The pre-professional women’s team finished 4-5-3 in their inaugural season.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 6, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence Women’s USL W League team announced today that Head Coach, Robyn Horner and Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan will once again lead Charlotte’s only women’s pre-professional soccer team. In 2022, the team’s inaugural season, they led the club to an overall record of 4-5-3 and finished 4th in the USL W League’s South Atlantic Division.
“We are excited to have Robyn and Erika back leading our USL W League team for its second season,” stated Charlotte Independence USL W League General Manager, Greg Ashton. “We hope to take the lessons we learned from both on and off the field last year and show progress in those areas this season. We have looked to add some experience to the team and have attracted some new, young talent that will help raise the level of the group. Robyn and Erika will provide the consistency we need to continue to grow the culture within the team as we compete in the extremely challenging South Atlantic Division and push to make the playoffs this season.”
Horner joined the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club in 2019 as the Director of Goalkeeping and Head Coach. In her first year, she coached her U19 girls team to an undefeated season and a State Cup Championship.
“I’m elated that season two is finally here! Coach Erika and I looked at each other after the end of the season last summer and said, “season 2 starts now,” explained Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “We’ve been working for the last several months to put together a team of girls that we know will proudly represent the Independence crest and what it stands for. We are excited to welcome the girls into Charlotte in the next few weeks and continue building upon the successes we had last season.”
Before joining the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, Horner coached at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C. She was the Assistant Coach for two years, during which she helped the Falcons win a Conference Carolinas Championship in 2013. Horner was promoted as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach in 2015. She led the program for four years with an overall record of 39-26-3 which included two Conference Semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2016.
Duncan joined the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club in 2022 and worked with the Girls ECNL Regional League North Teams in addition to her role as Assistant Coach for the USL W League Team.
“I am incredibly excited for our second season playing in the USL W League,” stated Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan. “We have some key players returning to the team and have added some very talented players who will take our play to the next level. We had a competitive season last summer where we built a strong foundation, and this season, we will be looking to build on that foundation to compete for a championship. I can’t wait to get back on the field with these young women!”
Before coming to the Independence, Duncan spent nine seasons as the assistant coach for Division I Marshall University Women’s Soccer. In addition to her time at Marshall, she worked with the West Virginia Futbol Club from 2011-2021. She was named the 2021 West Virginia Soccer Association Girl’s Competitive Coach of the Year. As Head Coach, the U19 girls were National President’s Cup Finalists and East Regional President’s Cup Champions. Duncan also coached teams to State Cup Championships in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
The Charlotte Independence Women’s USL W League team kicks off their 2023 season on Sunday, May 21. The women will host NC Courage U-23 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. First kick is set for 5:00 p.m. View the full schedule.
