Carson Bogan Continuing Family Excellence in Athletics as Soccer Standout at UNC Asheville

For UNC Asheville freshman midfielder, Carson Bogan, this school year helped her achieve a dream. A dream of becoming a college soccer player was checked off the list, but becoming a collegiate student-athlete is just the beginning of this chapter for the former WPIAL standout.

(Photos courtesy of UNC Asheville Athletic Communications)

A graduate of Upper St. Clair, Bogan became a four-time letter winner, a two-time WPIAL Big 56 Team selection, an All-Section and All-WPIAL performer, the Observer-Reporter 2021 Best of the Best, the Upper St. Clair’s Offensive Player of the Year twice, led her high school team in scoring her junior year, and was named a team-captain for her senior year. On the club circuit for Beadling Soccer, she played for the Beadling Girls Academy team and won two state championships while playing for the ‘02/’03 team.

After high school, Bogan was determined to follow in her older sister, Carley’s, footsteps as a Division I soccer player in the south. While Carley went to the Southeastern Conference to become a Vanderbilt Commodore, Carson headed to UNC Asheville to become a Bulldog. She said this about why UNC Asheville and playing in the Big South Conference was the right fit.

“UNC Asheville’s strong academic program for my major was one important part of my decision to attend the university. I also wanted small class sizes and a supportive environment, both of which I found here. When I attended the women’s soccer ID camp I immediately connected with the coaching staff and the players. However, the coaching staff changed before the start of my freshman season.”

“As luck would have it, our new head coach has a Pittsburgh connection. Coach Andy McNab spent a few years in the city and I knew him as a coach and played against his team. I feel very fortunate to play for Coach Andy, Coach Bella Iorio and the rest of the staff. They are not only my coaches but also my friends.”

In her first college season, Bogan played in 18 games and made 15 starts. She also began her coursework in Health and Wellness Promotion, a rather unique major that the university offers and can lead her into a collection of careers in a few years. As of now, she’s most interested in becoming a physician assistant at another university after the conclusion of her soccer career. For now, Bogan is continuing to excel on the pitch and represent a family that has an already rich athletic heritage. Her uncle, John DeSimone, played college football at Columbia University, her Aunt Denise DeSimone played basketball at Washington & Jefferson College, and older sister, Carley, played soccer at Vanderbilt. She said this about her family’s impact in her athletic career. “Both of my sisters have definitely been important in my athletic career because they were the reason I got into soccer in the first place. We all wore the same number for most of our soccer careers and we often trained together. Even with our age difference, my oldest sister Carley never took it easy on me and Corrin is the force behind my fitness training.”

“When deciding about playing college sports I was fortunate enough to have sisters with different college experiences to talk to. Carley decided to play D1 soccer so I saw first-hand the commitment that it took from her. Corrin decided not to play college sports and she participated in several clubs and activities at her university. I was able to appreciate both perspectives before deciding. I felt very informed and prepared when arriving at UNC Asheville.” With help and support from her family, Carson Bogan has three more years to improve an already fine start to her collegiate athletic career. Though she likely will continue to rack up more accolades and achievements along the way, she most looks forward to the relationships she will continue to build through the game she loves.