
Arsenal includes DI, DII and DIII talent
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 18, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team announced today the addition of six forwards to the team’s attack for the 2023 season, pending league and federation approval. The arsenal includes Breckyn Monteith (Appalachian State University), Corine Gregory (Brown University), Serena Speight (Lasell University), Chentay Warnes (East Carolina University), Mary Liese Grier (Wofford College) and Ines Gama (Union University).
“Strength and speed come to mind when I see this group,” explained Charlotte Independence USL W League Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “We will look to add some versatility to our attack with some girls that can play underneath and find gaps between the lines and a couple with some girls that can get in behind with their speed. These girls will round out an already strong roster, with the ability to get slipped in behind, and other girls that are fully capable of striking from distance.”
Breckyn Monteith, Appalachian State University – Monteith started in 33 of the 35 games in the past two seasons with the Mountaineers. She scored 11 goals and earned 3 assists across a total of 2,578 minutes.
Prior to App State, Monteith played one season with the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons. She averaged 60 minutes per match with five starts and eight appearances.
The Charlotte, North Carolina native played high school soccer at Southlake Christian Academy. She is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Eagles, including a record-breaking seven-goal game. As a freshman, Monteith was named All-Conference and Freshman MVP.
Monteith played for the Charlotte Soccer Academy and averaged 90 minutes per match her senior season. She was called up to the Northern Ireland National Team on multiple occasions, scoring a goal against Kazakhstan and making starts against the U19 Canada and England National teams.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the team this year,” Monteith said. “I’m looking forward to playing with my new and former teammates and also at a high level.”
Corine Gregory, Brown University – Gregory is committed to play college soccer at Brown University. She is a member of the Wilmington Hammerheads club team where she earned 2022 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team Honors.
Growing up in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Gregory played varsity soccer for the Waccamaw High School Warriors. She was a three-time All-State Selection and four-time varsity captain.
“I’m looking forward to competing against other high-level athletes and having fun while learning from my coaches and teammates this summer,” Gregory said.
Serena Speight, Lasell University – Speight is a graduate student at Lasell University. She played all five seasons for the Lasers, starting 62 matches in 73 appearances. Speight notched 17 assists and scored 29 goals including four game-winners. She was named All-GNAC-First Team honors, a NEWISA Senior Bowl selection, United Soccer Coaches DIII All-Region Second Team, and earned NEWISA All-New England Third Team selection. Speight, a Biddeford, Maine native, played varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse at Biddeford High School.
“I am excited to be signing with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team and playing alongside a talented group of girls,” Speight said. “I’m looking forward to competing against, and learning from, high-level players while having a fun season!”
Mary Liese Grier, Wofford College – Grier is committed to play college soccer at Wofford College. She has been a member of the ECNL Charlotte Independence Soccer Club for the past seven seasons.
As a Charlotte, North Carolina native, Grier played varsity soccer at South Mecklenburg High School where she led the team with 9 Assists in the 2022 season. Grier scored a total of 46 goals while at South Mecklenburg. She also was awarded Two All-Conference & All-Region Player awards, and 2 Golden Boot awards, and was a Carolina Soccer Female Player Goal of the Year finalist.
“I’m super excited about this upcoming season with the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team!” said Grier. “I can’t wait to be a part of such a fun and competitive environment over the summer!”
Chentay Warnes, East Carolina University – Warnes, a former East Carolina University student-athlete, has moved to Charlotte following a stint with a semi-professional league in Seattle. Warnes played 19 games her senior season at ECU with 12 starts.
Prior to her time with the Pirates, Warnes played for Highline Community College where she led the team with 34 points and was named Northwest Athletic Conference All-Star in 2016. Warnes played high school soccer at Thomas Jefferson High School, where she was recognized as a two-time All-League honoree and MVP.
“This is my first time signing with Charlotte Independence and will be a great opportunity for me to get back into high level soccer. I know this team and the staff will definitely help me get back to my peak that I reached in college and further,” Warnes said. “This is one step closer to my professional dream and the team seems very supportive. I’m looking forward to playing with all the girls and becoming close with them, it’s been a while since I’ve been a part of a team.”
Ines Gama, Union University – The Portugal native is a sophomore at Union University. She started all 16 games in 2022, recording 1,117 minutes played and scored one goal. Gama played club soccer with Lank Vilaverdense Futebol, SC Braga, Hernâni Gonçalves, FC Foz, Dragon Force FC Porto, and Boavista Futebol Clube.
As a youth player, Game was recognized as a two-time Vice National Champion U19, Interassociation tournament Champion, and two-time District Champion. She was the best scorer of the Interassociation tournament, MVP of a second division National game and summer tournament, and was the second best scorer of the National Championship U19.
“I am really excited to start our season and evolve as a soccer player”, Gama explained. “I think that the USL W League is a very competitive league, and I can’t wait to know my teammates and have a great time during summer with them!”
The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off the 2023 season on Sunday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m. The women host the NC Courage U-23s at American Legion Memorial Stadium. View the full schedule at charlotteindependence.com.