Cap's return: Independence W Leauge sign F Ayden Yates

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

Ayden Yates, one of three Charlotte Independence W League captains during the team's 2022 inaugural season, has signed for the 2023 campaign.

One of the Charlotte Independence USL W League team’s original captains is back.

The side announced Tuesday the signing of forward/midfielder Ayden Yates for the 2023 campaign, which starts May 21 against North Carolina Courage U-23s at Memorial Stadium. Yates, a Lake Norman Charter High graduate who plays collegiately at Virginia Tech, was one of three captains during the Independence’s 2022 debut season and started in all 12 games. She tallied 823 minutes and five goals.

“I am so excited to get back on the field with the Charlotte Independence team,” Yates said in a statement. “Last season’s success was just the beginning for this squad, and I can't wait to see the talent of our team this year. Playing with this team is the highlight of my summer, and I am fired up to get this season rolling.”

At Lake Norman Charter, Yates tallied 144 goals and 68 assists. She set the school single-season scoring record as a freshman with 45 goals and broke the single-season assist record as a junior with 26. In three high school seasons, Yates was named all-conference, all-region, and all-state each season and earned Gatorade North Carolina Girls Soccer Player of the Year in 2020.

“We are so excited to have Ayden return to us for another season. She provides us with a sense of continuity from our inaugural year as the only returning captain,” Independence coach Robyn Horner said. “She not only supports our vision, but she will work tirelessly on and off the field to help us achieve it. She gives her all, is competitive and will help us lead this squad through our second season in the USL W League.”

Yates played for the Charlotte Soccer Academy DA, where she led the team in assists and was second in goals scored during her final season. Yates helped lead the team to a State Cup title and scored in the finale.
 
 

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