In The Nest: BGSU Women's Soccer's Lauren Milner Embodies the Term 'Student-Athlete'
Presented by Medical Mutual
6/30/2022
Lauren Milner (North Ridgeville, Ohio) enters her fourth season with the BGSU women's soccer program this fall, having helped the Falcons win Mid-American Conference championships in each of her first three seasons. She has been named to the Academic All-MAC Team and has earned a pair of prestigious team awards – the HABITS Exemplar Award and the Leslie Dawley Fighting Falcon Award – during her time with the Orange and Brown.
Q: Do you have any fun trips or events planned for the summer?
Milner: Unfortunately, I’m not planning to travel anywhere this summer because I’m completing my last semester of nursing clinicals. However, I’ve been able to attend a couple really good concerts.
Q: When did you start playing soccer and how did you wind up gravitating toward the sport?
Milner: I started playing soccer when I was around four years old. I played several sports growing up, but I ended up choosing to pursue soccer because of the experiences I had with the coaches and teams I was a part of that helped further my love for the game.
Q: What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?
Milner: I decided to attend BGSU because it’s a place I felt welcomed and comfortable right away. The coaching staff and academic advisors worked hard to generate a plan that allowed me to not only continue my soccer career but also complete a nursing degree, which I’m extremely grateful for.
Q: Your brother, Kyle, was working with the BGSU men’s soccer team when you got here. Did that affect your decision to come to BG, & what was it like having him on campus and in the athletic department?
Milner: Having my brother here at BGSU did not affect my decision to come, but it definitely ended up being an added plus! We have a close relationship so being able to have someone outside of my team who understood the day-to-day grind and responsibilities of college athletics was a nice outlet for me. I’m grateful that I was able to share two years with him on campus.
Q: BGSU has won the MAC title and gone to the NCAA Tournament every year that you’ve been here. What are some of the things that have made this team so successful?
Milner: I believe the team culture that we have established throughout the past couple years has been a major contributor to our overall success as a team. Each year I think we have continued to come together despite the obstacles that have occurred, such as COVID and moving our season to the spring, and compete for one another.
Q: You are a nursing major at BGSU. What made you decide to study in that field, and what are your career goals after college?
Milner: Growing up I always had an interest in the medical field and after learning more about nursing, I felt it was a great opportunity to pursue my interest and be able to make a difference in the lives of others. After college I plan on returning to the Cleveland area and securing an RN position at one of the local hospitals. .
Q: You are from North Ridgeville, Ohio, just west of Cleveland. What is something people should know about your hometown?
Milner: My hometown is known for holding the Corn Festival each year, and it is home to the Riddell production and distribution center for NFL and NCAA equipment.
Q: What is your go-to restaurant and/or meal?
Milner: I love going out for any kind of breakfast food.
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
MIlner: Growing up, I was inspired by the members of the U.S. Women’s National teams, but I would say my parents have encouraged me the most athletically to pursue and try whatever sport I wanted.
Q: Do you have any pre-game or game-day rituals? If so, when and how did they start?
MIlner: For game-day, I have a set pair of spandex that I normally wear and before the whistle blows at the start of the game, I take two warm up jumps. I think I started doing this in high school but I’m not sure how it came about.
Q: Where is your favorite spot on campus and why?
Milner: My favorite place on campus is probably our field, Cochrane Stadium. I’ve been lucky enough to share a lot of special moments there and overall, it’s a great atmosphere whether you’re playing or watching our men’s team.
Q: Who is the funniest player on the team and why?
Milner: This is a tough one because I feel like we have a lot of great personalities on the team. But, if I had to pick, although she’s not on the team any more, Rachel Muller. She’s truly one of kind and always knows how to make people laugh or liven up the locker room.
Q: How would you describe your style of play?
Milner: I would describe my play as a team-oriented, possession-based style.
Q: Describe Coach Walker in one word.
Milner: Passionate.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a part of the BGSU women's soccer program?
Milner: I love being able to compete and be able to represent the university and the Bowling Green community with the rest of my teammates.
Q: What are your goals, both personally and for the team, for the 2022-23 academic year?
Milner: I would like to make a big impact this season both from a defensive and attacking standpoint and help the team make a push for another MAC championship and NCAA Tournament run.
