Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
Carys Bourbeau is a senior defender from nearby Sylvania, Ohio.
Rocket Spotlight on Carys Bourbeau
8/28/2026 9:45:00 AM | Women's Soccer
On sticking with Coach Sam Turner, overcoming on-field mistakes and seeing waterfalls in Iceland
Carys Bourbeau is a senior defender from Sylvania, Ohio, who is majoring in mechanical engineering. She has played in 55 and started 33 matches in a Toledo uniform, totaling nearly 3,500 minutes on the field. Bourbeau has received Academic All-MAC honors at Toledo.
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When did you start playing soccer and what other sports did you play?
Ever since I remember, I used to play soccer. Around 5-years-old is when I started and I really stuck with it. I also played softball and basketball throughout high school. Being a multi-sport athlete really helped my athletic ability.
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What did you gain from being active year-round and playing three different sports?
Each sport brought a different quality of athletic ability. Basketball is faster-paced, sprinting and I was able to work on my quickness. Soccer is more endurance-based, and softball is very technical. Learning all three skills through three different sports was key.Â
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When did you start considering playing college soccer?
Not until my senior year. I played for Pacesetter and Coach Sam [Turner, formerly Tiongson], our assistant coach here was my club coach. She really led me towards college soccer. I did not really think about playing other sports. I wanted to focus on my academics.
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When did Toledo come into the picture for you?
Pretty late, I applied to go as a student without soccer, being local. Not until around winter of my senior year is when it came into the picture with soccer. Coach Sam was a big influence in where I was going. Being able to stick with her was key.
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Did you always want to stay close to home?
I knew it was a possibility, especially with playing soccer. It is nice to have all of my family at our sporting events. Their support means a lot. I looked pretty far when I was applying for colleges. I applied to a lot of SEC schools, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
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What do you like the most about being a local player here?
The support. Having home games and having my whole family [being] able to come and show support really is key. I really enjoy it. For senior night, my aunts and uncles, grandparents, and parents were all in attendance – about 20 people. It was great.
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You had the opportunity to play as a freshman. Looking back, what do you remember learning from that experience and getting early minutes on the field?
I feel like I've grown in my composure and the way that I play. In the moment, being able to move on after making a mistake is important I always think about a next-play mentality. Take a deep breath, move on. If I make a mistake, or something does not go my way, get the next play. Get the next ball. Do whatever I can to make the next progression.
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Is the next play mentality something you instill in your teammates?
Yes. Especially with those in my position (defender), or around me on the field. I try to make sure we are all on the same page. If something happens, make sure we forget about it and move on. We still have a lot of game to play. It's not going to define the game.
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Now that you are a senior, what has changed about you as a student and an athlete from your freshman to senior years?
For me, these past four years have flown by. I'm making sure I enjoy my time and make the most out of it. Take the little moments and run with them.
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You are majoring in mechanical engineering. What made you pick that major? What do you hope to do after you graduate with your degree?
Both my dad and brother are mechanical engineers. I've always enjoyed math and science, so I figured I would stick with it. Get into medical devices if possible, but weigh all my options. I would love to travel; I am big on travel. If I can get a job where I can travel as well, that would be great.
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Where do you hope to travel to? Are there any recent trips you have been on?
Anywhere is great. I want to travel all around the world. I went to Iceland over the summer. Seeing it in the summer is very different from winter, so I definitely want to go back and see it in the winter. They have really pretty waterfalls and amazing scenery in Iceland.
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When did you start playing soccer and what other sports did you play?
Ever since I remember, I used to play soccer. Around 5-years-old is when I started and I really stuck with it. I also played softball and basketball throughout high school. Being a multi-sport athlete really helped my athletic ability.
Â
What did you gain from being active year-round and playing three different sports?
Each sport brought a different quality of athletic ability. Basketball is faster-paced, sprinting and I was able to work on my quickness. Soccer is more endurance-based, and softball is very technical. Learning all three skills through three different sports was key.Â
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When did you start considering playing college soccer?
Not until my senior year. I played for Pacesetter and Coach Sam [Turner, formerly Tiongson], our assistant coach here was my club coach. She really led me towards college soccer. I did not really think about playing other sports. I wanted to focus on my academics.
Â
When did Toledo come into the picture for you?
Pretty late, I applied to go as a student without soccer, being local. Not until around winter of my senior year is when it came into the picture with soccer. Coach Sam was a big influence in where I was going. Being able to stick with her was key.
Â
Did you always want to stay close to home?
I knew it was a possibility, especially with playing soccer. It is nice to have all of my family at our sporting events. Their support means a lot. I looked pretty far when I was applying for colleges. I applied to a lot of SEC schools, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
Â
What do you like the most about being a local player here?
The support. Having home games and having my whole family [being] able to come and show support really is key. I really enjoy it. For senior night, my aunts and uncles, grandparents, and parents were all in attendance – about 20 people. It was great.
Â
You had the opportunity to play as a freshman. Looking back, what do you remember learning from that experience and getting early minutes on the field?
I feel like I've grown in my composure and the way that I play. In the moment, being able to move on after making a mistake is important I always think about a next-play mentality. Take a deep breath, move on. If I make a mistake, or something does not go my way, get the next play. Get the next ball. Do whatever I can to make the next progression.
Â
Is the next play mentality something you instill in your teammates?
Yes. Especially with those in my position (defender), or around me on the field. I try to make sure we are all on the same page. If something happens, make sure we forget about it and move on. We still have a lot of game to play. It's not going to define the game.
Â
Now that you are a senior, what has changed about you as a student and an athlete from your freshman to senior years?
For me, these past four years have flown by. I'm making sure I enjoy my time and make the most out of it. Take the little moments and run with them.
Â
You are majoring in mechanical engineering. What made you pick that major? What do you hope to do after you graduate with your degree?
Both my dad and brother are mechanical engineers. I've always enjoyed math and science, so I figured I would stick with it. Get into medical devices if possible, but weigh all my options. I would love to travel; I am big on travel. If I can get a job where I can travel as well, that would be great.
Â
Where do you hope to travel to? Are there any recent trips you have been on?
Anywhere is great. I want to travel all around the world. I went to Iceland over the summer. Seeing it in the summer is very different from winter, so I definitely want to go back and see it in the winter. They have really pretty waterfalls and amazing scenery in Iceland.
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