Carolina Ascent signs Cornelius native Vicky Bruce

LAURA STROUD

Vicky Bruce of Cornelius, who won a national women's title at North Carolina before transferring to Davidson, is the first player to sign with Carolina Ascent of USL Super League.

Carolina Ascent’s first player has Mecklenburg County ties.

Defender Vicky Bruce, who grew up in Cornelius, signed with the Charlotte club Wednesday ahead of USL Super League’s inaugural season in August. Bruce, who played professionally in Australia and Europe for seven years, spent the 2023-24 season with the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia’s A-League, starting all 22 matches and tallying three goals.

“I’ve played professionally overseas for over seven years, but it’s always been my dream to play at the highest level in the U.S.,” Bruce said in a statement. “Now, not only do I get to realize that dream in the U.S., I get to do it right here in my hometown. I’m honored and grateful to sign with the Carolina Ascent FC and play for one of my favorite childhood coaches again.”

Signing Bruce, who won an NCAA national title as a freshman at North Carolina before transferring to Davidson College where she started all 38 games over her final two seasons, is part of Ascent’s goal to put local talent on the pitch.

“From the beginning, we have talked about building a club by the Carolinas, for the Carolinas and connecting with the community in everything we do,” coach Philip Poole said. “To bring Vicky back to the Carolinas is such an exciting moment for everyone connected to the club. Vicky is a leader on and off the field and will be visible in our community. I am thrilled to announce Vicky and what it means for her and the young girls playing soccer in the Carolinas.”

Bruce, who played in several of Europe’s top leagues, earned three titles. She started all but two matches with Bristol City in 2022-23, which went on to win England’s Women’s Championship. In 2021-22, she played for SC Sand in the Frauen Bundesliga, Germany’s top tier, totaling 1,639 minutes in 22 matches for a squad that advanced to the DFB Pokal women’s quarterfinals.

With Danish side Fortuna Hjørring in 2019-20, Bruce’s team won the Kvlindeliga. and finished third the next season. She played in 22 league matches with 20 starts, a goal and an assist as well as starting four matches during Fortuna Hjørring’s march to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 16 which ended with a loss to eventual winner FC Barcelona.

Bruce made her UEFA Champions League debut in 2019 with Apollon Limassol before joining Morön BK in the Swedish Elitettan, where she scored four goals in seven appearances. Bruce signed her first professional contract in 2017 with Icelandic club Fimleikafélag Hafnarfar?ar and as a rookie played 1,013 minutes over 12 games, including 11 starts.

Bruce, who played club soccer for Charlotte Soccer Academy and played Cannon High, where she was inducted to the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

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