Carolina Ascent continues rise through standings as USL’s second half beckons

The 2025-26 season’s halfway mark finds Carolina Ascent FC with 20 points in the Gainbridge Super League, good enough for third place but five points behind Sporting JAX and four back of Lexington SC. Fresh signings and 14 matches remaining give the team plenty of runway to climb in the standings.

These five storylines will shape Carolina’s pursuit this spring:

Championship-caliber talent joins the roster

The Ascent reinforced its attack Jan. 15 with Ava Cook, a forward who spent four seasons with the Chicago Stars in the NWSL. She appeared in 62 matches between regular season and Challenge Cup action, scoring six goals.

Eight days later, Carolina secured midfielder Lily Nabet, who arrived after spending this season on loan at Fort Lauderdale United. Angel City FC drafted her 36th overall in 2022, and she compiled 47 appearances in the NWSL before her loan move.

The club announced the signing of another headliner, midfielder Shea Groom, on Wednesday. Coach Philip Poole said he believes she will be “the most impactful player in (the) USL Super League.”

Groom, 32, was the 12th overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft out of Texas A&M, selected by FC Kansas City. She has also played for Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC), Seattle Reign FC, Houston Dash and Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL, most recently in 2025. In all, Groom has played in 171 NWSL matches.

“I’m excited to continue my career and be able to help build a club that has already accomplished so much,“ Groom said in a statement. “What’s happening here is special, and I feel privileged to be a part of this story. I can’t wait to write more history here in Charlotte.”

Added Poole: “Shea is a top player who is a massive signing for Carolina Ascent. She is going to have a big impact throughout the club and the community. I am personally looking forward to watching her show her qualities in front of our amazing fans.”

In addition to adding Cook, Nabet and Groom, the Ascent finalized Brianna Martinez’s transfer from Orlando Pride SC on Dec. 22, converting her loan into a permanent deal.

“The intent is pretty clear,” Poole said. “We’re here to win the championship. We’re here to win the Player’s Shield. What’s the point in showing up otherwise?”

Meanwhile, Carolina said farewell to forward Alyssa Walker on Jan. 6. Walker logged 10 appearances and two goals, most notably the winner versus DC Power FC for the team’s first victory of the season. Midfielder Maggie Pierce moved to Ireland’s Shelbourne FC on Dec. 23 after one appearance for the Ascent.

Enhanced fan experience targets new audiences

Carolina spent recent months researching how to engage new fans while bringing back those who had attended games in the past. Chief Communications Officer Jan Ivey said the club conducted a research project with UNC Charlotte and felt obligated to act on the findings.

“Someone taught me a long time ago: Don’t ask questions if you aren’t prepared to answer them,” Ivey said. “So we can’t ask for all this research and then not address them.”

The club introduced a new ticketing platform, which offers lower service fees. Carolina will also launch a team-specific app pending final developer approval.

“We’re trying to make it simple, easy, entertaining for our fans to come to the games,” Ivey said. “One place, one-stop shopping for information.”

The Ascent will offer $19 tickets as an entry point for new fans. Ivey called it “a good introductory tool” based on the research findings.

“We don’t want people to be thinking that price is going to prohibit them from experiencing this beautiful product,” Ivey said.

Carolina also plans to invest more heavily in halftime entertainment and in-stadium engagement.

“Part of our job is certainly the sports side, but it’s also the entertainment side,” Ivey said. “We want people to come out to the stadium and forget about whatever’s going on. It’s their time to escape. We just want an opportunity to give somebody a few hours of joy.”

On Monday, Carolina announced a partnership with OrthoCarolina and Tryon Medical to elevate medical services for the team.

Poole’s aggressive approach defines team identity

Poole collected October Coach of the Month honors Nov. 5, adding to his 2024/25 Coach of the Year title. The recognition marks his third monthly award in two seasons.

Carolina sat in the bottom half of the standings entering October but vaulted to third after going unbeaten in four matches, capturing three wins, including the club’s first two road victories.

Poole deployed an aggressive, coordinated press that forced turnovers in dangerous areas and created scoring chances. The tactical shift delivered better midfield control and limited opponents’ quality looks.

His philosophy centers on staying “on the front foot” rather than playing conservatively.

“We’re not going to try and keep something close. We’re going to try and win,” Poole said. “That’s, for me, the way the game should be played. We lead the league in certain attacking categories. You’re always going to get a game that’s exciting to watch.”

The aggressive style reflects a broader mission beyond wins and losses.

“I want my daughters to see that. These women kick (butt), and they get after it,” Poole said. “As our city’s only women’s professional sports team, you’re going to get a team you can be proud of. We’re not a slow defensive team that’s going to sit in and try and catch you with a counter punch. We’re actually going to try and end it in the first round.”

Despite leading several offensive categories, Carolina’s plus-one goal differential falls short of Poole’s expectations.

“It’s fine, but it’s not for me,” Poole said. “We’re leading several categories of chances created, touches in the box, corners created. It’s all well and good, but there’s one category that we want to lead, which is being top of the table and scoring the most goals.”

Back line dominance earns monthly recognition

Carolina’s defense fueled the climb to third place, and the monthly honors prove it. December brought league honors for defender Sydney Studer and goalkeeper Meagan McClelland, both landing spots on the Team of the Month.

Studer played every minute of December’s three matches, helping anchor a defense that delivered two clean sheets. Her 23 clearances for the month included 14 in a Dec. 20 scoreless draw with DC Power.

McClelland made one stop in Carolina’s 1-0 triumph over Brooklyn FC on Dec. 6, the club’s second straight shutout. She then capped the month with a season-best seven saves against DC Power.

In November, Jenna Butler and Rylee Baisden earned Team of the Month distinctions. October’s Team of the Month featured Jill Aguilera and Studer.

Aguilera stands alone as the only player to play in every minute this season.

Critical stretch against playoff contenders

Carolina opens the spring schedule Jan. 31 at first-place Sporting JAX. The home opener follows at 2 p.m. Feb. 7, when second-place Lexington SC visits American Legion Memorial Stadium. The match also streams on Peacock.

With Dallas Trinity FC visiting Feb. 21, Carolina faces three playoff contenders in their opening four-game stretch. Dallas Trinity sits level with Carolina at 20 points but has played one fewer match.

“There’s no hiding in our league,” Poole said. “There’s not 30 teams. The best thing about American women’s soccer is (in) our league, any team can beat any team. It’s a slog over 28 regular-season games, and you don’t get a week off where you play a crappy team, and you get three points for showing up.”

Poole emphasized the importance of maintaining team identity regardless of upcoming results.

“As long as my team looks like my team, I’m happy,” Poole said. “As long as we’re front-footed, going for a first-round win, being aggressive, if we look like us, then we’ll get that 5-1 start, or 6-0 start, or 3-1 start that’s required.”