Ellie Carpenter
Quick Facts
Biography
Ellie Madison Carpenter (born 28 April 2000) is an Australian international footballer, who plays as a defender for Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), for Melbourne City in the W-League, and for the Australian national team.
Carpenter made her W-League debut for Western Sydney Wanderers in 2015 at the age of 15. Having represented Australia on various youth national teams, Carpenter made her debut for the Australian national team at the age of 15 - becoming Australia's first Australian international soccer player (male or female) to be born in the 21st century. She was the youngest Australian Olympian at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the youngest ever female footballer to compete at the Olympics. On 9 May 2018 Carpenter became the youngest ever player, eighteen years and eleven days old, to appear in an NWSL game.
Early life
Carpenter was born in Cowra, New South Wales, to two physical education teachersand was raised on a farm in Cowra, located approximately 400 km west of Sydney. Growing up, Carpenter regularly undertook extended travels to play football in Young, Canberra and Sydney. At age 12, her family moved to Sydney so she could attend Westfields Sports High School. She attended both Cowra Public School and Mulyan Public School.
Career
Club
Carpenter joined Western Sydney Wanderers in September 2015.
In August 2017, Carpenter signed with Canberra United.
Carpenter became the youngest player in National Women's Soccer League history when she made her debut for the Portland Thorns in 2018. She soon became the youngest scorer in league history after netting the winner against the Washington Spirit 22 days after her 18th birthday.
In October 2019, Carpenter joined Melbourne City on a one-season loan.
International
Carpenter was first called up to the Australian under-17 side for 2015 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualification in September 2014. She made her debut in a win over Vietnam, playing a full match in the first game of qualification.
She received her first cap for the Matildas against Vietnam on 2 March 2016 in the 2015–16 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
International goals
Goal | Date | Location | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 March 2017 | Albufeira Municipal Stadium, Albufeira, Portugal | China PR | 2-1 | 2–1 | 2017 Algarve Cup |