Markwith Continues to Elevate Game
By Kevin Ivany
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A senior midfielder on the University of Miami soccer team, Lauren Markwith continues to elevate her game in every match.
“Lauren has made a lot of improvements throughout the season,” Miami head coach Sarah Barnes said. “She is one of those players who, I think, every game continues to get better. As a coach, that is exactly what you want to see—a player that is continuing to grow and learn and because of that has a greater impact on the team. She was injured a lot last year and it really hampered her ability to make an impact on the pitch. But, she came back [for her senior year] stronger and more fit, and that combination has helped her stay healthier.”
Looking to make an impact on both her fitness level and her overall confidence, Markwith took advantage of an opportunity to compete at the Guatemalan National Team Camp in July, the first qualifier camp she attended since competing at a U20 World Cup qualifiers camp four years ago.
“When they told me I made the roster, I was super excited,” Markwith said. “And when I went, it had obviously been four years, so my Spanish was a little rough and I was a little nervous. But, luckily soccer is a universal language and the players were super welcoming.
“I think it really helped with my confidence because just playing with players that were older than me was awesome, as well as the fact that they play soccer a little differently [in Guatemala]. They are so good on the ball, so good with their touches and really it is just a different style then what is played in America,” Markwith continued. “It is based so much on skills that I think it helped me because I can always improve in that area of my game. It also helped my confidence because when I came back for the preseason I knew, ‘Alright, I can do this. I am good enough to do this.’ I was just really excited for the season.”
With two goals in 2019 and six over the course of her four-year career, the central defensive midfielder has made plays on both sides of the ball and it is the extra work she applies away from the pitch that has stood out to Barnes and her staff.
“She is in here every week watching film, asking questions and trying to understand what we are asking of her so she can be better in games,” Barnes said. “The product of that, is that she is evolving and becoming a better player on the field. It is one of those situations where you wish you had another year or two with her because her best soccer is still ahead of her. So, it has been really fun to work with her and watch her grow throughout the season.”
Away from Cobb Stadium, the Huntington Beach, Calif., native has been involved in several internships as she looks to pursue a career as a sideline reporter once her soccer career comes to a close.
“It has been great. UM has provided me so many opportunities,” Markwith said. “Shirelle [Jackson, Miami’s Senior Associate AD of Student-Athlete Development] helped me get the [Miami] Heat internship [last year] and now I am working with Inter Miami CF. And despite the challenges of doing it during the season, it has been really awesome because I get to see the business side of soccer, in addition to having the opportunity to play it.
“It is a little strange, because on the job I am the one interviewing the players, but obviously since I play soccer, I can connect with the players on a different level,” Markwith continued. “And I think it can really help me long term with what I want to do, which is to be a sideline reporter. And even though it has been really time-demanding and tiring, I think it has been worth it. Because I have gotten so many great experiences, I have met so many different and amazing people along the way and I have built all these great connections.”
But despite her experiences and love for being in front of the camera, Markwith’s number one goal following the season is to play at the next level.
“I definitely want to continue playing after [I am done at Miami],” Markwith said. “Like I said, I am interning at Inter Miami CF, so if they do offer me a job, I would definitely consider taking it, but then again I really want to play professionally, possibly in Europe.
“I am really great friends with Grace Rapp, so she was talking about her experience [pursuing a professional career following her 2016 senior season] and how much she loved it. And she was also studying in the communications school, so I feel like we have similar goals in life,” Markwith continued. “And she told me, ‘To play soccer, you have the rest of your life to work, but if you are granted the opportunity, run with it.’ So, that really got me thinking that I want to play.”
And as the final chapter of her collegiate career nears, she reminds her fellow classmates to always keep working hard and putting in the extra work, no matter what.
“I think something that I have really emphasized to the freshmen, is even if things don’t go your way, just keep working hard and putting in the extra work because that is going to show,” Markwith said. “You are going to show yourself and the coaches that you care, and on top of that you will get better as a soccer player. So just don’t give up and try and stay positive. Obviously a lot of adversity happens both on and off the field, so just stay positive and keep on working even if things don’t go your way.”
