Meet the Bishops: Get to know a little about Lauren Kocsis of the Ohio Wesleyan women's soccer team
Class Year: 2020
Major: Communication
Minor: Coaching
How/Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
My number one priority in choosing a university was finding a school that met my academic needs. Ohio Wesleyan University is a very prestigious liberal arts school. The smaller population allows me to have great relationships with my professors and have my voice be heard in the classroom. I also based my decision on the best school for me athletically. The Ohio Wesleyan women’s soccer team allows me to succeed personally as well as be a part of a successful program.
How/Why did you choose your major?
I chose the major communication with a minor in coaching because the combination best sets me up for success in my future. My career goal is to be an event planner for a corporate company in a large city. I also want to be able to continue my love and passion for soccer by coaching. I want to be a role model and inspiration to young players in their athlete journey.
What is your favorite memory on the Ohio Wesleyan soccer team?
My favorite memory on the Ohio Wesleyan women’s soccer team is our trip to Boston my sophomore year over fall break. It was a great experience to bond with my teammates while exploring a new city. We also had the opportunity to play at Springfield College (my head coach’s alma mater) and my family from Connecticut was able to see me play.
What position do you play and how / why did you chose that position?
The position that I play is defensive center midfielder. I chose this position because I always want to be involved in the play of the game. I am very competitive and love to protect our goal by preventing the other team from scoring, yet also enjoy being able to assist my teammates in scoring.
Is there a specific coach or teammate who has helped you get where you are?
A coach that has helped me grow into a player able to play at the collegiate level is my club soccer coach at FC42, Jessica Witzky. She was my club soccer coach throughout high school. Jess really encouraged and challenged me in my play and helped me be the player I am today. She also has been a personal role model in my life. She gives so much to FC42 and players while balancing a marriage, two young children and a day job. She is always so positive and puts 110% into everything she does. This season she was hired onto the OWU women’s soccer staff and I could not be happier to have her again as my coach. Two coaches that have helped me throughout my college soccer career are my current head coach, Nicole Ross, and my current assistant coach, Becca Madison. Nicole taking over the head coaching position at OWU was why I was so excited to be part of the OWU women’s soccer program my freshman year. She turned the program around and it is really awesome to be a part of that change. Becca is a former OWU women’s soccer player in the midfield. She really has mentored me in my position. Both coaches really believed in me from the start and I am so happy and thankful to be playing for them.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with?
Julie Johnston/Ertz: US Women’s National Team soccer player.
Malala Yousafzai: Activist for female education and youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
Michelle Obama: Former first lady, role model for women, and advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating.
What movie or TV show would you like to star in and why?
I would like to star in the TV show That '70s Show because it is my favorite television series. I would also love to star on a show with some of my favorite actors/actresses such as Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace.
by Erin Ross '20
