Carolina Ascent FC signs its first-ever player: North Carolina native Vicky Bruce

By Tyler Trent

Photo credit: Western Sydney Wanderers

The new women's professional soccer team in Charlotte has announced its first-ever player defender Vicky Bruce.

A North Carolina native who has spent her eight-year career so far mostly throughout Europe and most recently in Australia, Bruce provides a veteran experience at the center of defense. The 29-year-old centerback was considered one of the best defenders in the league last season in Australia, and prior to her move to Sydney, Bruce was at the heart of Bristol City's Women's Championship title and promotion to the Women's Super League in the 2022-2023 season.

After playing in eight different countries in eight years as a professional, Bruce may see the ninth team, Carolina Ascent, as the one to break to cycle of moving. Now, back near her hometown of Cornelius, North Carolina, Bruce will have the chance to build up a team from scratch.

Bruce graduated from Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina, before attending Davidson University and later the University of North Carolina before beginning her professional career with Rangers in Scotland.