CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 13, 2024) – Carolina Ascent Football Club announced today the goalkeepers selected by Head Coach Erika Duncan for the 2024 USL W League squad. The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent. The Carolina Ascent USL W League season kicks off on May 18 and will run through the end of June. View the Carolina Ascent USL W League Schedule.
“We are really excited about this group of goalkeepers,” Duncan commented. “They are all very talented and well known keepers in the Charlotte area, so we are thrilled to have them be a part of this. Like all of our positions, we have a great balance of youth and experience and can’t wait to see them excel on the field this summer.”
SEJAL JOHNSON
Johnson is entering her junior season at the University of Hartford. She started and played in 16 matches for the Hawks in 2023 while logging a 0.86 goals against average. Johnson totaled 53 saves, including a season-high 10 against Emory. Before transferring to Hartford, Johnson was a member of the Villanova University women’s soccer team.
Originally from Waxhaw, North Carolina, Johnson played for Weddington High School and the Charlotte Independence. In 2021, she was nominated as the Charlotte Independence Golden Glove winner. Johnson also played with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team in 2022.
ADDY HOLGORSEN
Holgorsen is a member of the Clemson University women’s soccer team which reached the 2023 ACC Championship and the first NCAA College Cup in program history. She made three appearances, including a full 90-minute shutout against Radford in the NCAA Tournament.
While playing for Providence Day School, Holgorsen led her team to the 2021 State Championship with a game-winning penalty kick save. In 2021, she was named a Charlotte Observer Athlete of the Year finalist and was a member of the Carolina Soccer Honors 2022 Team of the Year. With the Charlotte Soccer Academy, Holgorsen won the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference and was named a Goalkeeper of the Year finalist.
REESE DEJONG
DeJong is committed to play for Furman University starting this fall. She earned accolades at the all-region, Greater Metro 4A All-Conference, second-team High School OT All-State, and third-team Charlotte Observer All-State levels while playing for Cox Mill High School. In 2023, DeJong saved 115 shots and tallied 11 shutouts for the Chargers. In club competitions, DeJong plays on the Charlotte Independence 05/06 ECNL squad and has served as team captain for two years.
ELIZABETH NAVOLA
Navola will join the Wofford College women’s soccer team this fall for her freshman year. In her four years playing varsity soccer for Christ the King Catholic High School, Navola only allowed 19 goals in 56 appearances while stopping 208 shots to record a 0.586 goals against average. Navola was named to the High School OT All-State third team and the Charlotte Observer All-State squad following the 2023 season. She graduates as a two-time state champion with Christ the King.
About Carolina Ascent FC USL W League:
The Carolina Ascent FC USL W League team is one of eight teams competing in the USL W League’s South Atlantic Conference in 2024. The team is the pre-professional affiliate for the Carolina Ascent USL Super League squad, the Carolinas’ newest division one women’s professional soccer team. Head Coach, Erika Duncan, leads the squad in 2024 and will join the Carolina Ascent Super League technical staff as an Assistant Coach this August. The Carolina Ascent W League program is focused on developing local soccer talent and providing new, competitive environments for young women across the Carolinas who dream of playing professional soccer. The team’s technical and operational management are led by Affiliate, Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
About the USL W League:
The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The League and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through not only financial resources but also with time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.