Teenage superstar Ellie Carpenter will return to Canberra United for Season 11 of the Westfield W-League after a blistering first campaign in green during Season 10.
The star Matildas’ full-back was one of United’s best last season, taking home the Player of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year awards at the 2018/19 Canberra United awards.
As well as providing a commanding presence both in the backline and driving forward from midfield, Carpenter scored her first two goals in the league to show that she can be counted upon for a scoreboard contribution.
Now heading into her fourth season despite being just 18, the youngster said she can’t wait to get back into the action in Green.
“I’m excited to come back to Canberra,” she said.
“Last season was good, but we didn’t reach our full potential as a team. “
“I know that Heather has aspirations of us making finals and winning the title this season, so I’m looking forward to coming back and helping the team to get there.”
Head Coach Heather Garriock brought Carpenter in last year and played her both in the middle of the park and in her natural backline position and said she can’t wait to have Ellie back in Canberra this season.
“Ellie is a special player and has a very promising first year in Canberra, so I’m looking forward to seeing what she can produce this season.”
“She thrived here last season and has the goal to be the best, and she’s an excellent role model for young Footballers in Canberra too.”
Carpenter has spent the better part of 2018 over in the United States playing for Portland Thorns in the NWSL, where she had an excellent debut season and became both the youngest player to appear in the NWSL and the youngest goal scorer in the history of the league.
It was a meteoric rise as part of a popular team, and the youngster said it has done a lot for her.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person over the past six months,” she said.
“My game has definitely improved and I’m just excited to come back and play in the Westfield W-League.”
Carpenter has just finished a two game stint with the Westfield Matildas in Europe and will soon return to training with Canberra United ahead of the season opener against Melbourne City on October 28th.
Current Canberra Squad |
Goalkeepers: Shamiran KHAMIS, Melissa MAIZELS
Defenders: Taren KING, Natasha PRIOR, Ellie CARPENTER
Midfielders: Refiloe JANE, Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Rosie Galea
Forwards: Nicki FLANNERY, Rhoda MULAUDZI, Nikola ORGILL, Meaghan MCELLIGOTT
