A love for the game
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
"I play for love of the game."
Hillsboro soccer player Lauren Colliver is set to begin her senior campaign for the Lady Indians, but the sport of soccer is more than just a game for her.
Soccer has allowed Colliver to travel the United States from Washington to Florida, and various places in-between. She has stayed grounded and is set to take on her senior high school season with a passion for the game like none other.
"I love playing soccer at the highest level I can find," Colliver said. "Each time I play, I want to make myself and my team better."
Colliver currently holds the Hillsboro High School girls single season scoring record with 20 goals, but breaking that mark is just one of the goals Colliver has set for herself this upcoming season, as she wants the Lady Indian team to recapture championship form.
"I was a part of an SCOL championship team my freshman year, and that is one of our goals this season," Colliver said.
But before her high school team is set to begin playing, Colliver put in many hours at the club level (ECNL) this summer. This past week, her Ohio Elite team placed third at the national tournament in Seattle, Wash. At the club level, Colliver has been a part of two Ohio Cup champion teams, with the first one being won at the age of 13 and the other this summer.
The club season starts with 48 teams playing in the season, with the top four playing for the national championship.
Getting to the national title tournament has been one of the highest points of Colliver’s soccer career, but it all started when she was 5 years old, playing for the SAY Soccer League in Hillsboro.
"My parents signed me up when I was 5 for fun," Colliver said. "It was the local thing to do, but as I got older, I wanted to play more competition. Once I wanted to play better competition, soccer went from a hobby to more of a lifestyle for me."
Colliver said soccer is a 12-month sport, as she's made sacrifices with other sports, opting not to play softball or basketball, to concentrate on soccer.
"I have to be committed to just soccer to get to where I want go," she said. "I play high school from July through October, and club from November to July."
The key word is dedication, with Colliver practicing in Cincinnati three nights a week while keeping a GPA of 4.1 and being a member of the National Honor Society, as she will be entering her 8th season at the club level."My school work is most important, but if you can do both (school and soccer), then do it," she said. "But the busy schedule teaches me a lot about dedication and responsibility. It is about time management and working hard. If I know I have practice right after school, I'll pack my bag at night, and there is a lot of homework done in the car with the long trips for club practice."
The senior standout enters the 2010 season as a three-time All-SCOL player (twice 1st year), two-time All-SE District and once a second team All-Ohio selection through her first three years at the high school level.
Colliver, a center-midfielder in high school, will be playing her fourth season at the varsity level and has been a team captain for the past two seasons.
"At center-midfield, I get to attack more, and it is a position with more scoring involved," Colliver said.
The hard work and sacrifice Colliver, along with her family, has put in is paying off in a big way as she has verbally accepted to play women's soccer for Miami University (a Division I school) in Oxford.
"It was a long process, very nerve-wracking, but it was worth the wait," Colliver said about the college recruiting process. "I get to go to a school and play soccer at a place that I want to go."
Before she enters the collegiate ranks, Colliver said her senior season will be special for a number of reasons, but mostly because she will get to play on the same team as her sister, Madison, who will be a freshman. Lauren's brother, Chase, plays local soccer in Hillsboro.
"It will be extra special because I'm excited to be on the same team as Madison," Colliver said.
Though she will be playing in Hillsboro this fall, Colliver has made many memories traveling to cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Orlando, Portland, Las Vegas, Houston, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and in states including South Dakota and Wisconsin.
"Playing 50-55 games a year, I've had the opportunity to play at some amazing places," Colliver said. "My favorite ones have been playing in Washington D.C., because of all the history and monuments, and Orlando at the Disney Complex.
"The top one was in Portland at the Nike World Headquarters. That was a good experience."
But Colliver has memorable moments in the SCOL as well.
"I love to play Clinton-Massie because the games are so competitive. They are the toughest game on the schedule," she said. "I also like playing against Greenfield because they are our school rivals. The senior game is also special. It doesn't matter if you are a senior, the game is special, but this year will be more special because I'll be a senior. The game is a good way to wrap up the regular season."
Colliver also mentioned her family and the sacrifices they've made to help her reach this point of her soccer life.
"I am grateful for all the support and sacrifices my family has made for me, especially my parents (Kelly and Shay). I just thank all my coaches and all the time they've spent developing my skills and making me who I am. They pushed me to make me better."
Her coaches include Leslie Molen (Hillsboro) and club coaches Doug Bracken and Tim Lesiak (director of club soccer). Colliver also thanked her first coach, her father.
Speaking about why she sacrifices so much, Colliver said: "This game has a lot of early mornings and late nights, with a lot of sacrifices, but I do it because I have a love for the game."
continued from Page 11
"My school work is most important, but if you can do both (school and soccer), then do it," she said. "But the busy schedule teaches me a lot about dedication and responsibility. It is about time management and working hard. If I know I have practice right after school, I'll pack my bag at night, and there is a lot of homework done in the car with the long trips for club practice."
The senior standout enters the 2010 season as a three-time All-SCOL player (twice first team), two-time All-SE District and once a second team All-Ohio selection through her first three years at the high school level.
Colliver, a center-midfielder in high school, will be playing her fourth season at the varsity level and has been a team captain for the past two seasons.
"At center-midfield, I get to attack more, and it is a position with more scoring involved," she said.
The hard work and sacrifice Colliver, along with her family, has put in is paying off in a big way as she has verbally accepted to play women's soccer for Miami University (a Division I school) in Oxford.
"It was a long process, very nerve-wracking, but it was worth the wait," Colliver said about the college recruiting process. "I get to go to a school and play soccer at a place that I want to go."
Before she enters the collegiate ranks, Colliver said her senior season will be special for a number of reasons, but mostly because she will get to play on the same team as her sister, Madison, who will be a freshman. Lauren's brother, Chase, plays local soccer in Hillsboro.
"It will be extra special because I'm excited to be on the same team as Madison," Colliver said. “
Though she will be playing in Hillsboro this fall, Colliver has made many memories traveling to cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Orlando, Portland, Las Vegas, Houston, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and in states including South Dakota and Wisconsin.
"Playing 50-55 games a year, I've had the opportunity to play at some amazing places," Colliver said. "My favorite ones have been playing in Washington D.C., because of all the history and monuments, and Orlando at the Disney Complex.
"The top one was in Portland at the Nike World Headquarters. That was a good experience."
But Colliver has memorable moments in the SCOL as well.
"I love to play Clinton-Massie because the games are so competitive. They are the toughest game on the schedule," she said. "I also like playing against Greenfield because they are our school rival. The senior game is also special. It doesn't matter if you are a senior, the game is special, but this year will be more special because I'll be a senior. The game is a good way to wrap up the regular season."
Colliver also mentioned her family and the sacrifices they've made to help her reach this point of her soccer life.
"I am grateful for all the support and sacrifices my family has made for me, especially my parents (Kelly and Shay). I just thank all my coaches and all the time they've spent developing my skills and making me who I am. They pushed me to make me better."
Her coaches include Leslie Molen (Hillsboro) and club coach Doug Bracken and Tim Lesiak (director of club soccer). Colliver also thanked her first coach, her father.
Speaking about why she sacrifices so much, Colliver said: "This game has a lot of early mornings and late nights, with a lot of sacrifices, but I do it because I have a love for the game."[[In-content Ad]]
Hillsboro soccer player Lauren Colliver is set to begin her senior campaign for the Lady Indians, but the sport of soccer is more than just a game for her.
Soccer has allowed Colliver to travel the United States from Washington to Florida, and various places in-between. She has stayed grounded and is set to take on her senior high school season with a passion for the game like none other.
"I love playing soccer at the highest level I can find," Colliver said. "Each time I play, I want to make myself and my team better."
Colliver currently holds the Hillsboro High School girls single season scoring record with 20 goals, but breaking that mark is just one of the goals Colliver has set for herself this upcoming season, as she wants the Lady Indian team to recapture championship form.
"I was a part of an SCOL championship team my freshman year, and that is one of our goals this season," Colliver said.
But before her high school team is set to begin playing, Colliver put in many hours at the club level (ECNL) this summer. This past week, her Ohio Elite team placed third at the national tournament in Seattle, Wash. At the club level, Colliver has been a part of two Ohio Cup champion teams, with the first one being won at the age of 13 and the other this summer.
The club season starts with 48 teams playing in the season, with the top four playing for the national championship.
Getting to the national title tournament has been one of the highest points of Colliver’s soccer career, but it all started when she was 5 years old, playing for the SAY Soccer League in Hillsboro.
"My parents signed me up when I was 5 for fun," Colliver said. "It was the local thing to do, but as I got older, I wanted to play more competition. Once I wanted to play better competition, soccer went from a hobby to more of a lifestyle for me."
Colliver said soccer is a 12-month sport, as she's made sacrifices with other sports, opting not to play softball or basketball, to concentrate on soccer.
"I have to be committed to just soccer to get to where I want go," she said. "I play high school from July through October, and club from November to July."
The key word is dedication, with Colliver practicing in Cincinnati three nights a week while keeping a GPA of 4.1 and being a member of the National Honor Society, as she will be entering her 8th season at the club level."My school work is most important, but if you can do both (school and soccer), then do it," she said. "But the busy schedule teaches me a lot about dedication and responsibility. It is about time management and working hard. If I know I have practice right after school, I'll pack my bag at night, and there is a lot of homework done in the car with the long trips for club practice."
The senior standout enters the 2010 season as a three-time All-SCOL player (twice 1st year), two-time All-SE District and once a second team All-Ohio selection through her first three years at the high school level.
Colliver, a center-midfielder in high school, will be playing her fourth season at the varsity level and has been a team captain for the past two seasons.
"At center-midfield, I get to attack more, and it is a position with more scoring involved," Colliver said.
The hard work and sacrifice Colliver, along with her family, has put in is paying off in a big way as she has verbally accepted to play women's soccer for Miami University (a Division I school) in Oxford.
"It was a long process, very nerve-wracking, but it was worth the wait," Colliver said about the college recruiting process. "I get to go to a school and play soccer at a place that I want to go."
Before she enters the collegiate ranks, Colliver said her senior season will be special for a number of reasons, but mostly because she will get to play on the same team as her sister, Madison, who will be a freshman. Lauren's brother, Chase, plays local soccer in Hillsboro.
"It will be extra special because I'm excited to be on the same team as Madison," Colliver said.
Though she will be playing in Hillsboro this fall, Colliver has made many memories traveling to cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Orlando, Portland, Las Vegas, Houston, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and in states including South Dakota and Wisconsin.
"Playing 50-55 games a year, I've had the opportunity to play at some amazing places," Colliver said. "My favorite ones have been playing in Washington D.C., because of all the history and monuments, and Orlando at the Disney Complex.
"The top one was in Portland at the Nike World Headquarters. That was a good experience."
But Colliver has memorable moments in the SCOL as well.
"I love to play Clinton-Massie because the games are so competitive. They are the toughest game on the schedule," she said. "I also like playing against Greenfield because they are our school rivals. The senior game is also special. It doesn't matter if you are a senior, the game is special, but this year will be more special because I'll be a senior. The game is a good way to wrap up the regular season."
Colliver also mentioned her family and the sacrifices they've made to help her reach this point of her soccer life.
"I am grateful for all the support and sacrifices my family has made for me, especially my parents (Kelly and Shay). I just thank all my coaches and all the time they've spent developing my skills and making me who I am. They pushed me to make me better."
Her coaches include Leslie Molen (Hillsboro) and club coaches Doug Bracken and Tim Lesiak (director of club soccer). Colliver also thanked her first coach, her father.
Speaking about why she sacrifices so much, Colliver said: "This game has a lot of early mornings and late nights, with a lot of sacrifices, but I do it because I have a love for the game."
continued from Page 11
"My school work is most important, but if you can do both (school and soccer), then do it," she said. "But the busy schedule teaches me a lot about dedication and responsibility. It is about time management and working hard. If I know I have practice right after school, I'll pack my bag at night, and there is a lot of homework done in the car with the long trips for club practice."
The senior standout enters the 2010 season as a three-time All-SCOL player (twice first team), two-time All-SE District and once a second team All-Ohio selection through her first three years at the high school level.
Colliver, a center-midfielder in high school, will be playing her fourth season at the varsity level and has been a team captain for the past two seasons.
"At center-midfield, I get to attack more, and it is a position with more scoring involved," she said.
The hard work and sacrifice Colliver, along with her family, has put in is paying off in a big way as she has verbally accepted to play women's soccer for Miami University (a Division I school) in Oxford.
"It was a long process, very nerve-wracking, but it was worth the wait," Colliver said about the college recruiting process. "I get to go to a school and play soccer at a place that I want to go."
Before she enters the collegiate ranks, Colliver said her senior season will be special for a number of reasons, but mostly because she will get to play on the same team as her sister, Madison, who will be a freshman. Lauren's brother, Chase, plays local soccer in Hillsboro.
"It will be extra special because I'm excited to be on the same team as Madison," Colliver said. “
Though she will be playing in Hillsboro this fall, Colliver has made many memories traveling to cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Orlando, Portland, Las Vegas, Houston, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and in states including South Dakota and Wisconsin.
"Playing 50-55 games a year, I've had the opportunity to play at some amazing places," Colliver said. "My favorite ones have been playing in Washington D.C., because of all the history and monuments, and Orlando at the Disney Complex.
"The top one was in Portland at the Nike World Headquarters. That was a good experience."
But Colliver has memorable moments in the SCOL as well.
"I love to play Clinton-Massie because the games are so competitive. They are the toughest game on the schedule," she said. "I also like playing against Greenfield because they are our school rival. The senior game is also special. It doesn't matter if you are a senior, the game is special, but this year will be more special because I'll be a senior. The game is a good way to wrap up the regular season."
Colliver also mentioned her family and the sacrifices they've made to help her reach this point of her soccer life.
"I am grateful for all the support and sacrifices my family has made for me, especially my parents (Kelly and Shay). I just thank all my coaches and all the time they've spent developing my skills and making me who I am. They pushed me to make me better."
Her coaches include Leslie Molen (Hillsboro) and club coach Doug Bracken and Tim Lesiak (director of club soccer). Colliver also thanked her first coach, her father.
Speaking about why she sacrifices so much, Colliver said: "This game has a lot of early mornings and late nights, with a lot of sacrifices, but I do it because I have a love for the game."[[In-content Ad]]