With the end of the fall soccer season, Lauren Jacobs ended her four-year soccer career at UCSD. Since playing at Valencia High School in Yorba Linda, Calif., and continuing on to UCSD soccer has been a big part of Jacobs’ life. Although leaving her teammates and the game is not going to be easy, Jacobs has now shifted her focus toward graduation.
“”I will miss the game of soccer. I will miss playing at the level of skill of college soccer,”” Jacobs said. “”Unfortunately, I already played four great years here and have no more eligibility left, while I will be around through next fall.””
As a midfielder, Jacobs was part of one of the best teams UCSD ever had. In her career, UCSD went 77-9-1 with three championships. Being a part of three championship teams, including the team’s first in Division II in its first year of competition, is meaningful to Jacobs.
“”Winning championships is very special; it is something I will always treasure, especially the one where we did it at home,”” she said.
Being a part of the best team in the league also meant playing in many intense games. Teams like UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona always play UCSD tough, but it was these intense rivalries that Jacobs loved.
“”Besides the championships, I will miss playing in games against our intense rivalries,”” Jacobs said. “”I will never forget the famous mud bowl against UC Davis up at Sonoma State.””
Despite being the only four-year senior on the team, Jacobs still had to earn every minute of playing time due to all of the talent on the team. She always worked hard and tried to set an example for the rest of her teammates.
“”I had to compete really hard. Many juniors stepped it up and were very good leaders this year. I always tried to be one, too,”” she said.
Now that the game of soccer is over for her, Jacobs takes her hard-working mentality to concentrate on her future. She is a human development major, who hopes to one day to use her educational skills to improve the lives of children.
“”I want to be able to work with children after I graduate,”” Jacobs said.
Although women’s soccer goes on without her and will attempt to win back the championship title next year, there is no doubt that Jacobs will be missed.