Beard brings six years of professional soccer experience from UEFA Champions League and UEFA international competitions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 28, 2024) – Carolina Ascent Football Club announced today the signing of midfielder Eli Beard ahead of the club’s 2024/25 USL Super League Season, pending league and federation approval. Carolina Ascent FC’s Inaugural Home Opener is on Saturday, August 17 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now at CarolinaAscent.com/tickets.
“Eli brings so much quality to the Carolinas,” Head Coach Philip Poole explained. “Her experience at both the club and international levels will give us a highly dynamic player whose technical ability will thrive here. I enjoy Eli’s energy and the positivity she shares. As a staff, we can’t wait to get her here as we race towards pre-season.”
Beard has competed at the international level representing the Israel Women’s National Team. This year, Beard was rostered for UEFA Women’s Euro Qualification matches, starting four contests against Slovakia, Serbia, and Scotland. In 2023, she also played in a trio of UEFA Women’s Nations League matches.
“I’m excited to join Carolina Ascent FC and play under Coach Poole and his outstanding staff,” Beard shared. “After many years of playing overseas, returning to the States and playing close to home is an incredible opportunity. Carolina Ascent is building something special, and I’m honored to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get to Charlotte and get to work!”
Beard ventures back to the United States from Iceland where she most recently played for Keflavík ÍF in the Besta Deild Kvenna, the premier Icelandic women’s soccer league.
Much of Beard’s professional career was spent playing in Israel. During the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, Beard competed with FC Kiryat Gat, at Israel’s highest level of women’s professional soccer, where she won two Ligat Al titles, qualifying the club for the UEFA Champions League.
During the 2021/22 season, Beard scored the game-winning goal in the Israeli National Cup final and helped her side win its third championship of the year, the Athena Cup.
Between seasons with WFC Ramat Hasharon and Maccabi Holon in Israel, Beard joined Ungmennafélag Grindavíkur for the 2021 summer portion of the Icelandic season.
Beard competed in the UEFA Champions League in her first professional season with Khazakhstanian side, BIIK Kazygurt, in 2018.
Collegiately, Beard played for Marquette University from 2014-2017. She capped off her time with the Golden Eagles as a member of the 2017 All-BIG EAST Championship Team and recorded 66 all-time appearances, seven goals, and five assists.
About Carolina Ascent FC:
Carolina Ascent FC is one of the eight initial teams of the USL Super League, a new Division One professional women’s soccer league set to kick off in August 2024. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community and support a more sustainable future for the residents of the Carolinas. The team will play all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. To join the climb and receive information on club news, season tickets and more, visit carolinaascent.com.
