Gainbridge Super League

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 8, 2025) – The Gainbridge Super League announced today defender Sydney Studer and goalkeeper Meagan McClelland have been named to the December Team of the Month.

Studer earns her second Team of the Month selection this season after also being recognized in October, while McClelland picks up her first honor of the campaign.

Studer logged all 270 minutes of action in December, anchoring a back line that recorded two clean sheets in three matches. The center back totaled 23 clearances during the month, including a team-high 14 in a scoreless draw with DC Power on December 20. Studer currently ranks second on the team in clearances and leads Carolina in blocks, duels won, and aerial duels won.

McClelland also posted two clean sheets in December. The goalkeeper made one save in Carolina Ascent’s 1–0 victory over Brooklyn FC on December 6, marking the club’s second consecutive shutout. She capped the month with a standout performance against DC Power, recording a season-high seven saves to secure a point. McClelland now ranks among the league leaders with three clean sheets and 31 saves this season.

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ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 6, 2026) – Carolina Ascent FC announced today that forward Alyssa Walker has departed the club.

Walker, 28, appeared in 10 matches for the Ascent during the 2025 campaign, making an impact primarily off the bench and finishing the season with two goals. The attacker opened her Super League scoring account on September 13, coming on to net a second-half equalizer at Sporting Jax.

Walker scored the match-winning goal against DC Power FC to secure Carolina Ascent’s first victory of the season.

“On behalf of everyone at Carolina Ascent FC, we wish Alyssa nothing but the best as she takes the next step in her career,” shared Carolina Ascent Head Coach Philip Poole. “She showed her elite pedigree with several important goals early in the season and made a lasting impact in our locker room. Alyssa will always be welcomed back at American Legion Memorial Stadium by our fans.”

The club wishes Alyssa well in her next chapter.

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ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 23, 2025) – Carolina Ascent announced today that midfielder Maggie Pierce has been released from the club and will join Shelbourne FC of Ireland’s Women’s Premier Division.

Pierce, 24, made one appearance for the Ascent during the 2025 season, entering as a substitute in Carolina’s 2–1 road victory over Spokane Zephyr FC on October 30. She was also a member of Carolina Ascent’s W League squad this past summer.

“Maggie has been amazing since the day she arrived in our environment,” shared Carolina Ascent Head Coach Philip Poole. “It’s always a pleasure to see how much players impact those around them and Maggie has done just that. Maggie is a top player who will continue to do great things in her next endeavor.”

The move marks Pierce’s second stint with Shelbourne, where she established herself as a regular contributor from 2023–24. During that span, the midfielder made 55 starts across all competitions, scored twice, and featured in two matches in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Carolina Ascent thanks Maggie for her professionalism and contributions to the club and wishes her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her career in Ireland.

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ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 22, 2025) – Carolina Ascent FC today announced that the club has completed a permanent move for defender Brianna Martinez, following her initial loan stint from NWSL side Orlando Pride SC.

Martinez, who joined Carolina ahead of the 2025 campaign, quickly emerged as an important piece of Carolina’s back line. The defender has started 11 matches, logging over 1,000 minutes across the first half of the season.

“We are delighted to secure Bri for the rest of the season,” shared Carolina Ascent Head Coach Philip Poole. “She has been such an important player for us from the moment she arrived. Bri has had an equally impressive impact off the pitch and in the community.”

During her time on loan, Martinez has ranked among the team’s leaders, ranking top five on the team in clearances, blocks, crosses, and key passes completed.

On October 18 at Brooklyn FC, Martinez opened the scoring, burying a rebound for her first professional goal in a 2-1 victory.

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ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a USL property and a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 20, 2025) – Carolina Ascent and DC Power FC played to a scoreless draw Saturday afternoon at American Legion Memorial Stadium to cap off the fall slate of matches.

Meagan McClelland stole the show for Carolina, making a season-high seven saves to secure a point. Pending results from remaining matches on Saturday, the Ascent remain in a playoff position before the holiday break, sitting in third.

It was visiting DC that started strong. Playing a direct style, DC had freedom early playing leading scorer Gianna Gourley in behind and causing distress.

McClelland shut the door on DC’s lone shot on goal of the half. Loza Abera received the ball at the top of the box, cut on her right side, and from point blank range, forced a critical tip over the bar from Carolina’s goalkeeper in the 13th minute.

After the first 20 minutes were controlled by the visitors, the Ascent started to tilt the pitch in their favor. In the 22nd minute, Jill Aguilera feathered a through ball to Riley Parker. Parker got it on her left and from 10 yards out, just narrowly pulled it past the post.

Similar to the match last week against Dallas Trinity, Carolina was a threat from set pieces. The Ascent earned five corners in the first half and were dangerous with each of them.

In the 33rd minute, DC went back on the attack and thought they took the lead. Emily Colton forced McClelland into a save. The rebound was left lying in the six-yard box and Abera pounced on it and scored. However, the forward started after it in an offside position and the Ascent were left off the hook.

A fairly back-and-forth first 45 minutes finished scoreless and all to play for in the second half.

HALFTIME: CAROLINA ASCENT FC 0-0 DC POWER FC

DC Power turned it up a notch in the second half and dominated play for a majority of the stanza.

McClelland came up huge in the 55th minute. Gourley had time and space on the edge of the area. Her strike was thundered and bound for the top of the net, but McClelland brilliantly touched it over.

Six minutes later, she was called into action once again. Dasia Torbert cut inside and fired from a tight angle, but McClelland kicked it away for her third highlight-reel save.

Torbert continued to be a threat. She turned and fired in the 75th minute, but McClelland pawed it away with a dive for her season-high fifth save.

It was atypical day for the Carolina attack. The Ascent seemed out of sorts moving the ball up the pitch and were untraditionally sloppy breaking out of their own half.

DC maintained the upper hand late and nearly found a breakthrough in the 87th minute. Gourley picked out an unmarked Anna Bagley at the penalty spot, but McClelland charged off her line to make the save. Jenna Butler then cleared the rebound, allowing the Ascent to escape once more.

Carolina ultimately held firm through the final whistle, with McClelland’s heroics and a resolute defensive stand allowing the Ascent to head into the holiday break with a hard-earned clean sheet and a valuable point at home.

QUOTES:

Philip Poole on his team’s performance:

“I think that’s the worst performance in Carolina Ascent history. I think we’re lucky to not lose. The only real positive is we did not lose. After about 15 minutes, I thought we settled in and grew into the half. I thought we started to create chances. It doesn’t matter what level you play, if you want to let a team hang around, then you’re going to get burned.”

Poole on the impact of not having Audrey Harding today:

“We needed a player that was gonna break the game down that could isolate themselves individually. 
And look, in those one-v-one moments out wide, even the best players aren’t winning them every time. Out of ten situations, you might win three or four on a good day, with the defender taking five or six and one that’s fifty-fifty. So it’s not about Audrey beating her player again and again — it’s about what happens in the moments when she does, and the opportunities that creates for us….And look, it was unfortunate timing, of course, but my kids, my wife, my family always come before the job — that was the message to Audrey. You plan thinking the season will be over, and then it isn’t, but December 20th is your wedding day. We’re incredibly happy for her, even if it wasn’t ideal for us on our end.”

Meagan McClelland on a busier game than usual:

“Honestly, the team performs at such a high level that they make my job easy. It feels good to repay that trust and have their backs.”

Jill Aguilera on the current run of form:

“We’ve been putting together strong performances, even if the goals haven’t come as consistently as we’d like. It’s about trusting the process and knowing they’ll come. We were in a similar spot last year before we found our groove and started putting teams away, and it feels the same right now. We’re creating chances and being dangerous, it’s just that final touch that’s missing.”

DALLAS, TX (December 13, 2025) – Despite dictating the tempo and creating a host of chances, Carolina Ascent saw their two-game winning streak snapped with a 1–0 loss to Dallas Trinity FC on Saturday night at the Cotton Bowl.

Carolina Ascent dominated large portions of the match, totaling 20 total shot attempts. Against sustained Carolina pressure, Alexis Missimo scored the decisive goal for Dallas Trinity in the 65th minute. Goalkeeper Rylee Foster anchored the defensive effort, making two saves to preserve the clean sheet.

It was one-way traffic for the Ascent through the opening 30 minutes.

Rylee Baisden, continuing her strong run of form that earned November Team of the Month honors, was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half. The winger sprinted the length of the field in the 13th minute after Carolina cleared a Dallas corner, taking on her defender and rounding Foster before seeing her effort cleared off the goal line.

Foster was called into action again just two minutes later, making back-to-back saves. The second fell to Baisden, who nearly tucked the ball inside the near post from a tight angle but rattled the woodwork.

Carolina continued to apply pressure through set pieces. The visitors earned five first-half corner kicks, while Jill Aguilera’s dipping free kick in the 28th minute clipped the roof of the net.

Despite Carolina’s control, the opening 45 minutes remained cagey, as is often the case between the two sides, and the match was scoreless at the break.

HALFTIME: CAROLINA ASCENT 0–0 DALLAS TRINITY

The Ascent picked up right where they left off after the restart. Audrey Harding pulled a shot just wide of Foster’s net in the 49th minute.

Moments later, Carolina somehow failed to break through. A flurry of attempts from close range saw Dallas defenders throw their bodies in the way alongside Foster, who combined for a series of blocks before the hosts finally cleared their lines.

As the match opened up, play turned end-to-end. Mia Corbin and Mackenzie George combined with a give-and-go at the top of the box in the 60th minute, but Corbin’s left-footed strike was once again blocked by a Dallas defender.

Against the run of play, Dallas capitalized in the 65th minute. Tamara Bolt slipped in behind the defense and squared the ball for Missimo, who finished calmly from the center of the box.

Dallas nearly doubled the advantage three minutes later when Chioma Ubogagu cut inside and struck the crossbar.

Carolina pushed for an equalizer, but Dallas remained resolute in front of goal, with defenders continuing to sacrifice themselves in front of Foster.

In the closing moments, the Ascent earned one final corner. B Hylton delivered a back-post service that Alyssa Walker met with her head, but the attempt drifted just wide.

The match ended 1–0 at the Cotton Bowl, as Dallas Trinity secured their third consecutive victory and snapped Carolina’s two-game winning streak.

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QUOTES TO FOLLOW….

Philip Poole on the performance:

“I think it was a fairly dominant performance. Very quiet there for Meagan McClelland in goal, and yet we’re on the wrong side of a result. We have to look at ourselves and we have to convert the pressure into chances and the chances into goals.”

Poole on where he felt the team was most effective:

“We were very good at pushing Dallas back. We were also very good at utilizing and exploiting some of the spaces we knew would be there. It led to a lot of chances, a lot of corners, a lot of crosses. 
But it really was about converting those chances and not just applying pressure.”

Taylor Porter on the performance:

“I think all around we performed well as a team and executed our game plan 99%. The last percent is putting the goal in the back of the net. We are proud of how we are playing in general and are grinding hard to close out the fall season on a good note.”

Mackenzie George’s thoughts:

“I would say it was a game that left me far more frustrated then any games previously. We dominated all game and executed the game plan just how we wanted to and still didn’t get the result. We didn’t take enough pride in the chances we had and let one get away. Sometimes that’s how soccer is, but it’s hard to let go of three points when they should’ve been ours. In saying that, we’ve built a great foundation and I’m sure the final piece will come together next game.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 6, 2025) – Audrey Harding’s first half goal stood as the winner as Carolina Ascent shut out Brooklyn FC 1-0 on Saturday.

The win is the fourth in five games for the Ascent, who continue to climb the league standings and now sit in second place a week after the international window.

Harding, October’s Player of the Month, netted her second goal of the season in the 44th minute, finishing off a brilliant team move.

It was a first half dominated by the Ascent. Battling the cold conditions in Charlotte, it was Carolina that came out on fire.

The first half onslaught commenced in the 8th minute with Mia Corbin. Back in the starting lineup after appearing as a substitute over the past few games, last season’s leading goal scorer blasted one over the bar from just inside the penalty area.

Three minutes later, Rylee Baisden and Emily Morris completed a lovely give-and-go. Morris sprung Baisden in behind the Brooklyn defense, but her shot was fired right at Brooklyn goalkeeper Breanna Norris.

Plenty of Carolina’s successful attacks came out wide. Harding was a constant threat, taking on her defender and whipping in dangerous crosses. While no end product had come 30 minutes in, Brooklyn’s defense was under stress.

A flurry of chances came in the 35th minute. Mackenzie George played a low cross to Baisden. The winger fired with her left, ringing the crossbar. The rebound popped out to Jill Aguilera, whose shot deflected and nearly wrong-footed Norris.

Shortly after Norris pawed away another attempt from George, Carolina Ascent finally broke the deadlock in the 44th minute. Brianna Martinez played a wonderful through-ball to Corbin, who had taken up a wide position. Corbin drove forward and played a dynamite ball across the goalmouth. Brooklyn’s Jordan Thompson attempted to shoo it away, but her clearance fell right in Harding’s stride for the finish.

𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 buildup ✨
𝐵𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 finish ✨@CorbinMia finds @harding1818 who nets the opening goal for @carolinaascent just before halftime! 👏 pic.twitter.com/JlYbcKf24v

— Gainbridge Super League (@GainbridgeSL) December 6, 2025

The goal was well-deserved for Carolina’s relentless first half. The Ascent fired 13 shots and they took their one-goal lead to the break.

HALFTIME: CAROLINA ASCENT 1-0 BROOKLYN FC

Brooklyn’s best chance of the match came immediately after the restart. A bouncing ball fell into Catherine Zimmerman’s path and the forward blasted a rocket off the crossbar from 25 yards.

In the 55th minute, Aguilera whipped in a ball to the back post. Sydney Studer rose high and headed it home, but the goal was called off due to a subtle push in the back just before.

Zimmerman remained Brooklyn’s most dangerous threat and was stymied by the woodwork again in the 64th minute. Zimmerman got on her left foot and fired again from outside the box, striking the post to the left of a diving Meagan McClelland.

It was sound defending from Carolina down the stretch, leading to the club’s second clean sheet in as many games and a fourth win in five games.

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QUOTES:

Head Coach Philip Poole on the performance:

“Good to get three points at home. Good to get a shut out, which is now back-to-back, which is really important. I think the first half was our most dominant performance of the season, and the second half, we made hard work of it. 
We scored a great goal and hit the post and the bar. It’s easy to be critical of a second half, but at the end of the day, you’ve still got to push through and you’ve still got to get it done and we did that.”

Poole on the second half and continuing to try to play a complete game:

“We’re never going to be satisfied and always going to find something to improve upon. 
I think in the second half we started slow, and when you start slow, you get on the back foot, and the opponent grabs that momentum. When a team’s been pretty well beat up in the first half, and you give them a glimmer of hope, that’s something we’ll continue to improve on.”

Audrey Harding on the match:

“In the first half, we really came out firing and were really connecting as a team from top to bottom. Unfortunately in the second half, I wish we could have a redo because I don’t think it was good enough, but we did show that we can still hold ourselves and get the job done.”

Sydney Studer on back-to-back clean sheets:

“Poole always says win those boxes and that’s what my job is to win the defensive box. [Audrey’s] job is to win the offensive box. I think it also shows that this league is getting better.”

Both earn their first league honors of the season

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 3, 2025) – The Gainbridge Super League announced today that Carolina Ascent’s Jenna Butler and Rylee Baisden have been named to the league’s November Team of the Month.

This is the first league-wide recognition for Baisden in her Super League career. Butler earned Team of the Month honors in February of the inaugural season.

Butler has been a pivotal piece to a resurgent Carolina defense. The center back put in an excellent shift on November 21 at DC Power, helping the club secure its first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win. Butler is now tied for second on the team in minutes played (900) and leads the group with 66 clearances.

“We are thrilled to get the clean sheet tonight,” shared Butler after the shutout. “It feels like it has been a long time coming so to have our hard work pay off on the defensive end feels really good. We communicated well, listened to each other, and cleaned some things up from the first half to make the defense more effective in the second half and keep the clean sheet.”

Baisden continues to be incredibly effective in the scoring department. After finding the back one time in last year’s campaign, Baisden now has four goals early into this season. The winger headed home the second half game-winner in the Ascent’s win at DC Power off a lovely cross from midfielder Emily Morris.

Emo ➡️ @RyleeBaisden 🙂‍↕️

1 goal = 1,000 meals donated by @FoodLion to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina pic.twitter.com/8qmXk6Pkyj

— Carolina Ascent FC (@carolinaascent) November 22, 2025

It’s match week in the Queen City. The Ascent are back home to take on Brooklyn FC at 7 pm on Saturday night. Get your tickets HERE.

ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 3, 2025) – Carolina Ascent players made a strong impression during the international window, contributing goals, assists, and key minutes across national team duty. From decisive attacking moments to clean sheets and meaningful steps forward, the Ascent were well represented abroad.

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Aguilera’s Four-Goal Showcase, Tapia Adds an Assist

Puerto Rico rolled to a dominant 7–0 victory over St. Lucia in their CONCACAF W Qualifier Monday night, powered in large part by Carolina Ascent’s attacking duo.

Forward Jill Aguilera stole the spotlight with an emphatic four-goal performance, continuing her run as one of Puerto Rico’s most reliable scoring threats. Playing in her more advanced role with the national team, Puerto Rico’s captain netted the first goal of the match with a strong header at the back post. The 2024/25 Defender of the Year proved overwhelming for the St. Lucia back line, burying three more on the night.

Fellow forward Maria Tapia capped her first international appearance with a well-crafted assist of her own. The young academy standout impressed with her movement and link-up play, offering a promising preview of what’s to come both internationally and with the Ascent.

Goalkeeper Sydney Martinez rounded out the Carolina Ascent representation within the squad, serving as Puerto Rico’s back-up goalkeeper on the night and continuing her steady presence within the national team setup.

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B Hylton Earns Valuable Minutes With England

Midfielder B Hylton continued her upward trajectory with England’s U-20 national team, appearing in two matches during the international window.

Hylton entered as a substitute against China before earning a starting nod in their final friendly against Mexico. She logged 76 minutes in the latter fixture, continuing to showcase her growth and ability on a big stage.

It marks another meaningful step in the development of the 18-year-old Charlotte-raised midfielder.

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Burge Records Clean Sheet Against China

Goalkeeper Charlotte Burge delivered a standout performance of her own, earning the start in the United States’ matchup with China on December 2. Burge made the most of her opportunity, backstopping the U.S. U-20 women to a 1-0 clean sheet victory.

It was another encouraging sign in what has been a strong year of progression for the young American with her second call-up in a matter of months.

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ABOUT CAROLINA ASCENT FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams of the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league which kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas.

The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.