Newcomer Spotlight: Lauren Holland

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With the start of the fall semester right around the corner, Gopher Sports is sitting down with this year's newcomers on the Minnesota women's soccer team. The Gophers welcome six incoming freshmen to the fold this season, featuring players hailing from the Midwest to the Southeast.
 
Continuing this week, we have freshman defender Lauren Holland of Skokie, Ill. During her prep years, Holland competed for Development Academy FC United, where she served as the team captain in 2019.
 
In both 2016 and 2017, Holland was selected to the Illinois Olympic Development Program State Team. Additionally, Holland earned an invitation to train at the US Girls Soccer Training Center in each of those years.
 
GopherSports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Holland: "For me personally, it was just the environment and the people that are here. I just thought there was a great culture here and I liked everybody that was here and I like the coaching staff. It was just the place I wanted to be."
 
GS: When did you first start playing soccer and when did you know that you wanted to compete collegiately?
Holland: "I think I was six years old. I started with [American Youth Soccer Organization]. I'm pretty sure everyone starts at AYSO and eventually moves up into travel and stuff. Around when I was in middle school, [playing in college] started becoming a goal of mine. That's when I started viewing soccer like that."
 
GS: Talk about the experience you got at the US Girls Soccer Training Center from 2016-17.
Holland: "It was really fun. Basically, it was a group of people from Illinois that they invited – the most elite people from Illinois. We all got together three times per month and came together and played soccer. We had coaches come out and talk to us. It was really fun. We all came together and played high level soccer."
 
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
Holland: "I was really just focused on soccer. That was my main focus. I wasn't really interested in any other sports, anyway."
 
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength as a player?
Holland: "Probably my competitiveness and my will to learn and be coachable and adaptable."
 
GS: What is one thing you're hoping to improve on this year?
Holland: "Gelling with the team. It's hard to come in as a freshman and get acclimated. I think that's going to be my biggest struggle. Just gelling with the team. Getting to know everybody."
 
GS: How would you describe yourself as a player to someone who has never watched you compete?
Holland: "I'm a direct player. I like to play balls into people's feet. I like to be direct."
 
GS: What is the most memorable moment of your soccer career so far?
Holland: "When my team and I went to San Diego this past year for [Development Academy FC United]. It was just a really fun experience and I thought we played really well in that tournament…"
 
GS: What was your club playing experience like overall?
Holland: "It was a great experience, at least for me. I think it's way more competitive and high-level than high school, so I enjoyed it. I got more out of it than I would have than playing high school soccer. And it's fun to come together with people from outside your school. You get to see new competition and stuff."
 
GS: Who has been your biggest mentor or inspiration throughout your career?
Holland: "I'd probably just say all my coaches. They've always been there and they were always good people. They really helped me develop my game."
 
GS: What advice do you have for aspiring youth athletes?
Holland: "Just work really hard. Try your best all the time. Hard work and dedication is what it takes."
 
GS: What are your goals as a Gopher Soccer player?
Holland: "In general, just be the best player I can be and help the team as much as I can."
 
GS: How have the first few weeks of training with the team gone?
Holland: "I think the first few weeks have actually been really good. I think the team is gelling and as weeks have gone on, we've become more of a unit. Yesterday, we had one of our best practices. We're coming together. It's exciting."

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