W League News

Carolina Ascent W League Team Drops Opener at NC Courage

May 13, 2026 by Harrison Clark

CARY, NC (May 13, 2026) – The Carolina Ascent W League season started with a loss in Cary Wednesday afternoon, falling to NC Courage U23s 6-0 at Koka Booth Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The Ascent were unable to respond after an early penalty was given to the Courage. The hosts added four goals in the second half to finish the job as the W League kicked off in the South Atlantic Division.

Back for another year with the W League side, goalkeeper Reese DeJong came up big just five minutes in for the Ascent, making an excellent save right in front to deny the Courage from taking an early advantage.

Courage’s Katie Richter looked to pounce in transition in the 14th minute. The forward drove into the box and earned a penalty, being taken down by Allison Casey. After earning the foul, Richter stepped up to bury it herself, giving the Courage a lead.

The Ascent’s first chance came in the 19th minute. High school phenom Blane McElroy set up Puerto Rico international Maria Tapia on the edge of the area, but her shot was pushed away.

The Courage doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Helena Andrzejewski let fly from 20 yards, stinging the top corner to put the hosts up two.

The Courage came quickly out of the blocks after half-time and poured onto their lead in the second half. Madison Casteen cut onto her left foot and fired into the top corner early in the stanza and Richter bagged her brace in the 55th minute with a rocket hitting the underside of the crossbar.

Cali O’Neill and Riley Kennedy added two more before all was said and done, handing the Ascent a loss in their first match of the W League campaign.

Carolina Ascent W League Announces 2026 Roster

May 13, 2026 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 13, 2026) – The Carolina Ascent W League team today announced their full roster for the 2026 W League season. Head Coach Brooke Bingham selected a total of 33 players eligible to compete in the squad’s 10-game schedule. Below are the selected players.

GOALKEEPERS

Bingham brings in five goalkeepers, including Furman goalkeeper Reese DeJong, who backstopped the W League team much of last season. Riley Pickels was on an academy contract with Carolina Ascent for part of 2024.

Blythe Clark
Reese DeJong
Emma Kirlin
Riley Pickels
Elizabeth Rupert

DEFENDERS

The back line is made up of many options, including four players (Franco, Maynard, McMahon, and Wawak) who have made Carolina Ascent W League rosters in the past. Franco is currently also part of the senior Carolina Ascent team on an academy contract.

Allison Casey
Lily Devereaux
Angel Fowler
Isa Franco
Grace Maynard
Dempsey McMahon
Jasmine Nixon
Fernanda Ribeiro
Caroline Wawak

MIDFIELDERS

A deep group was selected to man the middle of the pitch. Julia Greer from Wofford College returns for her third go-round with the W League team, while young highly-touted Blane McElroy of nearby Providence Day High School joins for the first time.

Sadie Commerford
Morgan Delair
Julia Grier
Zoie Kempf
Blane McElory
Aimy Nunez
Rina Ogimoto
Tori Paul
Lia Puma
Maria Rayburn
Sarah Sexton

FORWARDS

The attacking group has strong roots within the W League team itself. Sadie Peterson and Maria Tapia led the team in scoring in 2025 (Tapia with nine goals and Peterson with seven). Tapia brings plenty of experience, playing on an academy contract with the primary squad and earning senior caps for the Puerto Rico national team this year.

Brooklyn Broderick
Tyler Clyburn
Aaryn Gabriel
Devin McElroy
Hannah Morgan
Sadie Peterson
Maria Tapia
Julia Thasaphong

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.

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.

Carolina Ascent W-League and Academy Tryout Dates Announced

December 12, 2025 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 12, 2025) – Carolina Ascent FC announced today the official tryout dates for the club’s 2026 USL W League squad and Girls Academy U-20 team. Both sessions will be held on January 3, 2026, with on-site check-in and evaluations taking place at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Location is currently being confirmed and is subject to change.)

USL W League Tryouts

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Location: American Legion Memorial Stadium*
Eligibility: Players born 1995–2009

10:30 AM: Check-in
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Tryout session

Girls Academy U-20 Tryouts

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Location: American Legion Memorial Stadium*

1:30 PM: Check-in
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Tryout session

*Location will be finalized and communicated to all registrants should any changes occur.

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.

About the USL W League:

Carolina Ascent W League Team Ties NC Courage 3-3

June 24, 2025 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (June 24, 2025) – Carolina Ascent and NC Courage’s W League squads battled to a 3-3 draw Tuesday night in Charlotte.

Annika Wohner found the back of the net twice and Sadie Peterson added another in the back-and-forth match.

It was Carolina Ascent that struck early in the sixth minute. Wohner got on the end of a pretty cross from Dempsey McMahon, nodding it into the corner for her fourth goal of the season.

Carolina Ascent doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Milla Syska got taken in the box and Wohner buried it from the spot for her second of the half.

NC Courage picked up their play late in the half. They tested Carolina Ascent goalkeeper Sejal Johnson twice late in the half, but the University of Hartford goalie dove to her right both times to make the save.

After Johnson stopped the first two, Courage’s Amaris Bumba headed home a corner to cut the deficit in half in the 44th minute.

And in first half stoppage time, the Courage struck again to tie it. Ivy Garner fired from 12 yards out, going bar down to equalize.

A four-goal first half concluded tied 2-2.

Johnson started the second half with a strong near post save to keep it tied.

Carolina Ascent had some quality chances in the middle of the half, firing just wide on multiple occasions.

Finally, the go-ahead goal came. Sadie Peterson found the back of the net in the 85th minute, giving the hosts the lead.

However, similar to the first half, the Courage had an answer. The visitors scored on their second set piece of the night in the 91st minute, deflecting it by Johnson to knot the game at three.

The high-scoring affair finished a 3-3 stalemate.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Carolina Ascent W League finish off their season on June 29th against South Georgia Tormenta at Hough High School.

Carolina Ascent W League Fall Short at Home to Charlotte Eagles

June 21, 2025 by murraym3

CORNELIUS, N.C. (June 21, 2025) – The Carolina Ascent W League squad fell short to the Charlotte Eagles 1-3 in Saturday’s match at Hough High School.

The match started off with strong offensive play from both sides, with both Carolina Ascent and Eagles getting great chances on goal.

The Charlotte Eagles started the scoring early, putting two in the back of the net within the first 25 minutes.

In the 31st minute, Kiki Maki created a great opportunity for Carolina Ascent with a corner kick, but the Eagles keeper was able to make the crucial save.

Both teams headed into the locker room, with the Eagles up by two.

Carolina Ascent started to pick up strong momentum in the second half, starting with a goal from #6 Maria Tapia. Driving down the left side of the field, Tapia beat her defender with a cut into the center of the field, and drove her shot to the bottom left of the goal, flying past the goalkeeper.

With Tapia’s ninth goal of the season in the 51st minute, she was able to bring Carolina Ascent back within one goal.

In the 80th minute, the Eagles put another one in the back of the net, to make the score 1-3.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Carolina Ascent W League will be at home at Hough High School, to face the NC Courage U23’s for the second time this season. The match will take place on Tuesday, June 24, at 6:30pm.

Carolina Ascent W League Falls to South Georgia Tormenta FC USLW in Away Matchup

May 31, 2025 by murraym3

STATESBORO, G.A. (May 31, 2025) – The Carolina Ascent W League fell short in their road match versus South Georgia Tormenta FC USLW.

South Georgia Tormenta FC started the scoring in the match with an early goal in the 3rd minute.

#1 Grace Workman notched her first save of the night by making a diving stop in the 13th minute.

After making a dash forward from a breakaway, #15 Barrett Edison earned the first corner kick of the match, 17 minutes into play.

In the 26th minute, South Georgia Tormenta FC placed another goal in the back of the net, making the score 0-2.

With a strong shot from #12 Milla Syska in the 41st minute, the Ascent started to pick up momentum. Seconds after, in the 42nd minute, #3 Dempsey McMahon created a counterattack after intercepting a pass. She then laid the ball off to #6 Maria Tapia, where Tapia hit a rocket from outside of the penalty area, to put the Ascent within one going into the half.

The beginning of the second half consisted of strong offensive play from both sides, with Sejal Johnson making manycrucial saves.

After a strong build-up and consistent passing, #24 Kennedy Jones had a great look on goal, but her shot missed just wide right.

In the 80th minute, SGTFC was given a penalty kick, and they were able to capitalize, making the final score 1-3.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Carolina Ascent W League will travel to Ting Park in Holly Springs, to face Wake FC for the second time this season. The match will take place on Wednesday, June 4, at 4:30pm.

Carolina Ascent W League Team Draw 2-2 to Charlotte Eagles

May 23, 2025 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 23, 2025) – Carolina Ascent W League Team scored deep into second halftime stoppage time to salvage a draw against fellow Queen City foe Charlotte Eagles 2-2 on Friday night at Matthews Sportsplex.

It was the Charlotte Eagles that got on the scoreboard first. In the 15th minute, #19 Halle Engle cut inside and fired a rocket just inside the post, leaving Carolina Ascent goalkeeper #40 Reese DeJong rooted to her spot.

The Eagles had the better of the play for much of the first half. Thanks in large part to strong hold-up play in the midfield, Carolina Ascent was not able to turn over their fellow Queen City opponent often in their own half. When Carolina Ascent was in possession, they could not get in behind a fortified Eagles defensive line.

DeJong had to come up big nine minutes before the half time whistle, diving full stretch to her right to deny a great scoring chance for the Eagles.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead to the halftime intermission.

The Eagles doubled their advantage in the 67th minute, getting their head on a pretty corner kick.

However, Carolina Ascent had a rapid response. Substitute #16 Blue Ellis placed a volley from the top of the box into the bottom corner to cut the lead in half.

Carolina Ascent continued to put the pressure on, looking for a late equalizer. After surviving a strong chance from the Eagles in the 76th minute, Carolina Ascent had their big moment and knotted the score on the last kick of the game.

#6 Maria Tapia cut inside from her right wing position and her teasing cross was touched home by defender #3 Dempsey McMahon to tie the game, effectively ending the match at a 2-2 stalemate.

Carolina Ascent W League Team Holds On for 2-1 Win over Wake FC

May 21, 2025 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 20, 2025) – Two first-half goals held up as the difference as Carolina Ascent W League Team secured a 2-1 win over Wake Futbol Club on Tuesday night at Hough High School.

Carolina Ascent got off to a strong start, scoring the icebreaker in the 11th minute. #3 Dempsey McMahon found #11 Sadie Peterson who tapped it in for her fifth goal of the young season.

Eight minutes after #6 Maria Tapia nearly doubled the score after firing off the goal post, Carolina Ascent found the second. #10 Annika Wohner scored her second goal in as many matches, set up by #21 Shannon Studer.

The strong first half set Carolina Ascent up for their second win of the season heading into the second half with a two-goal lead.

Wake FC would not go quietly however. The visitors got a goal back in the 60th minute, making for a nerve-wracking final 30 minutes.

The visitors continued to push for the equalizer.

However, Carolina Ascent goalkeeper #40 Reese DeJong was strong when called upon. The Furman netminder made two crucial stops in the 70th minute and 87th minute and those saves were enough for Carolina Ascent to hold on and secure their second win of the year.

Carolina Ascent will look to win their third match of the season next time out as they take on the Charlotte Eagles Friday night at Matthews Sportsplex at 5:30 pm.

Carolina Ascent W League Team Falls to South Carolina United

May 17, 2025 by Harrison Clark

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 17, 2025) – Carolina Ascent USL W League Team fell to South Carolina United 1-3 on a scorching afternoon in Charlotte on Saturday. #10 Annika Wohner scored Carolina Ascent’s lone goal.

Neither team could muster up any serious opportunities in the first 40 minutes.

South Carolina United had the first great scoring chance of the match. #40 Reese DeJong made an excellent kick save and the open net rebound was sent over the top by the visitors, keeping the game scoreless.

Carolina Ascent found the breakthrough in the 43rd minute. Left back #17 Jacey Race broke down her defender and slipped it into the middle to the captain Wohner, who beautifully one-timed a curling effort into the bottom corner.

The score remained 1-0 into the halftime respite and both teams headed to the locker rooms for a much needed break on a very hot day in Charlotte.

South Carolina United came out strong to start the second stanza. DeJong made a sharp save immediately into the second half, catching a strike from 15 yards out.

In the 56th minute, they equalized. Isabella DeMarco slid a shot underneath DeJong to knot the match up at 1.

South Carolina United continued on the attack and took the lead. The visitors were dangerous on the counter all match, getting in behind the Carolina Ascent back line. Megan Bradley slipped a ball into Anna Manning who buried it into the top corner in the 70th minute.

Carolina Ascent battled to find an equalizer, but South Carolina United set up a strong wall, not allowing many shots on goal. The best chance came from Rase, who skimmed the crossbar in the 78th minute.

South Carolina United got their insurance goal in the 85th minute. Again, on the counterattack, Bradley got in behind Carolina Ascent’s defense and made no mistake, finishing past DeJong to give the road side a 3-1 lead.

That lead would hold until the referee blew the final whistle, marking Carolina Ascent’s first loss of the season.