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University of Arkansas commit is also a member of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 18, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team today announced the signing of Midfielder Zoe Susi ahead of its inaugural 2022 campaign. Susi competes for the ‘04 Charlotte Independence ECNL Girls team and was named to the 2021 ECNL U17 Mid-Atlantic First Team All-Conference. She has committed to play collegiate soccer at the University of Arkansas, home of the reigning SEC Champions.

“Zoe has had a great career in our ECNL program and locally within the state of North Carolina for her high school,” explained Charlotte Independence Women’s Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “We are very happy to sign her to our first W-League roster. She is a great student of the game, with a high soccer IQ. Her talents and abilities on the ball are not only why she was so highly recruited out of our club, but also a part of what will make her such a great addition to our team.”

Susi plays high school soccer at Wilkes Central High School in Wilkesboro, N.C. where she’s scored 125 goals and tallied 65 assists throughout her career. She’s been a two-time North Carolina All-Region Selection, two-time North Carolina All-State Selection and two-time Conference Player of the Year. 

“I am super excited to be surrounded by an amazing group of talented women who will constantly push me to be better everyday and prepare me for the next level,” stated Susi.

As a Freshman, Susi scored the second most goals in North Carolina State history and was named the 2019 Mountain Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She is currently ranked the number 34 player in the South Atlantic Region by Top Drawer Soccer. 

Susi is also a three-time ODP Region 3 Team Member, a three-time ODP National Team Training Invitee and played on the 2019 Region III International Team.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/2022-womens-usl-w-league-schedule/.

Alexander plays collegiate soccer at College of Charleston and is a former member of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 16, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team announced today the signing of Forward Mary Alexander. Alexander is a Freshman at College of Charleston where she plays on the women’s soccer team. She is a former member of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club’s Girls’ ECNL program.

“Mary is another player who has spent her entire club career with the Independence youth system,” explained Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team. “She’s a dynamic attacking player that can play anywhere in the midfield or upfront. She has the ability to break down defenders in 1v1 situations. Having experienced a season of college soccer, Mary will be a great addition to our attacking options this Summer.”

Alexander started in 13 of 16 appearances last Fall with the Cougars and tallied two points on two assists for the season with nine shots on goal.

In 2021, Alexander graduated from Davidson Day School after breaking the program’s scoring record with 134 career goals. She played six seasons on the Varsity soccer team and was named All-State five times. 

“I am so excited to be signing with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team this Summer,” stated Alexander. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to play with some former teammates and to be involved with the club again.”

Alexander led her team to the State Semifinals as a Sophomore and the State Quarterfinals as a Senior.
The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/schedule-uslw.

Appalachian State University commit is also a member of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 14, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team today announced the signing of Forward Michaela Deas for the 2022 season. She plays ECNL soccer for the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club and recently committed to play Division I collegiate soccer at Appalachian State University.

“Michaela has demonstrated her ability to score goals at every level she has played,” explained Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team. “She is capable of creating opportunities for herself with her runs off the ball and also provides high quality finishing when presented with opportunities for her teammates. We look forward to seeing her be a goal scoring threat this Summer.”

Deas plays for the ‘04 Charlotte Independence Girls ECNL team which competes in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. Previously, she spent seven years with the Lake Norman Soccer Club who won back to back North Carolina State Championships in 2018 and 2019.

As a Junior Deas led the Community of School of Davidson to a 2021 State Championship. She was named MVP, Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State after scoring 30 goals and notching 18 assists. Deas was also named All-Conference and All-Region with the Lady Spartans as a Freshman in 2019. 

When asked what she’s looking forward to most about joining the USL W League team, Deas stated, “I’m excited to play in the W League this Summer. This experience will definitely help prepare me for the collegiate level!”

From September 2017 to March 2018, Deas attended three U.S. National ID Camps in addition to other U.S. Market Training opportunities.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/schedule-uslw.

Thillet was called up to the Puerto Rico National Team in 2017 and 2019.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 2, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team announced today that they have signed defender, Mia Thillet, for the club’s inaugural 2022 season. Thillet played with Puerto Rico National Team in 2017 and 2019 and won the 2017 US Youth Soccer Championship with the ‘98 Charlotte Independence South club team.

“We are excited to have Mia back this Summer. She will be another core contributor to the veterans of our squad this season with deep roots in the Independence youth system,” explained Charlotte Independence Women’s Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “She is a great local talent that grew up in our club and continues to produce positive results for the various teams she has played for. Mia is another perfect example of our women’s player pathway to the semi-pro level. She will provide us with experience and stability on defense, and we will look to her local and international experience to lead us through our first season.”

Thillet recently graduated from NC State University where she competed on the women’s soccer team from 2018-2021. She appeared in 31 games for the Wolfpack, tallied three assists and recorded 1,072 minutes played. At NC State University, Thillet was a two-time Top Ten CAT Scholar Athlete.

“I am so excited for the chance to continue playing soccer after my collegiate career has ended,” explained Thillet. “I am looking forward to getting to know all the talented and hardworking women who are on the roster this season. I cannot wait to see what this team accomplishes this Summer!”

Thillet, who was born in Puerto Rico, was first called up to the National Team in 2017. She was called up for a second time in 2019 where she joined a pool of 22 players on a 9 day tour involving training and friendlies.

Additionally, Thillet led the Charlotte Independence to two consecutive US Youth Soccer Regional Championship titles in 2016 and 2017. The team won the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championship. In 2015, Thillet went to Costa Rica with the Region Three ODP Team and won the International Cup.

Before college, Thillet attended Providence High School in Charlotte, N.C. In 2017, she earned 4A All-State honors and was named Conference Player of the Year. Thillet was a three-time All-Conference selection who led the Panthers to a 2016 State Championship and a 2015 Runner-Up finish.

“The chance to provide a hometown opportunity to Mia Thillet is so good to see,” stated Charlotte Independence President and COO, Tim Schuldt. “It’s what we hoped the W League would do for us, provide more opportunities for women to chase their dreams on and off the field. We welcome Mia home and to the Charlotte Independence W League team!”

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/schedule-uslw.

Flanders was a two-time Captain of the Charlotte Independence WPSL team.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 1, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team today announced the signing of their first player, Kelly Flanders, ahead of the inaugural 2022 season. Flanders competed with the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club as a youth player and was a two-time captain of the Charlotte Independence WPSL squad where she competed from 2016-2021.

“We are thrilled to have Kelly sign with us again. She is a veteran within our club and will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to our team as we head into our first season with the W League,” explained Charlotte Independence Women’s Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “Having grown up in the club, and having played with us for the past few Summers in our semi-pro leagues, she understands the values of the club and the level of play that is required to be competitive. Having a player like Kelly will help us tremendously as we look to set positive examples, not only for our team standards, but to also show a strong example of our player pathway from youth to semi-pro to the women of the Charlotte Independence.”

Flanders was a four-year starter at Appalachian State University from 2014-2017. As a Freshman, she started all 19 games at the back line for the Mountaineers and was second on the team in minutes played with 1,702. Flanders started in all 20 games as a defender during her Sophomore campaign and was third on the team in minutes logged (1,775). She was one of only nine players to log more than 1,000 minutes that season.

“It is an honor to represent the Charlotte Independence and my youth club in the W-League this Summer,” said Flanders. “I am thrilled to be a part of the growing opportunities for elite women soccer players. I hope that we will leave a mark on our city, the game, each other, and the many women athletes to come. Let’s get after it! #WeAreCLT #ForTheW”

In her Junior season, Flanders appeared and started in all 20 games and notched one goal and two assists for four points on the season. She was fourth on the team in shots on goal (12). Flanders captained the Mountaineers during her Senior season where she started in 16 of 19 games and logged 1,508 minutes.

Flanders attended Hopewell High School in Charlotte, N.C. where she was a four-year letter winner. She received All-Conference and All-Region honors during her Sophomore and Junior seasons. Flanders concluded her high school career with 45 goals and 13 assists. 

“As we approach the season, we’re excited to share the amazing and talented women who will be representing the Charlotte Independence in the W League,” stated Charlotte Independence President and COO, Tim Schuldt. “We’re excited that the pathway we are creating is providing new opportunities for our current and former academy players like Kelly Flanders. We’re pumped to see her in action at American Legion Memorial Stadium!”

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/schedule-uslw.