Major:Â Communication Studies
Hometown: Newbury Park, CA
Career Highlights:Â Four-time letter winner; competed in 25 matches over her four year career
Biography: Carlson came to USF following a stellar prep career at Newbury Park High School where she had a big senior season, earning All-Marmonte League and team MVP honors. Carlson also excelled in cross country as well as track and field. Other early soccer experience included playing club soccer for the Las Virgenes Swoosh Squad, winning league titles in 1998 and 1999. On the Hilltop she was a relentless defender who was known for her tough marking.
Why Carlson Chose USF: "I loved the city of San Francisco and felt I would thrive in USF’s learning environment with small classes."
Favorite USF Memories: "I will always remember memories from the trips we took to places like Hawaii, Colorado, Wyoming and Washington. I will also never forget our early morning practices - one year there was an art exhibit on campus and there were dozens of two-three foot tall alien statues on the lawn of the library. Many mornings we would walk to practice and just see the heads of the statues sticking up out of the fog, and it was so creepy! I also vividly remember pre-season trips we took to Lake Tahoe and a ranch up in Mendocino County - it was super hot, the playing surface was horrendous and the water tasted like lead."
The USF Student-Athlete Experience: “"My first year at USF, we had 19 freshman on the women’s soccer team. By my senior year, less than 10 of us still remained. I can’t recall the score of a single game we played during those four years. Being on the soccer team was like our own sorority and the friendships I made were the greatest take-away from my experience. My freshman and sophomore roommate and teammate ended up transferring to another school junior year, but she became my very best friend and soul sister (my daughter was named after her). The memories we shared together at USF and even more importantly, after USF, are priceless."   Â
Life After USF: Carlson is currently living in Southern California and has two children. She is responsible for managing a leading bio pharmaceutical company called Amgen’s Supplier Diversity and Supplier Sustainability programs. On a day-to-day basis she is actively engaged in a number of external organizations dedicated to advocacy for small and diverse businesses. Carlson's career began in the Entertainment Industry working for companies such as Warner Brothers, HBO and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
