Defender of Her Title

For senior Carson Carroll being named West Of’s Athlete of the Week is nothing new. In October, she received the honor for her achievements on West Ashley High School’s Cross-Country Team. This week she’s being honored for her efforts on the Wildcat’s’ soccer team. In addition to her being the 7th fastest runner in WAHS history, she’s also recently been named the captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team for her final season at the school.
Over the last weekend in February, the Wildcats traveled to the Taco Bell Viking Cup in Columbia. Out of 32 teams that competed for the Cup, WAHS came in second place overall.
“Carson Carroll demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to keep West Ashley High in the games. Of the 3 games played, none were blowouts,” says the WAHS varsity girls’ soccer coach Drew McNeely. “Carson has played numerous positions for West Ashley High, but this season, her leadership skills and knowledge of the game have allowed the coaching staff to place her in the center back position of defender.”
At the end of the tournament, Carroll was nominated for the All-Tournament Team as a Defender, further proving her skills as a true leader. “Our entire back line is new to the field and requires a unit of players that work together. While it is still early in the season, Carson has taken younger players around her and willed them to play together,” says McNeely.
Carroll has played soccer for 13 years and wants to continue to play it in college. As her senior year comes to a close, Carroll has decided to attend Winthrop University in Rock Hill and major in Commercial Photography. When asked what advice she follows, Carroll quoted one of her favorite soccer players, Mia Hamm. “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back.”