The Asheville Splash were a women's soccer franchise founded in 2001, and from 2003–2004 were members of the Atlantic Division of the USL W-League.
History The team changed its name from the Blue Ridge Rapids in 2002 due to a trademark dispute with the Colorado Rapids. They played at Memorial Stadium in Asheville, North Carolina. The team folded after the 2004 USL W-League season. The team's mascot was an otter.
In 2004, the club's programs promoted a future men's team, the Asheville Slide, which was never founded.
Staff Ownership: Bernie Arghiere, Gabriele Beckman, Calvin Bennett, Gregg Condon, George Escaravage, Todd Escaravage, John Hepler, Mark Jordan, Steve Woody Managing partner, chief executive officer: Steve Woody Chief operating officer: Desmond Armstrong Media relations director: Bob Somerville
Former players Stacey Enos Lydia Vandenbergh Rebekah Fergusson Abby Crumpton Katie Roark Ricarda Nelson Izler Browne
Year-by-year Year League Reg. Season Playoffs20032USL W-League4th, AtlanticDid not qualify20041USL W-League3rd, AtlanticDid not qualify
Legacy In 2018, Asheville City SC's newly formed women's soccer team hired Stacey Enos, who had captained the Splash from 2001–2003, as its inaugural head coach.
On June 19, 2021, Asheville City's women's side held a commemorative match marking the 20th anniversary of the Splash's founding. Icarus FC designed Asheville Splash throwback kits for the occasion.
References Page on Western North Carolina athletics on newcomer.com - mentions details about Asheville Splash
External links web.archive.org copy of Official website