Women’s Soccer Senior Spotlight; Lauren Hein

Senior Defender Lauren Hein- photo by Carlos Morales

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior defender Lauren Hein is one of four seniors on the UNCG women's soccer team. Leading up to Senior Day against Davidson (Oct. 12), UNCGSpartans.com will feature a new senior every home game until then.   

Growing up in California, What interested you about UNC Greensboro? Why did you decide to play soccer at UNCG? I first visited UNCG with my dad and brother because my brother was looking at UNCG to play baseball and I came along for the ride. I fell in love with the culture of the south; The brick buildings, nice people, and greenery everywhere. When I finally met the team I knew this was the place for me. It was a perfect fit because I wanted to be a part of a family and that is what our soccer program has. The competitiveness to win and also the great bonds that the team had sold me to come here.

Which former UNCG player gave you the best advice about college soccer? Alex Perry was always the person who gave the best advice to me. She was the most positive player and person that I know and I loved playing with her for three years. She would always tell me to enjoy every minute and the short time that we have with each other ­­(meaning the team) because it all goes by so fast.

What has been your favorite college soccer memory since being a part of the team? The best soccer memory I have is beating Wake Forest this year because it was such a great effort from the entire team. Every player on the team made a difference in that game and it was an awesome win for us. My other favorite memory was when we traveled to southern California my sophomore year and I was able to play against my best friend Sam who played for Cal State Fullerton.

Who were your role models growing up? My role model growing up was my dad. He was an amazing athlete playing division I baseball at Pepperdine. He knew so much about what it took to be a successful athlete mentally and physically and luckily he shared that with me and helped me become the player I am today.  Without my dad I wouldn't be where I am today, he has been the best role model and father. My other role model in my life has been my mother. She is the most generous and most loving friend and mom to me. She has taught me so much about being a great person in life. My mom has taught me so much in life that I wish one day I can be half the person and mother that she is.

After being a goal scorer your entire life, what motivated you to help the team and learn defense? What strengths do you bring to defending? I loved playing forward and being a part of the attack but this year I have adopted a new role. I always will put the team before myself and so when Coach Nugent told me that I was becoming a defender, I trusted what he was doing and knew that I had a big role to fill. I have loved playing defense this year because the back four have been awesome as well as our goalkeeping, and they have helped me learn the position and have given me the confidence to lead from the back. One strength that I bring to defending is that I'm fearless and I will do whatever it takes to keep the ball out of our net.

You have been a part of six game-winning goals in college, which one was your favorite and why? My favorite game winning goal was against Elon my sophomore year. It was special to me because my best friend Katie Durst assisted my goal. She set me up perfectly with a weighted pass splitting the defenders and scoring off of her pass was really special to both of us. The goal that Katie created allowed the team to be undefeated in the SoCon that year.

If you could start your college career over again what would you change and why? I wouldn't change anything, I have learned a lot as a person the past four years and have such awesome memories with my team.  I wish that it wouldn't have gone by so fast. I would do it all again if I was given the chance.

What are your career aspirations after college? I'm going to move back to California and get my credentials so I can become a teacher. I have a passion for kids and anyway that I can help them makes me happy.  I also want to coach soccer at the high school or middle school level. 

 Senior Year 

Junior Year
Sophomore Year

Freshman Year

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