10/27/2026 2:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The fourth-year midfielder has overcome adversity not once, but twice to keep her college soccer dream alive
STATESBORO - Midfielder Lauren Connelly has been a staple of the Georgia Southern women's soccer team for the last four years. Her soccer journey to Statesboro and the perseverence she has shown as an Eagle is a testament to her work ethic and True Blue mentality.
Lauren Connelly has always had soccer in her life. "I first started playing soccer when I was about three years old," she said. "To be honest, it's all I've ever known."
Growing up in a family where everyone on her dad's side played the game, it felt natural for her to follow the same path. She began at the World Cup league with family friends, then moved into academy and club soccer with Roswell Santos. Along the way, she tried other sports such as t-ball, gymnastics, dance and basketball, but soccer was the one that stuck. "I enjoyed playing soccer much more and had a close team that I ended up playing with from when I turned seven or eight all the way until college," she said.
Her love for the game was tested in high school when she tore her ACL during her junior year. The injury sidelined her during a critical recruiting period, and she wasn't sure if college soccer was in her future. But as she recovered and returned to the field, something clicked. Her high school team made a deep playoff run, and she fell in love with the sport all over again.
The Home She Has Always Known
Even before she decided to play collegiate soccer, Connelly had already chosen Georgia Southern. Her parents are both alumni, and her sister was set to start her senior year when Connelly would arrive as a freshman. "Georgia Southern and Statesboro was like a second home to me," she said. "I had grown up attending soccer and football games, and it was always 'Go Eagles!'"
She planned to pursue a degree in biology, but when the opportunity to join the soccer program came along, she couldn't pass it up. It felt like everything had come full circle; family, school and sport all in the same place.
Through it all, her father has been her biggest influence. He played soccer at Georgia Southern alongside his twin brother and coached her throughout her career. "He has always taught me to put my best foot forward and compete at the best of my ability, whether it be soccer, academics, or relationships," she said. "He is the reason for all of my greatest successes and I would not be where I am today without him."
Overcoming Adversity and Celebrating the Moment
Connelly's journey at Georgia Southern hasn't been without challenges. After battling back from her second ACL tear, she experienced one of the most meaningful moments of her career - her first collegiate goal. It wasn't just the goal that mattered; it was what came after.
"It was not the fact that it was only my first collegiate goal, but it was also my third opportunity to play after coming back from my second ACL tear," she said. "The moment after I was greeted with enormous hugs and cheers from the entire staff and team. It was honestly a full circle moment for me."
For Connelly, that celebration was about more than a point on the scoreboard. It was a recognition of the 423 days she spent recovering, the work she put in, and the people who supported her every step of the way. "The best thing about Georgia Southern above all else is the community," she said. "Every single person from the program was there for me in a rough patch, past and present."
Looking ahead, Connelly plans to continue helping others. She hopes to enter a radiography program and pursue a career in medical imaging, with plans to become certified in multiple modalities like CT and MRI. It's a path that combines her passion for learning with her desire to make a positive impact on people's lives.
To Eagle Nation, she has a simple message: "Thank you for the continuous and unwavering support. There truly is no place like Statesboro, Georgia. The people make the place, and they have made this the best place. As always, Go Eagles!"
