Senior Tyra Bogan’s love for soccer took her from her first practice at 4 years old to national championships. After graduation, her passion and dedication will take her to the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she will play competitive soccer while studying neuroscience. 

St. Andrews stood out to Tyra because of its balance between academics and athletics, as well as its opportunities abroad. She always wanted to study abroad but knew the NCAA would limit her options. At St. Andrews, she will play in the British Universities and Colleges Sports League against top teams in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. 

“Someone suggested to me, ‘Why not four years abroad?’” Tyra said. “And I said, ‘Yeah, why not?’” 

Tyra was first inspired to become a goalkeeper because she could be the sole player to use her hands. She currently plays on the LAHS varsity team and her club team, MVLA 07, in the Elite Clubs National League. 

“It was like I had superpowers,” Tyra said. “Being able to play with my hands in a sport where everyone else only had their feet felt like the coolest thing in the world.”

But what kept Tyra on the field for so many years was her deep appreciation for the sport and the community she built with her teammates. 

“She’s dedicated to connecting with everyone and building team camaraderie through outside activities like boba runs,” senior Anya Lin said.

“I’ve always really enjoyed competitive sports,” Tyra said. “But there was so much teamwork involved and so many amazing people that I met through the game that kept me playing.”

On top of this, the global popularity of soccer fueled Tyra’s passion for it. 

“Anywhere you go, someone is playing. Whether it’s on the beach, or the grass, or on the turf, or in the backyard,” Tyra said.

Tyra considers herself competitive as a player and is always focused on improving her skills.

“One of the first words that comes to mind to describe Tyra is hardworking,” Anya said. “She puts her best effort into everything she does and will not settle for less.”

“The phrase I live by is, ‘The most important goal is the next one, the most important save is the next one,’” Tyra said. 

From winning CCS with the LAHS team to ranking third in the country with her club team, Tyra’s  soccer career has seen major successes.

“She’s confident, strong, and very vocal,” Head Coach Jacob Valadez said. “I know that if Tyra’s at practice, she will be focused and ready. And the same goes for games — she’s a reliable player.”

But not all of her wins can be tracked by a scoreboard. According to Valadez, Tyra’s largest achievements come from being a captain and teammate, and sharing her role as goalkeeper with another player has proved a valuable asset.

“That’s an achievement in itself, to share your position with somebody else,” Valadez said. “That takes a lot of maturity to maintain your friendship while competing for time.”

Despite the competitive atmosphere, Tyra maintains composure and professionalism on the field. Off of it, she maintains close friendships with her teammates. 

“She has high expectations for herself and her teammates,” Valadez said. “But what sets her apart is that she can have a disagreement or a hard conversation and still be friendly.”

“I try to be really positive and uplifting,” Tyra said. “Through communicating with my teammates, building them up, celebrating their successes, and making sure I’m giving everyone an opportunity to have their voice heard.”