PHOTO | MADELINE CRUMPLER

The Charlotte Lady Eagles open the WPSL playoffs July 14 against Asheville City SC at Charlotte Christian.

The Charlotte Lady Eagles have to win Wednesday to keep their WPSL season alive.

They head back to the WPSL playoffs for the second time since joining the league in 2019 (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19). The Lady Eagles host Asheville City SC at 7 p.m. on July 14 at Charlotte Christian in the Carolinas Conference semifinals. A win and they host the conference final on July 17 at Christian.

Winning the conference is as far as the Eagles can go this season due to league structuring that eliminated regional and national competition due to COVID-19 concerns heading into the season.

Charlotte dominated the Southern, going 7-1 and securing 21 points. Asheville, who sit second in the Southern Division with 15 points at 5-1, is the only side to beat the Eagles (1-0 on June 19). The visitors conclude their regular season on July 13 against the Women's Football Club of Charlotte.

Charlotte’s biggest strength came from its returning players. They were able to maintain the core group through physically distanced training last summer as the world began to open up from COVID lockdown. Head coach Sam Hope said their chemistry is key. Another element fueling their success is players being able to stay later rather than returning to school early.

“We're getting to keep a lot more players this summer into the playoffs,” Hope said.

Three Charlotte 49ers have made their mark with the Eagles this summer: center back Kristy Campbell, midfielder Michaella Arteta and goalkeeper Emma Wakeman. 

“We’ve all been pleasantly surprised with them,” Hope said. “Kristy has been our starting center back all season. It’s probably been more important trying to get her rest. She’s been playing so many minutes for us. Michaella played well up top for us. She’s really turned it on and become an offensive threat. Emma has done great for us. We tried to split time between her and Gabby [Kouzelos]. She’s a younger goalkeeper. She’s held her own. ”

Comments