2024–25 Carolina Ascent FC season
Inaugural Carolina Ascent FC season
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The 2024–25 season of Carolina Ascent FC was the team's inaugural season as a professional women's soccer team and as well as the first for the USL Super League (USLS), one of two leagues to be in the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.[1]
Head coachPhilip Poole
USLS PlayoffsSemi-finals
| 2024–25 season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Philip Poole |
| Stadium | American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina |
| USL Super League | 1st |
| USLS Playoffs | Semi-finals |
| Top goalscorer | Mia Corbin (12 goals) |
| Highest home attendance | 10,553 (Aug 17 vs. DC) |
| Lowest home attendance | 2,058 (Aug 25 vs. Lexington) |
| Average home league attendance | 4,032 |
| Biggest win | 5–0 (vs BKFC (H), April 12, 2025) |
| Biggest defeat | 0–2 (vs FTL (A), December 14, 2024) |
| All statistics correct as of 31 May 2025. | |
Current roster
- As of February 16, 2025[2]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
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.
Staff
Source:[3]
As of August 9, 2024*
| Front office | |
|---|---|
| Position | Name |
| CEO & Managing Partner |  Jim McPhilliamy |
| Technical staff | |
| Head Coach |  Philip Poole |
| Assistant General Manager | Becky Hylton |
| Assistant Coach | Erika Duncan |
| Jack Vundum | |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Lane Davis |
| Assistant Coach & IDP Manager | Melanie Thomas |
Competitions
2024-25 regular season
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 28 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 45 | 24 | +21 | 48 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 10 | +14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 14 | +7 |
Regular season standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina Ascent (S) | 28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 45 | 24 | +21 | 48 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Sun (C) | 28 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 42 | 28 | +14 | 46 | |
| 3 | Dallas Trinity | 28 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 43 | |
| 4 | Fort Lauderdale United | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 35 | 33 | +2 | 42[a] | |
| 5 | Spokane Zephyr | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 37 | 32 | +5 | 42[a] |
Source: USL Super League
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Notes:
- Head-to-head points: Fort Lauderdale 6, Spokane 3
Matches
Carolina Ascent FC played their debut season in 2024 with the following schedule:[4]
| August 17, 2024 1 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–0 | DC Power FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 6:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 10,553 Referee: Alexandra Billeter |
| August 25, 2024 2 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–1 | Lexington Sporting Club | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 2:30 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2.058 Referee: Anya Voigt |
| August 31, 2024 3 | Brooklyn FC | v | Carolina Ascent FC | New York, New York |
| Stadium: Maimonides Park | ||||
| Note: Match was rescheduled to October 15, 2024 due to field conditions at Maimonides Park. | ||||
| September 6, 2024 4 | Carolina Ascent FC | 2–1 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,251 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| September 15, 2024 5 | Spokane Zephyr FC | 0–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Spokane, Washington |
| 6:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: ONE Spokane Stadium Attendance: 2,448 Referee: Jamie Padilla |
| September 27, 2024 6 | Carolina Ascent FC | 0–0 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,543 Referee: Rebecca Pagan |
| October 6, 2024 7 | Lexington Sporting Club | 1–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 4:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 1,496 Referee: Adorae Monroy |
| October 15, 2024 3 | Brooklyn FC | 1–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | New York, New York |
| 7:30 PM EST | Report | Stadium: Commisso Soccer Stadium Attendance: 211 Referee: Danielle Chesky | ||
| Note: Match was originally scheduled for August 31 but was postponed | ||||
| October 19, 2024 8 | Carolina Ascent FC | 2–0 | Brooklyn FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,223 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| October 25, 2024 9 | Dallas Trinity FC | 2–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Dallas, Texas |
| 8:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Cotton Bowl Attendance: 3,446 Referee: Melinda Sopka Homa |
| November 3, 2024 10 | DC Power FC | 0–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Washington, D.C. |
| 1:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 1,467 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
| November 9, 2024 11 | Carolina Ascent FC | 0–0 | Spokane Zephyr FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,018 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| November 16, 2024 12 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | 2–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Tampa, Florida |
| 7:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: Riverfront Stadium Attendance: 2,805 Referee: Gerald Flores |
| November 23, 2024 13 | Carolina Ascent FC | 0–1 | Dallas Trinity FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,953 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| December 14, 2024 14 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | 2–0 | Carolina Ascent FC | Davie, Florida |
| Report |
|
Stadium: FTL UTD Stadium Attendance: 2,078 Referee: Lorenzo Hernandez |
| February 15, 2025 15 | Carolina Ascent FC | 2–1 | Lexington Sporting Club | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 1,817 Referee: Alexandra Billeter |
| February 23, 2025 16 | Carolina Ascent FC | 3–3 | DC Power FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 3:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,477 Referee: Adorae Monroy |
| March 2, 2025 17 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–2 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 3:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,044 Referee: Laura Rodriguez |
| March 8, 2025 18 | Spokane Zephyr FC | 1–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Spokane, Washington |
| 9:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: ONE Spokane Stadium Attendance: 2,015 Referee: Iryna Petrunok |
| March 15, 2025 19 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | 1–0 | Carolina Ascent FC | Tampa, Florida |
| 7:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: Riverfront Stadium Attendance: 2,401 Referee: Marie Durr |
| March 23, 2025 20 | Lexington Sporting Club | 0–4 | Carolina Ascent FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 4:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 693 Referee: Stephanie McFarland |
| March 29, 2025 21 | Carolina Ascent FC | 3–0 | Dallas Trinity FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,045 |
| April 8, 2025 22 | DC Power FC | 0–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Washington D.C. |
| 7:30 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 353 Referee: Lauren Aldrich |
| April 12, 2025 23 | Carolina Ascent FC | 5–0 | Brooklyn FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 4:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,620 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
| April 19, 2025 24 | Carolina Ascent FC | 3–0 | Spokane Zephyr FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,565 Referee: Alejo Calume |
| April 26, 2025 25 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | 2–5 | Carolina Ascent FC | Davie, Florida |
| 7:30 PM EST | Report | Stadium: FTL UTD Stadium Attendance: 2,215 Referee: Alex Beehler |
| May 17, 2025 26 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–1 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,304 Referee: Joe Surgan |
| May 24, 2025 27 | Brooklyn FC | 0–0 | Carolina Ascent FC | New York, New York |
| 6:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Maimonides Park Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Adorae Monroy |
| May 31, 2025 28 | Dallas Trinity FC | 2–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Dallas, Texas |
| 8:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: Cotton Bowl Attendance: 5,884 Referee: Jaclyn Metz |
Playoffs
| June 8, 2025 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Fort Lauderdale United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,539 Referee: Alexandra Billeter |
Statistics
Appearances
- As of match played 31 May 2025
Players with no appearances are not included on the list, italics indicate a loaned in player
| No. | Nat. | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Starts | Apps | Starts | Apps | Starts | |||
| Goalkeepers | ||||||||
| 1 | |
Megan McCelland | 18 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 17 |
| 42 | |
Samantha Leshnak Murphy | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Defenders | ||||||||
| 2 | |
Josie Studer | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 |
| 4 | |
Vicky Bruce | 20 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 19 |
| 8 | |
Emily Moxley | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 12 | |
Sydney Studer | 22 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 21 |
| 13 | |
Addisyn Merrick | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19 |
| 20 | |
Jenna Butler | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| 21 | |
Renée Guion | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 |
| 27 | |
Annika Creel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Midfielders | ||||||||
| 3 | |
Giovanna DeMarco | 17 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 12 |
| 7 |  |
Jill Aguilera | 27 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 26 |
| 14 | |
Taylor Porter | 28 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 28 |
| 15 |  |
Kathrynn González | 22 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 13 |
| 17 |  |
Eli Hutchinson | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 |
| 19 | |
Ashlynn Serepca | 25 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 10 |
| 22 | |
Chloe Hylton | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| 25 | |
Sarah Troccoli | 19 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 16 |
| Forwards | ||||||||
| 5 |  |
Jaydah Bedoya | 23 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 8 |
| 6 | |
Maria Tapia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | |
Mia Corbin | 27 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 27 |
| 10 | |
Rylee Baisden | 20 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 16 |
| 11 | |
Jaida McGrew | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 18 | |
Audrey Harding | 20 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 18 |
| 23 | |
Riley Parker | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| 70 | |
Stella Spitzer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Departed during season | ||||||||
| 24 |  |
Opeyemi Ajakaye | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Goalscorers
- Last updated 31 May 2025
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Mia Corbin | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | |
Audrey Harding | 5 | 0 | 5 |
|
Eli Hutchinson | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| 4 | |
Sarah Troccoli | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | |
Jaydah Bedoya | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
Renée Guion | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
|
Ashlynn Serepca | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
|
Jill Aguilera | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
|
Jenna Butler | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 10 | |
Rylee Baisden | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Vicky Bruce | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Sydney Studer | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Riley Parker | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Addisyn Merrick | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Chloe Hylton | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Own Goals | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| Total | 45 | 0 | 45 | ||
Assists
- Last updated 31 May 2025
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Jill Aguilera | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | |
Audrey Harding | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | |
Taylor Porter | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | |
Rylee Baisden | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | |
Josie Studer | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | |
Jaydah Bedoya | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Vicky Bruce | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Addisyn Merrick | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Riley Parker | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Eli Hutchinson | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Mia Corbin | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Riley Parker | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
Kathrynn González | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 29 | 0 | 29 | ||
Clean sheets
- Last updated 31 May 2025
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Regular Season | Playoffs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Megan McCelland | 6 | 0 | 6 |
|
Samantha Leshnak Murphy | 6 | 0 | 6 | |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||
Disciplinary record
- As of final match played 31 May 2025
- Player name(s) in italics transferred out mid-season.
| Name | Regular Season | Playoffs | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | | | | | |
| Vicky Bruce | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Sydney Studer | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Giovanna DeMarco | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Taylor Porter | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Sarah Troccoli | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Rylee Baisden | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Mia Corbin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Ashlynn Serepca | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Audrey Harding | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Samantha Leshnak Murphy |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Riley Parker | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jill Aguilera | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jaydah Bedoya | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Renée Guion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jaida McGrew | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Addisyn Merrick | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Josie Studer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Riley Parker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |