Hawks, Poole has made 24 appearances with eight starts.
Prior to playing at UNC Wilmington, Poole was a four-year letter winner for Community School of Davidson, earning All-Conference and All-Region honors. As a senior, she led the team to a perfect 18-0 record and Class 1A state title. Poole won the NC State Cup at the U14 and U15 levels and participated in several ECNL Showcase events along with the US Youth Soccer Region III Championship. She competed in international friendlies and tournaments in Sweden, Denmark, Portugal and Costa Rica.
GRACE MAYNARD
This is Maynard’s first season with the W League team. Maynard will be joining UNC Wilmington for her college career.
Maynard played for South Point High School in Belmont, NC. In her high school career, Maynard scored 10 goals in 57 games played. Maynard played her club soccer for 06/07 ECNL Girls Academy with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
SHEA STANLEY
This will be Stanley’s first season for Carolina Ascent’s W League team. Stanley is committed to play at Wofford College.
In three seasons with the varsity team with Covenant Day School in Matthews, NC, Stanley appeared in 26 matches, scoring two goals in the process. Stanley played her club soccer with the ECNL U19 team with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
MARY LIESE GRIER
This is Grier’s second straight year playing for the W League Team. Grier has completed two seasons playing for Wofford College. This past season, Grier appeared in 19 games, making eight starts. Grier scored her first career goal against VMI on October 17.
Grier played at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC. In 2022, Grier was named All-Conference and All-Region with 15 goals and nine assists. Grier’s Charlotte Independence club team qualified for ECNL Nationals in 2020 and 2021.
MAGGIE PIERCE
This is Pierce’s first season with the W League side. Pierce most recently played for Shelbourne FC in Ireland. Pierce played her college soccer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Pierce appeared in 110 total games for UNC, starting in 13 games her final season with the Tar Heels.
Pierce is from Cary, NC and attended both Cardinal Gibbons High School and Crossroads Flex High School. Pierce was finalist for N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year, a first-team high school All-America as chosen by Top Drawer Soccer, a third-team high school All-America as selected by USA Today, the News & Observer Metro Area Soccer Player of the Year and N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State and All-Region honoree. Pierce was a member of NC Courage Academy U18/19 Girls Development Academy team which won the Southeast Conference championship and advanced to GDA Nationals and was ranked in Top 50 players in U.S. in Class of 2019 IMG Academy rankings.
SHANNON STUDER
This is Studer’s second consecutive season playing for Carolina Ascent’s W League team. Studer plays for Appalachian State University, where she has appeared in 47 games across three seasons. Studer has scored six goals and recorded seven assists in her college career.
A local talent from Waxhaw, North Carolina, Studer was named Conference Player of the Year from the Central Academy of Technology Arts after recording 39 goals and 17 assists as a junior. She then focused on competing with her club team at Charlotte Soccer Academy, and received four invites to the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team Identification Center.
KENNEDY JONES
This is Jones’ second straight season playing for the W League team. Jones completed her fourth season at Elon University in 2024. Over her four years, Jones scored five goals and recorded eight assists for the Phoenix, appearing in 52 games.
Before her time at Elon, Jones competed in the Gothia Puma Cup, the world’s largest and most international youth soccer tournament, as a junior. She also earned U.S. Soccer ID2 National Camp selections in 2017. At the club level, Jones led her team to NCYSA State and U.S. National League championship titles in 2018. Playing for Providence Day School, Jones helped the Chargers to the North Carolina Independence School Athletic Association (NCISAA) state title in 2018 as well as an appearance in the state championship game in 2017. She captained Providence Day School for two seasons and was a 2018 NCISAA All-State selection, two-time CISAA First Team All-Conference honoree, and All-Region member as a freshman and a sophomore. Jones previously played for the Charlotte Independence USL W League team in 2022 and 2023.
ELIZA RICH
This is Rich’s second season appearing for the W League team. Rich is entering her senior season at NC State University. Rich has appeared in four games for the Wolfpack.
Prior to joining the Wolfpack, Rich played club soccer at Charlotte Soccer Academy.
AJ JOHNSON
This is Johnson’s first season appearing for the W League team. Johnson is committed to play at Yale University in the fall.
Johnson played for Charlotte Country Day High School and has represented Jamaica at multiple youth World Cup qualifying competitions.
MANUELA FILIPE
This is Filipe’s second straight season representing Carolina Ascent on the W League Team. Filipe played for the Charlotte Independence USL W League team in 2023 and featured in all 12 matches of the season.
Filipe, originally from Santa Maria Da Feira, Portugal, is a member of the Wingate University women’s soccer team. Filipe has played in 37 games for Wingate, scoring eight goals. She transferred to Wingate from Monroe College where she played in 11 games, scoring two goals and recording one assist in the 2022 season.
BARRETT EDISON
This is Edison’s first season with the W League team. Edison recently completed her college career with UNC Asheville. Appearing in 79 total games in her college career, Edison earned 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors. Edison last played for Cork City FC in Ireland.
From Tarboro, NC, Edison played high school soccer at Rocky Mount Academy, where she was named All-Conference for all four years.
DEMPSEY MCMAHON
This is McMahon’s first season with Carolina Ascent’s W League Team. McMahon is committed to joining the University of South Carolina’s soccer team in the fall.
McMahon plays her high school soccer at Charlotte Latin. In 2024, McMahon earned CISAA 1st Team All-Conference, NCISAA All-State, All-Observer 1st Team Forward honors.
ANNIKA WOHNER
This is Wohner’s first season with Carolina Ascent’s W League Team. Wohner completed her senior season with NC State University in 2024. With the Wolfpack, Wohner scored 16 goals across four seasons. Wohner tied for the team lead with four goals in 2024.
Wohner, originally from Poing, Germany, arrived in the United States from German club Bayern Munich. In addition, she has been a member of the German National Team program from U15-U17, last representing in September 2019 in a U17 international friendly tournament in Sweden.
KAELIN ANTRIM
This is Antrim’s first season with Carolina Ascent’s W League Team. A Class of 2026 pending graduate, Antrim is committed to play college soccer at Gardner-Webb University. Antrim plays her club soccer for Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
MORGAN SETZER
This is Setzer’s first season with Carolina Ascent’s W League Team. Setzer is set to join the University of West Georgia soccer team in the fall. Setzer plays her club soccer with the 06/07 ECNL Academy team with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
MARIA TAPIA
This will be Tapia’s first season with the W League Team. Tapia signed an academy contract with Carolina Ascent in October 2024 and has appeared for the Super League side in two games this season.
Tapia, who is from Huntersville, North Carolina, was named to the ECNL All-Conference First Team in 2024 for her impact on the Charlotte Independence ECNL squad. She was also selected for the ODP South Region Team and ODP National Team in 2024.
MARILIA NIEVES-MELCHOR
This will be Nieves-Melchor’s first season with the W League Team. Nieves-Melchor currently plays for the University of Kentucky. Nieves-Melchor appeared in six matches in her freshman season in 2024.
A native of Clover, SC, Nieves-Melchor played for Charlotte Soccer Academy and was an United Soccer Coaches All-State selection. Nieves-Melchor earned U17 ECNL First Team All-Conference honors and played for the U17 and U20 Puerto Rican National Team.
SADIE PETERSON
This is Peterson’s first season with the W League Team. Slated to graduate in the Class of 2026, Peterson is verbally committed to play at Clemson University.
Peterson attends Pine Lake Preparatory and currently plays for Charlotte Independence’s ECNL Academy team.
ANNABELLE WALKER
This is Walker’s first season with the W League Team. Walker completed her first season with UNC Charlotte in 2024, appearing in 16 matches and making seven starts. Walker made her collegiate debut as a starter in the season-opener against UNC Wilmington.
Walker is from Charlotte, NC and played high school soccer at Virginia Academy. Walker player her club soccer with NC Fusion in Greensboro, NC. Walker reached the National Playoffs four years in a row, reaching the Round of 16 in 2022 and won the 2021 USL Academy Championships.
MARIA MANOUSOS
This is Manousos’s first season with the W League Team. Manousos plays for Clemson University and is entering her fourth season. Through three years, Manousos has played in 56 games for the Tigers, scoring six goals. Manousos was a College Cup participant with the Tigers in 2023.
Manousos played her high school soccer at Weddington High School while spending her club years with Charlotte Soccer Academy. She led Weddington in goals in both her junior and senior season. Manousos earned All-Conference twice, All Region, and All-State in two years on varsity.
ALEX WOOD
This is Wood’s first season with the W League Team. Wood completed her third season with Wake Forest University in 2024. Wood has scored 12 goals in 56 total matches with the Demon Deacons.
Wood hails from Huntington Beach, CA. She played for Beach FC where she was a 2022 ECNL Southwest Conference Champion. As a senior in high school, Wood was named team captain, team MVP, Surf League Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Daily Pilot Dream Team and All-SCA First Team.
MILLA SYSKA
This is Syska’s first season with the W League Team. Syska finished up her third season at Western Carolina University. Syska has scored 14 goals across 60 total appearances for the Catamounts. In 2024, Syska became only the 8th Catamount in program history to record double-digit goals in a season.
Syska is a native of Charlotte, NC where she attended Hickory Grove Christian. Syska was named All-Conference, All-State, 2022 All-Observer Soccer Team selection, and Female Athlete of the Year. She played in 37 matches with Hickory Grove Christian, scoring 75 career goals with 34 assists.
BLUE ELLIS
This is Ellis’ first season with the W League Team. Ellis spent her undergraduate college career at Vanderbilt, where she amassed 56 appearances and scored nine goals across four seasons. As a graduate student, Ellis joined Syracuse University’s team. After getting injured in her graduate season in 2021, Ellis returned to the Orange in 2022, making 16 appearances and netting two goals. Ellis played for MFA Žalgiris in Lithuania in 2024.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Ellis moved to Collierville, TN and was a two-time state champion at Houston High School in Tennessee. Ellis totaled 51 goals and 17 assists in her career and served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. Ellis was named to the Tennessee High School Coaches Association All-State team each year (2013-2017), as well as to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South team.
CADENCE SETZER
This is Setzer’s first season with the W League Team. Setzer, a 2025 high school graduate, is set to join Georgia State University’s soccer team in the fall.
Setzer plays her club soccer for Charlotte Independence Soccer Club and played her high school soccer for Crest High School in Shelby, NC. Setzer had an incredible high school career, scoring a startling 137 goals in 56 games, including 65 goals in her junior season, ranking 10th nationally that year.
About Carolina Ascent FC USL W League:
The Carolina Ascent FC USL W League team is one of seven teams competing in the USL W League’s South Atlantic Division in 2025. The team is the pre-professional affiliate for the Carolina Ascent USL Super League squad, the Carolinas’ newest division one women’s professional soccer team. Head Coach, Brooke Bingham, leads the squad in 2025. The Carolina Ascent W League program is focused on developing local soccer talent and providing new, competitive environments for young women across the Carolinas who dream of playing professional soccer. The team’s technical and operational management are led by Affiliate, Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
About the USL W League:
The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The League and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through not only financial resources but also with time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.
