Charlotte Independence W League add 6 midfielders

MONROE COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Manuela Baptista Filipe of Monroe College (right) is one of six midfielders signed by the Charlotte Independence W League team for 2023.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League squad is stacking midfielders ahead of the season opener.

The Independence signed six for 2023: Olivia Simon (Appalachian State), Ella Hauser (Clemson), Avenley Monteith (Appalachian State), Manuela Baptista (Monroe College) Isabel Aguilar (Montreat) and Caroline Peters (Wingate). The team kicks off its season against North Carolina Courage U-23s May 21 at Memorial Stadium. Game time is 5 p.m.

“These middies are going to do a great job for us. We are very excited about the new mix of players that we found either through our tryout, from our youth club, from prestigious local programs, or contacts that connected us,” Charlotte coach Robyn Horner said in a statement. “There is a great mix of technical, tactical, power and speed, and they are a testament to our overall network of colleagues.”

More on the signees:

• Simon, who just finished her high school soccer career at Cuthbertson High, spent six years as an ECNL player and was nominated for the Clash of the Carolinas all-star showcase.

As team captain at Cuthbertson, Simon earned all-state as well as conference and Region Player of the Year. She also represented Cuthberston at the inugural Charlotte FC Captains Academy Program.

“I’m super excited to be signing with the team this year! I can’t wait to be surrounded and challenged by high level players,” Simon said. “I also can’t wait to see what all the team accomplishes in their second season.”

• Hauser, a junior at Clemson, finished the 2022 college season with two starts in 13 appearances. At Hough High, she averaged 1.5 goals per game for the Huskies.

Hauser played club soccer at Charlotte Soccer Academy and ECNL for three years. She was a 2021 ECNL semifinalist and a 2019 State Cup winner.

“I can’t wait to get the season started,” Hauser said. “I’m so excited to compete alongside an amazing team and coaching staff.”

• Monteith is an incoming freshman at Appalachian State and will begin playing for the Mountaineers this upcoming season.

At Liberty Prep Christian in Cornelius, Monteith was a three-time all-state pick and twice named all-conference team. In 2018, Monteith played for Northern Ireland’s U17 squad.

• Baptista, a native of Portugal native, is a sophomore at Monroe, where she scored a goal and one assist as a freshman.

• Aguilar started all 16 games in 2022 at Montreat, leading the Cavaliers with nine assists and adding four goals. As a collegian, Aguilar has scored six goals and two-time first team All-AAC in 2021 and 2022 as well as a two-time all-tournament.  Previously, she has also played for Chattanooga FC and Frostproof Middle Senior High.

“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity,” Aguilar said. “I think this will be an amazing experience and will help me develop as a player. I’m also looking forward to meeting my fellow teammates and staff and hope to make new connections.”

• Peters, a graduate student at Wingate, has tallied 12 goals and recorded 18 assists for the Bulldogs. She’s started 43 games in 49 matches and earned preseason All-SAC second team ahead of her senior season which resulted in 17 starts, three goals and a team-high 59 shots, 25 of which were on goal. She earned second team All-SAC recognition as a junior.

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