It feels like just yesterday that the Carolina Ascent FC ran onto the scene. Now, the Queen City's first professional women’s soccer team is preparing to begin its second season atop the Gainbridge Super League — and they’re already reaching new heights.

Editor's note: This year, the USL Super League rebranded as the Gainbridge Super League.

Setting the bar

In the club's inaugural year, they:

Finished first in the league and earned the Players’ Shield, the league's top honor
Vicky Bruce scored the USL Super League's first goal
17-year-old B. Hylton became the club’s youngest scorer
Stella Spitzer became the youngest professional player in US women’s soccer history at 14 years old

"We established an identity that we were hard to beat and we're able to score goals," Head Coach Philip Poole told CLTtoday. "We scored the most goals in the [Gainbridge Super League] and we conceded the least. So we want to continue that trend."

Mia Corbin is one of the USL Super League's top scorers. | Photo via Carolina Ascent FC

Leadership on the field

Poole continues to lead the squad with Forwards Mia Corbin and Rylee Baisden returning to the field, along with Team Captain/Midfielder Taylor Porter. You'll remember Corbin was last season’s top scorer.

"Our ultimate goal is to win the league and to win the championship," Corbin told CLTtoday. "Individual success is team success."

Season details

The team's sophomore season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 30, on the road against Fort Lauderdale United + the first home match is Saturday, Sept. 6, against Tampa Bay Sun FC. Tickets start at $18 and on sale now.

Pro tip: All matches will stream on Peacock.