CHARLOTTE EAGLES AND ASHEVILLE CITY SC FACE OFF FOR THIRD TIME THIS SEASON WITH CAROLINAS CONFERENCE TITLE ON THE LINE

Photo Credits:  Asheville City SC Media

Asheville City SC and the Charlotte Eagles both finished the regular season with a 7-0-1 record and 22 points, forcing a goal differential tiebreaker to determine table position. Ultimately the Eagles came out on top, but now the two face each other in the most important game of the season yet. Wednesday, July 14, the two meet one last time for a Carolinas Conference semi-final showdown and a spot in the Carolinas Conference Championship game to be played July 17 or 18.

Both sides have been impressive all season and match up perfectly side-by-side. The only loss on each of their records comes from each other and both sides have been perfect at home - each only conceding one goal on home turf. For this semi-final match, the Eagles will host Asheville City.

The Eagles have had four days to recover and prepare since their last match on July 10 where they ended the regular season on a high note beating Women’s Football Club of Charlotte 4-0.

Asheville City has had three days away from competition, playing their last match on July 11 with a 3-0 victory over Independence Central – scoring all three goals within 15 minutes at the start of the second half.

Asheville City SC head coach Carolyn Warhaftig explained that recruiting talented players with high soccer IQs has been part of their success.

“When you have essentially an 8-week season, you don’t have time to build the foundation,” Warhaftig said. “You need players who already understand the game at a certain level.”

That strategy led to clean sheets in all but two of their regular-season matches. Asheville’s backline and starting goalkeeper Michaela Moran have been impressive all season, only allowing four goals.

Offensively, the team found the back of the net 17 times this season - second best in the conference. Eight players have contributed to Asheville’s goals including Furman University graduate Molly Dwyer and University of North Carolina at Asheville graduate Chloe McCleary-Small who have both contributed to 11 of the 17 goals scored. Dwyer has scored six goals while recording two assists and McCleary-Small has found the back of the net three times.

The Eagles have been impressive offensively as well with over 15 players contributing to the 24 goals scored. University of Florida freshman Madeline Rhodes has been a force offensively all season scoring three goals and leading the Eagles with six assists. High Point University junior Skyler Prillaman and Clemson midfielder Kimber Haley have each scored two goals and two assists on the season.

The goal of each side heading into postseason is, of course, to win and we are guaranteed to see a battle through the final whistle but for Asheville City, Warhaftig said their focus continues to be what it has been all season - celebrating each other, picking each other up and finding ways to continuously improve individually, which ultimately makes the team better. In the end, she said the team’s character is what she’s most proud of.
 

“Through their efforts on the field, and their openness and connection off the field, they've created something incredibly special--they've created a positive, passionate, inclusive community and a team that I am beyond proud to be a part of.”

Asheville City SC will travel to Charlotte and face the Eagles at Charlotte Christian School at 7:00 pm EST.

Watch the match live on Eleven Sports, the official streaming partner of the WPSL.

   Katie Parker;  @KatieParkerTV (Twitter)
   WPSL Contributor - South Region