Audrey Harding
{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Audrey Harding
| fullname = Audrey Rose Harding{{cite web |url=https://uncwsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/audrey-harding/7269 |title=Audrey Harding – Women's Soccer |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |accessdate=January 28, 2025}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|07|14}}
| birth_place = Akron, Ohio, U.S.
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Carolina Ascent
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Ohio Premiere
| collegeyears1 = 2017–2021
| college1 = UNC Wilmington Seahawks
| collegecaps1 = 68
| collegegoals1 = 23
| years1 = 2022
| clubs1 = Washington Spirit
| caps1 = 9
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2023
| clubs2 = KIF Örebro DFF
| caps2 = 25
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2024
| clubs3 = Carolina Ascent (USLW)
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2024–
| clubs4 = Carolina Ascent
| caps4 = 20
| goals4 = 5
| club-update = May 31, 2025
}}
Audrey Rose Harding (born July 14, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for USL Super League club Carolina Ascent. She played college soccer for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks. She has previously played for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and KIF Örebro in Sweden.
Early life
Harding was born in Akron, Ohio, as one of five children from Greg and Dena Harding.{{cite web |url=https://uncwsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/audrey-harding/7269 |title=Audrey Harding – Women's Soccer |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |accessdate=January 28, 2025}} She attended Revere High School,{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=High school girls soccer/Cloverleaf 3, Revere 2: Colts stun Minutemen in double overtime in Division II district semifinal |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/10/24/high-school-girls-soccer-cloverleaf/10638604007/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Akron Beacon Journal |language=en-US}} where she recorded 58 goals and 31 assists for the program. While at Revere, Harding was a three-time All-State and All-District selection.{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Jacob |title=Sophomore earns women's soccer All-State award |url=https://reverelantern.com/sports/2014/12/18/sophomore-earns-womens-soccer-all-state-award/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Lantern}}{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=Seahawks Add 12 Players for 2017 Season |url=https://uncwsports.com/news/2017/2/6/womens-soccer-seahawks-add-12-players-for-2017-season.aspx |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |language=en}} She also was a member of the school's track and field team in her freshman year. While attending high school, Harding played with club team Ohio Premiere and made triweekly trips to Columbus to further her soccer training.{{Cite web |last=Leising |first=Keeley |date=2024-04-04 |title=Ohio Premier In The Pros: Nurturing Champions, Building Dreams |url=https://opsoccer.com/ohio-premier-in-the-pros-nurturing-champions-building-dreams/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=opsoccer.com |language=en-US}}
College career
Harding played for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks from 2017 to 2021. In her freshman year, she played in 12 matches and won the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award. She played as a reserve in her sophomore season but managed to score her first collegiate goal on August 24, 2018, in a defeat to Virginia Tech.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-24 |title=Seahawks Drop 2–1 Result at Virginia Tech |url=https://uncwsports.com/story.aspx?filename=womens-soccer-seahawks-drop-2-1-result-at-virginia-tech&file_date=8-24-2018 |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |language=en}} Harding increased in production during her subsequent seasons as a Seahawk,{{Cite web |date=2021-10-18 |title=UNCW Graduate Student Forward Audrey Harding – College Soccer News Women's National Player Of The Week – Week Ending October 17, 2021. – College Soccer News |url=https://collegesoccernews.com/uncw-graduate-student-forward-audrey-harding-college-soccer-news-womens-national-player-of-the-week-week-ending-october-17-2021/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |language=en-US}} earning an All-CAA second team spot in 2019 and getting first team conference honors in her last two seasons.{{Cite web |last=Eichstaedt |first=Jake |date=2022-07-14 |title=UNCW's Audrey Harding nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year |url=https://www.wwaytv3.com/uncw-audrey-harding-nominated-for-ncaa-woman-of-the-year/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=WWAYTV3 |language=en-US}} As a senior, she helped the team to a CAA final, tallying a goal in their semifinal win over Northeastern.{{Cite web |last=Washburn |first=Rob |title=UNCW Rallies Past Northeastern, 3–2, To Reach CAA Title Game For First Time Since 2012 |url=https://caasports.com/news/2021/4/15/womens-soccer-uncw-rallies-past-northeastern-3-2-to-reach-caa-title-game-for-first-time-since-2012.aspx |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=caasports.com |language=en}} In her last year at UNC Wilmington, she recorded season-high numbers in goals, assists, and starts. Harding became the 10th player in program history to score 20 or more goals;{{Cite web |last=Kilby |first=Zachary |title=Audrey Harding makes history as career nears an end |url=https://theseahawk.org/32778/sports/audrey-harding-makes-history-as-career-nears-an-end/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=The Seahawk}} she would later score three more to take the total tally up to 23. She also became the first Seahawk to receive United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America recognition.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-23 |title=SDN Exclusive: Audrey Harding |url=https://uncwsports.com/news/2021/12/23/womens-soccer-sdn-exclusive-audrey-harding.aspx |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=UNC Wilmington Athletics |language=en}} Harding departed from UNC Wilmington with 68 games and 23 goals recorded.
Club career
= Washington Spirit =
On December 18, 2021, Harding was selected in the third round of the 2022 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit. As the 38th overall pick, Harding also became the second-ever UNC Wilmington player to be drafted into the NWSL.{{Cite web |last=Spears |first=Dan |title=Two All-CAA seasons in one year turn UNCW's Harding into pro soccer draft pick |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/sports/college/2021/12/21/unc-wilmington-audrey-harding-nwsl-washington-spirit-draft-pick/8973757002/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Wilmington Star-News |language=en-US}} While she was part of the Spirit's preseason roster, Harding was not signed before the start of the season.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2022-02-01 |title=Washington Spirit Release 38-player Preseason Roster |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2022/02/01/washington-spirit-release-38-player-preseason-roster/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}} Instead, she inked her first professional contract on May 1, 2022, as a short-term injury replacement for Gaby Vincent.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2022-05-01 |title=Washington Spirit Sign Audrey Harding, Place Gaby Vincent on 45-Day Disabled List |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2022/05/01/washington-spirit-sign-audrey-harding-place-gaby-vincent-on-45-day-disabled-list/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}} Harding made her Spirit debut later that day, in a 2–1 victory over the OL Reign.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-05-02 |title=Recently drafted UNCW soccer standout, Audrey Harding makes professional debut |url=https://www.wwaytv3.com/recently-drafted-uncw-soccer-standout-audrey-harding-makes-professional-debut/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=WWAYTV3 |language=en-US}} She was part of the Spirit's run to the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup final and entered the championship match as a substitute for the injured Jordan Baggett.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2022-05-08 |title=Spirit Comes Up Short of Challenge Cup Title |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2022/05/08/spirit-comes-up-short-of-challenge-cup-title/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}} On May 27, Harding earned her first professional start and recorded her first professional assist in a 2–2 draw with the Orlando Pride.{{Cite news |last=Melnick |first=Kyle |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Spirit breaks down in stoppage time, turns a sure win into a 2–2 draw |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/05/27/spirit-breaks-down-stoppage-time-turns-sure-win-into-2-2-draw/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} After her short-term contract expired, Harding was re-signed to the Spirit's active roster through the end of the 2022 season.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2022-08-25 |title=Washington Spirit Signs Marissa Sheva and Audrey Harding to Active Roster; Emily Sonnett Placed on Season-Ending Injury List |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2022/08/25/washington-spirit-signs-marissa-sheva-and-audrey-harding-to-active-roster/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}} At the conclusion of the year, the Spirit did not renew Harding's contract as part of the club's end-of-year roster decisions.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2022-11-15 |title=Washington Spirit Announces Offseason Roster Moves |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2022/11/15/washington-spirit-announces-offseason-roster-moves/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}}
= KIF Örebro DFF =
Harding signed a contract with Swedish club KIF Örebro DFF in the in December 2022.{{Cite news |title=KIF Örebro värvar in NWSL-forwarden Audrey Harding |url=https://www.laget.se/KIFOrebroDFFalag/News/7168353/KIF-Orebro-varvar-in-NWSL-forwarden-Audrey-Harding |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230705013913/https://www.laget.se/KIFOrebroDFFalag/News/7168353/KIF-Orebro-varvar-in-NWSL-forwarden-Audrey-Harding |archive-date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2025-02-01 |work=KIF Örebro DFF A-lag |language=sv}} She played in 25 matches and scored twice as Örebro finished in 10th place overall in the Damallsvenskan. After one season with Örebro, Harding departed from the club as part of a mutual agreement.{{Cite web |last=Ron |first=Fredrik de |date=2023-12-10 |title=Officiellt: Audrey Harding lämnar Örebro |url=https://fotbolldirekt.se/damallsvenskan/officiellt-audrey-harding-lamnar-orebro/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=FotbollDirekt |language=sv-SE}}
= Carolina Ascent FC =
On July 2, 2024, Harding signed a three-year deal with USL Super League team Carolina Ascent FC ahead of the club's inaugural season.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Ascent FC Sign Forward Audrey Harding, 2021 NWSL Draft Pick and Three Year Professional |url=https://www.carolinaascent.com/news/2024/07/02/carolina-ascent-fc-sign-forward-audrey-harding-2021-nwsl-draft-pick-and-three-year-professional/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Carolina Ascent FC |language=en-US}} She played in the team's inaugural game, a 1–0 victory over Lexington SC. During the match, Harding registered the first ever assist in league history.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Ascent FC Record Historic First Win |url=https://www.carolinaascent.com/news/2024/08/17/carolina-ascent-fc-record-historic-first-win/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Carolina Ascent FC |language=en-US}} On March 23, 2025, Harding scored twice in a 4–0 victory over Lexington SC, getting her name on the scoresheet for the first time with the Ascent.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Ascent Pour in Goals, Win 4-0 over Lexington SC |url=https://www.carolinaascent.com/news/2025/03/23/carolina-ascent-pour-in-goals-win-4-0-over-lexington-sc/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Carolina Ascent FC |language=en-US}} She scored another goal and racked up 3 assists within the remainder of March, winning herself a spot on the league's Team of the Month.{{Cite web |title=USL Super League Team of the Month - March |url=https://www.uslsuperleague.com/news/2025/04/03/usl-super-league-team-of-the-month-march/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=USL Super League |language=en-US}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{Updated|March 23, 2025{{cite web |title=Audrey Harding – Soccerway |url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/audrey-harding/822336/ |website=soccerway.com}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |Cup{{Efn|Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup and Svenska Cupen}} ! colspan="2" |Playoffs{{Efn|Includes NWSL Playoffs}} ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| Washington Spirit
|2022 |NWSL |9 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |10 |0 |
| KIF Örebro DFF
|2023 |25 |2 |3 |1 | colspan="2" |— |28 |3 |
| Carolina Ascent FC
|12 |2 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |12 |2 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!46 !4 !4 !1 !0 !0 !50 !5 |
{{notelist}}
Honors
Carolina Ascent
- USL Super League Players' Shield: 2024–25{{cite news|url=https://www.uslsuperleague.com/news/2025/05/17/carolina-ascent-claims-2024-25-usl-super-league-players-shield/|title=Carolina Ascent claims 2024/25 USL Super League Players' Shield|date=2025-05-17|publisher=USL Super League|access-date=2025-05-19}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- {{NWSL player|id=audrey-rose-harding}}
- [https://uncwsports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/audrey-harding/7269 Audrey Harding] at UNC Wilmington Seahawks
- [https://www.carolinaascent.com/roster/audrey-harding/ Audrey Harding] at Carolina Ascent FC
{{Carolina Ascent FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harding, Audrey}}
Category:Soccer players from Ohio
Category:Sportspeople from Akron, Ohio
Category:American women's soccer players
Category:21st-century American sportswomen
Category:Carolina Ascent FC players
Category:Damallsvenskan players
Category:KIF Örebro DFF players
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:UNC Wilmington Seahawks women's soccer players
Category:USL Super League players
Category:Washington Spirit draft picks
Category:Washington Spirit players