CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – From the rise of Charlotte FC to the numerous international soccer games at Bank of America Stadium, the Queen City has undoubtedly evolved into a soccer town in recent years.

Now it is time for the women’s football team to get involved.

Carolina Ascent FC is ready to begin its first season in the USL Super League, a new professional women’s soccer league designed to compete with the existing National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

This is the first professional women’s soccer team to ever play in Charlotte, and the first professional women’s team since the dissolution of the WNBA team Charlotte Sting in 2007.

The coaches and players of Ascent FC are extremely proud to be part of the return of women’s professional sports to the Queen City.

“What an exciting challenge, isn’t it? To build something from the ground up,” said manager Philip Poole. “To build something new and give this city a professional women’s sports team. Or better yet, a soccer team.”

Carolina Ascent FC’s mantra is “Together we win.” That message has a deeper meaning for the players on this roster who have a close connection to the Carolinas.

“We want to have a group of players that understand what it means to be from this city, to represent this city and to dig a little deeper,” manager Philip Poole said. “We want (the team) to have a connection to our community.”

Ascent FC features several players from the Charlotte area, many of whom have spent the majority of their professional careers overseas in Europe and Australia.

The opportunity to continue their careers not only in the United States but also in their hometowns means something very special to these players.

“Being close to family is such a huge benefit,” said Ashlynn Serepca, Ascent FC midfielder and Cornelius native. “Families can now see their daughters play, which they may not have been able to do before… it’s an incredible advancement in this sport.”

A step that wasn’t available for players like Serepca when she was growing up in the area. Local players say it’s very special for them to now be the first professional players in their hometowns and hopefully be an inspiration to the next generation of young girls playing soccer in Charlotte.

“We never really had female footballers in this area to look up to,” said Serepca. “For us, it’s even more than just our team. We want to give something back to the little girls who are now sitting in the stands and in the spotlight to look up to.”

Carolina Ascent FC will begin its inaugural season at home against DC Power at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m.

The club announced that around 7,500 tickets have already been sold for this opening game for the 9,500-seat stadium.

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