April 6, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence Women’s USL W League team announced today that Head Coach, Robyn Horner and Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan will once again lead Charlotte’s only women’s pre-professional soccer team. In 2022, the team’s inaugural season, they led the club to an overall record of 4-5-3 and finished 4th in the USL W League’s South Atlantic Division.
“We are excited to have Robyn and Erika back leading our USL W League team for its second season,” stated Charlotte Independence USL W League General Manager, Greg Ashton. “We hope to take the lessons we learned from both on and off the field last year and show progress in those areas this season. We have looked to add some experience to the team and have attracted some new, young talent that will help raise the level of the group. Robyn and Erika will provide the consistency we need to continue to grow the culture within the team as we compete in the extremely challenging South Atlantic Division and push to make the playoffs this season.”
Horner joined the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club in 2019 as the Director of Goalkeeping and Head Coach. In her first year, she coached her U19 girls team to an undefeated season and a State Cup Championship.
“I’m elated that season two is finally here! Coach Erika and I looked at each other after the end of the season last summer and said, “season 2 starts now,” explained Head Coach, Robyn Horner. “We’ve been working for the last several months to put together a team of girls that we know will proudly represent the Independence crest and what it stands for. We are excited to welcome the girls into Charlotte in the next few weeks and continue building upon the successes we had last season.”
Before joining the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, Horner coached at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C. She was the Assistant Coach for two years, during which she helped the Falcons win a Conference Carolinas Championship in 2013. Horner was promoted as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach in 2015. She led the program for four years with an overall record of 39-26-3 which included two Conference Semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2016.
Duncan joined the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club in 2022 and worked with the Girls ECNL Regional League North Teams in addition to her role as Assistant Coach for the USL W League Team.
“I am incredibly excited for our second season…