By Collin Bolebruch
Lauren Haley is the backbone to Plattsburgh’s defense. She is the starting goalkeeper for the Plattsburgh State Cardinals and has been since her sophomore year in 2022. In her senior campaign, she has started 14 of the team’s 16 games, only missing two games due to health, and has logged 1,197 minutes. Last season she was named to the All-SUNYAC First Team and earned two SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Week selections after recording seven clean sheets over the season.
The LaGrange, New York native has been a leader for the Cardinals, and has captained a Cardinal defense that has secured two shutouts in its last two games as they hunt for a playoff spot.
Outside of soccer, the social work major is an aspiring world traveler. Haley can often be found backpacking through countrysides and hiking trails.Â
Haley has a minor in coaching, and hosts a slew of soccer clinics for local youths alongside her teammates.
Question: What has been the single most exciting game moment of your career and why?
Answer: The most exciting game of my career was beating Geneseo in the regular season 1-0 last year. Geneseo has always had a notoriously strong women’s program. No one on the team — including myself — had ever beaten them. The last time Plattsburgh won against Geneseo was in 2015. I remember the game itself being pretty back-and-forth. Avery Durgan took a pretty nice shot with about five minutes to go. When the ball hit the back of the net it was such an awesome moment, especially in a hard-fought game. The atmosphere in the locker room after and on the bus back to Plattsburgh was so fun. As a goalkeeper, you obviously can only do so much to help your team score. A shutout win is all you can ask for.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working soccer clinics and why?
A: I’ve played soccer my whole life and love working with kids. I remember the college coaches who would help out at the clinics I would play at when I was their age. Now that I’m able to help out with and run clinics, I’m able to get creative and make my own practice plan. I remember all the drills that I used to love, and it’s super fun watching the kids have fun and get competitive with one another. I was fortunate enough to work closely with Plattsburgh Football Club. I was really able to see the development of these young girls on and off the field. I hope that I’m able to be a good role model for any of the girls that I get to train.
Q: What has been your favorite travel adventure? Where’s one place you’d like to go?
A: In the summer of 2023 my sister and I went backpacking in Washington state for two weeks. We hiked around Mt. Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. I grew up camping, but the longest I had ever backpacked was for a night or two before this trip. Spending two weeks off the grid and 13 nights in a tent with my sister in the most breathtaking place was so special and something that I’ll never forget. There’s so many places on my bucket list that I want to visit. I would love to hike in the Andes Mountains and climb Machu Picchu.Â
Q: While you were injured, how did you help to support Lily Bailey as she stepped in to start during an important part of the season?
A: Lily has developed so much as a person from the day that I met her to now. There was never a doubt in my mind about Lily. She holds herself with such confidence and takes pride in how she plays. She’s made some pretty big saves this season so far. Everyone gets super hyped in those moments, but there is never any shock. She’ll make a big play and walk off like nothing ever happened. That’s just Lily. Goalkeeping can be a tricky position, you either play 0 or 90. You don’t get 5-10 minutes on the field like some other positions. I try to support her in anything she does, especially in big games. Everyone on the team can truly say they trust and have confidence in her when she’s in net. I’m really excited to see how her career plays out over the next two years.Â
This question-and-answer was conducted with Lauren over email Oct. 8.
