LAUREN LINDELL

PORTER HIGH SCHOOL

Porter senior Lauren Lindell didn’t start playing soccer until the seventh grade when she finally convinced her dad to let her play which has had its advantages and disadvantages for the Pirates center midfielder.

“Since I started playing soccer later than a lot of kids, I had to work really hard to catch up and I’ve continued to find ways to get better. On the other hand, a lot of players that have played for a long time often view it as more of a job and get burned out but that’s never been the case for me.”

Porter assistant coach Shayla Kuban has been around Lauren since the start of her career.

“She’s got such great foot skills and while she plays center mid, she’s good enough to play just about any position for us.”

One of her best friends and role models is Hilldale soccer player Gabby Dover.

“We played against each other when she was playing youth soccer in Fort Gibson, and it was always fun to play against her because we were both pretty good. We became good friends over the years and guest-played on each other’s club teams until we both ended up on the same team. She’s a great soccer player and brings the love of Jesus with her to the soccer field, and I admire her so much.”

Lauren is an assistant coach on a team in Porter’s growing youth soccer program.

“I want to instill my love for soccer into these young players because I love this game,” said Lauren who is also in the National Honor Society.

As a team leader this year, Lindell has a clear idea of how to succeed.

“I think a good leader leads by example and not by yelling. In the past we’ve had leaders who yelled to get more out of you, but you never got more out of them. I think being kind also goes a long way to getting you respect and make others want to try harder for you.”

Lauren hopes to make All Stat this year and will continue playing soccer next season at Northern Oklahoma College in Enid.

“I hope to continue to grow in soccer and never plateau.”