Asheville City SC dominated the South Central Division this season, keeping an undefeated record (11-0-1) for the first time since joining the USL W League in 2022. The Blues clinched its first playoff berth last year, advancing to the Southern Conference Final against Tennessee SC. This past weekend, a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Lonestar SC earned the team its first Conference title and sees Asheville headed to the 2025 National Semifinals this Saturday. 

Here’s what has propelled Asheville in this historic season:  

International Experience 

Asheville’s 2025 roster boasts an abundance of players with international experience that have aided the team’s success, specifically on the attacking end.  

Strikers Yuliia Khrystiuk and Lucia Flores have scored a combined 10 goals in over 2,000 minutes this summer. Khrystiuk, who assisted both goals in the Conference Final last weekend, has appeared for the Ukranian National Teams at the youth and senior levels, while also bringing experience from the Ukranian Championship League with EMC-Podillya. Flores cultivated her attacking abilities with youth club Atletico Penarol, becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals in 69 matches. She has played for the Uruguayan Youth National Teams, recently participating in the 2024 South American U20 Championship. 

French midfielder Lucie Bertrand won the French National U19 Championship with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 and 2023 before joining Asheville. Betrand started 13 of 14 matches for the Blues this season and netted two goals, including a goal to secure a 3-1 victory over TLH Reckoning in the Southern Conference Semifinals.  

Gry Boe Thrysøe, who plays at Old Dominion University with Khrystiuk, returned this summer for her second season with Asheville. The Danish midfielder formerly played abroad with Aalborg Boldklub, where she won MVP after aiding the team to promotion to Denmark’s top division in 2020. Thrysøe has played a central role for the Blues, and she most recently scored the team’s opening goal in these playoffs.

Dual-Threat Defense 

While Asheville’s attacking unit has impressed all season, its backline is just as dominant on the defensive end while still getting on the scoresheet. 

Temple University defender Phoebe Hollin posed a dual threat to opponents this year, scoring five goals while contributing to five of the Blues’ six clean sheets. The center back helped Asheville clinch this season’s first playoff spot after scoring the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Tennessee SC on June 17. 

Georgia Southern Eagle Caitlin Conroy has been a steady presence in the outside back position for the Blues, starting in 13 of the team’s 14 regular season and playoff matches. The English defender also scored three goals for Asheville this season, including a brace in the team’s lone draw of the season against Southern Soccer Academy.  

The versatility of Asheville’s defense is a strong asset to the Blues as they head into the National Semifinals. 

Last Minute Game-Winners  

Asheville has gone this entire season without a loss, frequently showing its ability to thrive under pressure in the final minutes of matches. 

After falling behind a goal early against SSA on June 3, Khrystiuk, Hollin and Conroy all found the back of the net in the final twenty minutes to earn a 3-1 victory. The following match against a strong Greenville Liberty side, Hollin found an 85th minute game-winning goal for a 1-0 win. 

Asheville’s ability to stay in the match despite the score has also been critical in the playoffs. In the Southern Conference Final, Emma Sheehan found the equalizer in the 90th minute to send the match into extra time. Spanish forward Naroa Domenech then scored the game-winner in the 119th minute to send the Blues to the National Semifinals.  

Its talented roster combined with the determination and fight in this group will be the keys to the match this weekend as Asheville looks to defeat the reigning W League champions, NC Courage U23. Tune in to the match on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET on SportsEngine Play.