USL Super League

DALLAS, TX (May 31, 2025) – Carolina Ascent’s eight game unbeaten streak came to an end Saturday night as they fell to Dallas Trinity FC 2-1 in the regular season finale. #5 Jaydah Bedoya scored the lone goal for Carolina Ascent.

The win secured a playoff spot for Dallas Trinity FC on the league’s final day of the regular season.

It was a fast start for both teams. Carolina Ascent’s #23 Riley Parker fired away at #1 Madison White 30 seconds into the match, forcing a diving save. In the 5th minute, Dallas’ #5 Julia Dorsey forced goalkeeper #42 Samantha Leshnak Murphy into a diving save right at her post.

It would be the home side who opened the scoring in the 20th minute. #20 Allie Thornton leaped and headed home a #16 Tamara Bolt cross to take the solo lead for the Golden Boot race with her 13th goal of the season.

Carolina Ascent had some quality chances late in the first half through #18 Audrey Harding. The winger chested down a cross and volleyed just over the bar in the 32nd minute and in the 45th minute, her header went just wide off a Parker clipped cross.

Dallas Trinity headed to the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Carolina Ascent started the second half well, playing in Dallas Trinity territory and creating chances. #17 Eli Hutchinson missed just wide in the 48th minute.

However, Dallas was able to extend their lead in the 54th minute. #17 Gracie Brian released a ball to #14 Chioma Ubogagu, who won the race to the ball cut inside and beat Leshnak Murphy against the grain.

Carolina Ascent made an array of substitutions looking to get back into it, bringing on Bedoya, #19 Ashlynn Serepca, and #10 Rylee Baisden.

Dallas still continued to have the stronger of chances, looking to build on their lead. Thornton missed just wide in the 65th minute and #9 Lucy Shepherd’s effort from outside the box in the 77th minute also just missed the post. Dallas, holding on for the three points and the opportunity to clinch, did not allow Carolina Ascent’s offense to create seamless opportunities.

However, the visitors left the Cotton Bowl faithful biting their nails at the end. In the 93rd minute, a bouncing ball following an Aguilera corner fell to Bedoya, who lashed a volley into the net and cutting the lead to one.

Carolina Ascent pressed for a stunning equalizer, but an offside thwarted their attack and Dallas saw the game out to make the playoffs.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Philip Poole on tonight’s match:

“I think tonight we saw the best of Dallas. For the third time this season, Dallas changed formation against us and it took a few minutes in the first half to adjust. It was a good performance by Dallas that needed a result and they got one tonight.”

Poole on the team’s level heading into the playoffs:

“We created a lot of chances, we know we have some things that we need to do better, but we created some great chances during the game. A little uncharacteristic with some aspects of our defending, but overall, we’re healthy, we’re fit, and we’re ready to go to the playoffs.”

Jaydah Bedoya on scoring tonight:

“It felt great to get on the scoresheet tonight. Any time you can contribute offensively, especially at this point in the season, it gives you a bit of momentum and confidence. But more importantly, it’s about doing the little things right and sticking to what makes us successful as a team. Hopefully, we can carry that energy into the playoffs and I can keep helping the group any way I can.”

Jenna Butler on now entering the playoffs:

“Tonight didn’t go how we wanted it to but there’s a lot to learn from and improve on after this game. As we enter postseason, our confidence levels are high going into this next week of training and first round of playoffs.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 16, 2025) – Carolina Ascent FC today revealed their official kits for the upcoming 2025-26 Gainbridge Super League season. Named the “Kits of the Carolinas,” the home and away uniforms pay tribute to the diverse beauty of the Carolinas and will be worn throughout the club’s 28-game campaign, announced earlier this month. The kits are building off the 2024/-25 kits, which were the best selling jerseys in the USL Super League.

Returning for a second season, the “Trailblazer Kit 2.0” will serve as the club’s home uniform. The bold design highlights one of North Carolina’s most iconic landmarks—the Grandfather Mountain Bridge—set beneath one of the region’s signature sunsets. Vibrant colors and scenic details reflect the pride and passion of Carolina Ascent supporters across the Carolinas. The Trailblazer Kit received the 2024 GOAL CHAMPIONS Award for Kit of the Year.

The “Coastal Kit 2.0” will once again feature as the club’s away look. At its center is a breathtaking Carolina shoreline sunset, capturing the magic of the region’s eastern coast. A tribute to Myrtle Beach also makes its mark, where over 19 million visitors go each year to enjoy the great coastal lifestyle and the outdoors. The sight lines of the boardwalk and its famous Ferris wheel are integrated into the jersey’s artwork.

The “Kits of the Carolinas” are now available for pre-order at CarolinaAscent.com. Lock in your season tickets for 2025-26 and see these kits in person!

About Carolina Ascent FC

Carolina Ascent FC is one of the eight initial teams of the USL Super League, a new 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. To join the climb and receive information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CarolinaAscent.com.

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 29, 2025) – Carolina Ascent FC vaulted themselves into pole position in the USL Super League standings Saturday night, defeating Dallas Trinity FC 3-0 in front of 3,025 supporters at American Legion Memorial Stadium. #9 Mia Corbin netted two more goals and #17 Eli Hutchinson scored her second goal in three starts.

In a battle of two current playoff teams, it was Carolina Ascent that put together an inspired and energetic first half.

Generating nine shots, controlling nearly 60% of possession, and creating five corner kicks, the home side turned their attacking efforts into two first half goals.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 19th minute. In-form winger #18 Audrey Harding drove past Dallas Trinity defender #5 Julia Dorsey, cut a cross back into the box and onto the outstretched foot of Hutchinson, who touched it through goalkeeper #1 Madison White’s legs.

Four minutes later, following a #7 Jill Aguilera corner, Hutchinson volleyed a low cross back across the box and Corbin buried it from the six-yard box to make it 2-0 Carolina Ascent.

Carolina Ascent did not waste time making it three out of the halftime break. In the 53rd minute, #23 Riley Parker beautifully turned on Dallas Trinity’s #6 Deborah Abiodun, drove into the box before Abiodun took her down from behind. Corbin stepped up to the penalty spot and slotted away her ninth goal of the season, tying her for the league lead.

Dallas Trinity attempted to muster up scoring chances and get back in the match, but the Carolina Ascent defense was sturdy all night. Goalkeeper #42 Samantha Leshnak Murphy kept the clean sheet alive early in the second half, making herself big and closing the door on attacker #16 Tamara Bolt.

Carolina Ascent’s pressure and high line gave Dallas Trinity fits all night and finished it off with their second consecutive clean sheet, shutting out the league’s highest scoring team in a dominant effort in Charlotte.

QUOTES:

Coach Philip Poole on his team’s impressive performance:

“From the first whistle to the last, we were in control of the game. We had very few lapses, which is good for us. The big thing we have talked about in the past few weeks is finishing our chances, so I am really happy for us.”

Poole on the team’s mentality:

“The players are working so hard. They are pushing each other and lifting each other up. And that is what is important.”

Eli Hutchinson on the team’s outburst of goals the past two games:

“I think the goals are starting to flow. We have been knocking on the door for a while and now, we are putting them in the back for the net and it’s obviously huge for us.”

Captain Taylor Porter on the team’s success through pressure:

“We are a high press team. We are never going to let up the whole 90 minutes, no matter how tired we are, and that is the key to our success is never letting up.”

LEXINGTON, KY (March 23, 2025) – Carolina Ascent FC scored a club-high four goals and preserved a clean sheet, knocking off Lexington SC 4-0 on the road in wet conditions on Sunday afternoon.

#18 Audrey Harding had two goals and #9 Mia Corbin and #23 Riley Parker each added one in the victory.

It was Carolina Ascent that brought the rain themselves in the first half. 15 shots in the first 45 minutes made for a dominant half for the visitors. With those 15 shots, three clinical goals gave the team breathing room, something they haven’t had much of this Spring.

It started fast as Parker scored her first Carolina Ascent goal in the 2nd minute. #20 Jenna Butler did excellent work driving past her defender and her deflected cross fell to the feet of Parker, who was left just to tap it into the open net.

Carolina Ascent made Lexington pay for their mistakes out of the back. Corbin scored her team-leading 7th goal of the season in the 19th minute, finishing calmly into the bottom corner after a bad Lexington turnover in their own box.

In the 26th minute, again Lexington were sloppy in possession and Harding cooly chipped Lexington goalkeeper #1 Sarah Cox for her first goal of the season and a 3-0 lead for Carolina Ascent.

Carolina Ascent did well to kill the game in the second half and keep the clean sheet. They made it a four-goal game in the 62nd minute as #7 Jill Aguilera slipped through Harding, who provided a left-footed near post finish for her second goal of the game.

Lexington had opportunities to find a goal late as #17 Cori Sullivan hit the crossbar in the 73rd minute and a minute later, Aguilera saved a strike off the line to keep it 4-0. Carolina Ascent maintained the shutout for the game’s remainder for the four-goal win.

The three points brings Carolina Ascent back to third place in the standings and only one point back of Fort Lauderdale United FC and Brooklyn FC.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Philip Poole on his team’s first half:

“I think after our slow start against Tampa, we’ve had several fast starts prior to Tampa, and it was something our players were disappointed in, so it was good to get off to a fast start.”

Poole on a club-high four goals scored:

“We’ve talked about the fact that if we keep doing the right things, keep working in training, we know at some point some of these chances are going to go in. And despite the four goals, we could’ve had several more. So, we haven’t turned the corner yet. We are going to continue to work.”

Riley Parker on her first goal and the team’s start to the game:

“I’m so excited to get my first goal with Carolina Ascent. It was huge to have that start to the game and then continue to put goals away in the first half. We are getting better and better each game and we’ll look to have the same kind of start and results for the games to come.”

Audrey Harding on her confidence level after her two-goal performance:

“It was great to finally get some goals! Even since the Fall, I was super close and then got injured and was out the rest of the Fall season. So coming back this Spring, I had a higher standard for myself because I know what I’m capable of and I just want to help us win. My confidence is definitely up and I feel like since getting the goals today, I’ve unlocked the door to more.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (February 15, 2025) – Two first half goals were enough as the Carolina Ascent FC defeated Lexington SC 2-1 on a wet, rainy Spring home opener night at American Memorial Legion Stadium.

Carolina Ascent started the game on time, immediately putting Lexington SC on their heels. Carolina Ascent new signing #23 Riley Parker slipped through forward #9 Mia Corbin for an early opportunity in the 2nd minute, sending a low strike from the edge of the box just by Lexington goalkeeper #21 Bridgette Skiba’s far post.

Some deserved fortune for their strong start, Carolina Ascent took a 1-0 lead just a minute later as Lexington defender #5 Madison Perez’s pass back to Skiba eluded the goalkeeper and rolled into the empty net.

A continuance of Carolina Ascent’s scoring chances led to them doubling the score. In the 34th minute, #10 Rylee Baisden set up the underlapping fullback #13 Addisyn Merrick, who centered to the top of the six-yard box for an open Corbin to finish into the back of the net.

Corbin nearly made it 3-0 twice before halftime. In the 41st minute, a weaving run and through ball from #18 Audrey Harding to Corbin was stopped by Skiba from 15 yards out. One minute later, #25 Sarah Troccoli nodded down #14 Taylor Porter’s in-swinging corner kick into the path of Corbin, whose turning volley thundered against the crossbar.

Carolina Ascent continued the pressure early into the second half. In the 52nd minute, #7 Jill Aguilera set up Baisden on a cross to the back post, but Baisden’s first-time shot soared over the crossbar. In the 79th minute, second half substitute #15 Kathrynn Gonzalez blistered a strike from 20 yards out, beating Skiba but catching the crossbar.

The game changed in the 82nd minute as Lexington SC forward and half-time substitute #13 Hannah Richardson’s shot from outside the box deflected off defender #4 Vicky Bruce and wrong-footed goalkeeper #1 Meagan McClelland to make it 2-1.

From there, Lexington SC found momentum and put enormous pressure on the Carolina Ascent backline for the remainder of the game. McClelland saved Richardson’s short-side attempt in the 88th minute and punched away Richardson’s dangerous cross in the 95th minute to seal a 2-1 Carolina Ascent victory.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Philip Poole on not finishing more chances:

“We need to put the third and the fourth and the fifth away and, you know, you’ve seen too many of these games where they get one and then the last 10 minutes is a little bit different than it should have been.”

Poole on the message to the team coming in:

“Let’s get back to business. Let’s get back on the front foot. To lose your last game of the Fall, you want to get back to business the next day and when you have a break like that, it’s frustrating. I’m glad we were the aggressor in the game.”

Forward Mia Corbin on the fluidity in attack:

“I feel like we had a lot to work on when we left in December. We really worked on transitional moments. That’s part of why we brought (Riley) Parker in, to mix it up. It’s still new, it wasn’t perfect tonight, but that’s also a good positive.”

Forward Riley Parker on making her debut:

“It’s easy to get lost in the moment. Before the first whistle, I was just taking in my new uniform and new teammates and the hard work we put in this past month and a half. It’s a really special moment and I am lucky to have joined a club that has welcomed me with open arms.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: 

Carolina Ascent FC host DC Power Football Club on February 23 at 3:00 pm at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tickets start at $22 and are on sale now at CarolinaAscent.com/Tickets.