ROAD TO STILLWATER: CHARLOTTE EAGLES

Written By:  Tyler Trent

Photos By:  Reily Rogers

Charlotte Eagles may have thought its season was nearing its end after a tight 1-0 defeat to Nashville Rhythm F.C. on July 1, that ultimately led the team to finish second in the Southeast Conference. However, the storyline wasn’t over for the Eagles, who earned a wildcard spot to reach the playoffs. With the season still alive, there was an uphill battle to continue as Charlotte was scheduled to play a tough FC Prime team in the first round of the South Region playoffs. After a 1-0 victory, the Eagles got its chance at redemption against the Rhythm in the South Region Final hosted by Nashville.
 

Charlotte was shocked to find itself at a 4-1 deficit approaching halftime in the rematch against the Rhythm after scoring the opening goal in the first minutes of the game. The Eagles were in a similar position last season after going down 4-0 at halftime against AHFC Royals in the South Region semifinal before ending its season with the 5-1 defeat. 
 

Photo By: Reily Rogers
 

This year, however, was different as the Charlotte Eagles wouldn’t go down that easily. In one of the most chaotic matches of the year, the Eagles fought back to eventually win the match in a 5-4 come-from-behind thriller to advance to the Championship Series in Stillwater, Okla. However, the team’s journey to Stillwater began much earlier than last Saturday’s South Region Final.
 

The 2023 WPSL season began with the Charlotte Eagles, and most of the Carolinas Conference, joining the Southeast Conference. This change would mean games against new opponents in new cities and the introduction into a conference where the Eagles might not be the favorite despite the team’s success in 2022.  The Eagles started the season in May, quickly jumping out as a contender in the conference scoring a combined 15 goals while allowing zero in the first two matches.
 

The hot start was followed by two 1-1 draws against two of the previously mentioned new opponents, 865 Alliance and Georgia Impact. The Charlotte Eagles quickly got on a roll again, winning its following two matches with a combined 11 goals scored and still conceding zero.
 

This set up one of the biggest head-to-head games of conference play against the Rhythm, which averaged 3.3 GPG in its previous six matches before the meeting.  After traveling to Nashville for the game, Charlotte was ultimately defeated by a Yuki Watari goal - the potent midfielder who’s been a critical offensive threat all season. 
 

Despite having one final game in hand on the regular season, the loss in Nashville cost the Eagles the conference and lessened its postseason opportunity. Still, the Eagles returned to North Carolina to play its last match - an exciting 3-2 win over WFC of Charlotte. The Eagles ended the regular season with 17 points tallying 31 goals with only five goals conceded and earned a wildcard spot in the South Region playoffs.

Photo By: Reily Rogers

The Eagles were led by a mix of veteran experience and youth this season. Veterans Alexandra Jennings (George Mason grad), Morgan Leyble (UNC-Wilmington grad), and captain Emmi Dunn (Lenoir-Rhyne grad) provided experience, while players like Laura Zemberyova (UAB), Chloe Marr (Liberty University), Briana Myers (Liberty University), Faith Adams (Lipscomb University), and Taylor Bryan (Virginia Tech) were able to provide sparks to the team throughout the regular season. Following the South Region playoffs, Jennings, Dunn, and Adams were named to the All-South Region team.
 

After overcoming the 4-1 deficit in Nashville to win the South Region Title, Charlotte will travel to Stillwater to face Rhode Island Rouges, who will represent the East Region. The Rogues arrive with a similar story to the Eagles, with both teams finishing second in their conferences before knocking out the team who finished above them when it mattered most – in the regional playoff finals.
 

The Eagles have proven themselves as a team you can’t count out even when the odds are stacked against them this season. With only two games left to decide the 2023 WPSL Champion, all bets are off, and it’s anyone’s to win. The Charlotte Eagles squad will have its eyes on a first-ever WPSL Championship for the club.