Lauren Sesselmann

Lauren Sesselmann

Sesselmann in August 2009
Personal information
Full nameLauren Marie Sesselmann
Date of birthAugust 14, 1983
Place of birthMarshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing positionDefender, forward
Club information
Current team
Houston Dash
Number4
Youth career
1997–2000Notre Dame Academy
2001–2005Purdue Boilermakers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004Steel City Sparks2(1)
2007–2008F.C. Indiana22(13)
2009Sky Blue FC1(0)
2010–2011Atlanta Beat20(0)
2013FC Kansas City19(0)
2014–Houston Dash0(0)
Total52(14)
National team‡
2011–Canada39(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 20, 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of February 2, 2014

Lauren Marie Sesselmann (born August 14, 1983 in Marshfield, Wisconsin) is an American-born Canadian soccer defender, former forward and olympic medalist who currently plays for Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League. She is also a member of the Canadian national team, trainer, producer and host of the Fitness DVD program Fit As A Pro with Lauren Sesselmann.

Early life

Sesselmann was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She starred in both soccer and basketball at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, winning multiple letters and helping Notre Dame to an undefeated season and a Wisconsin state championship in girls' basketball in 2001.

Purdue University

Sesselmann played collegiately at Purdue University from 2001 through 2005. She set six records for the Boilermakers in points, goals, assists, game-winning goals, multiple-goal games, and shots on goal registered. She was also named First Team All-Big Ten in 2003 and 2005.[1]

Playing career

Club

Following her time at Purdue, Sesselmann remained in the area to play for F.C. Indiana, based in Greater Lafayette. She played in both the Women's Premier Soccer League in 2007 and W-League in 2008 with the club. She scored nine goals and four assists in 14 games for the Lionesses in 2008, as they were runners-up in the W-League.

On January 16, 2009, Sesselmann was drafted by Chicago Red Stars with the 44th overall pick in the 2009 WPS Draft. She was waived prior to the season and signed by Sky Blue FC in May 2009.[2] In 2010, Sesselmann attended training camp with Saint Louis Athletica, but was released during camp. She then signed with the Atlanta Beat, where manager Gareth O'Sullivan converted her from forward to defense. Sesselmann debuted with the Atlanta Beat on April 11, 2010 in a match against Philadelphia Independence, earning her first WPS start at left back.

In 2013, she joined FC Kansas City in the new National Women's Soccer League. On January 10, 2014, it was announced that Sesselmann was selected by the Houston Dash with the third pick in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft.[3] However, her role with the Dash has been put into question by a statement from her agent stating it is "in her best interest to explore options as a free agent".[4]

International

Sesselmann acquired Canadian citizenship in 2010 through her father, who is from Newfoundland, and was called up to the Canadian national team for training camp leading up to two friendlies against the United States in September 2011. She won her first cap on September 17, 2011 as a starter at left back against the United States and playing the full 90 minutes. She also started the second friendly against the United States September 23, 2011.

Sesselmann was named to the 18-player Canadian squad for the 2011 Pan American Games at Guadalajara. She started at left back in four of five matches and appeared as a substitute in the other, helping Canada to win the gold medal.[5]

In Canada's run to a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, Sesselmann started all six matches, two at left back and four at centre back.[6][7]

References

  1. ↑ "Lauren Sesselmann player profile". Purdue University. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Sesselmann signs with Sky Blue". Our Sports Central. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Houston Dash select 10 players in 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft". Houston Dash Communications. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  4. ↑ Bell, Thad. "Sesselmann's agent responds to her being drafted". Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Lauren Sesselmann player profile". Canada Olympic Committee. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Sesselmann Helps Team Canada Win Bronze at Olympics". Purdue University. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Canada makes history with Olympic bronze victory vs. France". National Post. Retrieved January 11, 2013.

External links