First person interview with soccer player Lauren Lee

By Laura Clark

Published: April 24, 2008

Senior Lauren Lee is a starting forward for the girls’ soccer team.

On her senior-heavy team:
It’s more comfortable. We’re all friends. We hang out on the field and off the field.
It’s kind of a lot of expectations for us to win, which we’re trying to pull through on.

On working with fellow forward Brielle Ferguson:
I think its going great. Me and Brielle, we’ve been friends for a long time, and we have a great trust between us where we can play really well together. And it seems like midfield just fills right in with us. There’s a lot of support when the midfield pulls up.

On her gutsiest teammate:
Katie Johnson, because she’s not afraid to get that ball. No matter what it takes she will get that ball. She plays defensive mid.

On the team she can’t wait to replay:
I think Heritage. I think we really should have won that game, but it was an off day. I’m pretty sure when we play them again we’ll get a win.
I think we’re at about the same level.

On what people don’t realize about soccer:
That it’s a lot harder than it looks, and communication and teamwork’s a really big part of it. Everybody plays an important role.

On who’s taught her the most about sports:
I think especially Ms. Cox and Ms. Heeman have taught me the most about the game and how important it is. Especially teamwork and stuff.
I know one thing they always say is, “Never give up,” which we do. We don’t give up.
One thing our coach stresses is to definitely play fair, not play dirty. So there’s not many situations where people on our team get yellow cards.

On her most memorable goal to date:
The best goal was the one this year against Nelson. We were 1-1, and we went into overtime. The first overtime we were just determined to win. We got the ball up to about the top of the 18 (yard box) and I just shot it and it went in. We held them off in the second overtime, and we won. It was a proud moment.

On her favorite thing to do in a game:
Definitely just take shots.

On her penalty kick plan:
Hopefully shoot for the corners, the sides of the net. We do (practice those). I wouldn’t pass up that opportunity.

On tie games:
Sometimes I feel like, “Why did we play this whole game for a tie?” We’re just like, “It happens. Not really much we can do about it.”

On playing in the indoor winter league:
I think indoor was great. I wish they would have started it earlier, when I was in ninth grade. They didn’t start it until last year. It’s just fun because it’s something to do in wintertime, and it’s more bonding with the team. It definitely helps once we get to spring soccer because you already have that connection. You’re used to playing with your teammates.

I feel more confident just taking more shots from anywhere, not necessarily getting right up to the goal. (In indoor) you can shoot from your goal almost to the other goal because it’s tiny.