Ball State University Athletics
Lauren Arnold Joins Soccer Program as Assistant Coach
April 14, 2016 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State head soccer coach Craig Roberts has announced the addition of Lauren Arnold as an assistant coach for the Cardinals.
Arnold comes to Muncie after two seasons as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb in the Big South Conference. She worked primarily with the Runnin' Bulldogs' goalkeepers and defense during her time in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Her playing career included collegiate stops at Clemson and South Alabama in addition to high school all-America recognition and a three-year run with the U.S. Youth National Team.
“We are delighted to welcome Lauren to our Ball State soccer program,” Roberts said. “I believe Lauren will enhance our program by calling on her USA national team and NCAA Division I playing experience. In addition, her strong drive and motivation to promote excellence will bring the continued cutting edge needed to naturally progress the program.”
Arnold mentored Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Krista Chauvin, who ranked second in the Big South in saves in 2014 and was named the league's defensive player of the week three times. Freshman Keeley Brown took over as the GWU goalkeeper in 2015 and registered five shutouts under Arnold's guidance.
"I am honored to be appointed to the position of assistant coach at Ball State University,” Arnold said. “As soon as I stepped onto campus, I could feel a sense of community throughout the staff and students. Craig's passion for his players is unwavering, and his knowledge of the game knows no bounds. The women on the Ball State soccer team are fierce in their love for the game and their school, and they are hungry to represent the Cardinals as best as they possibly can on and off the field."
A native of Hoover, Alabama, Arnold played two years at both Clemson (2010-2011) and South Alabama (2012-2013). She led ACC in saves during her freshman season with 87, a total that was high enough to place her sixth on Clemson's career saves list after just one year.
Arnold played in 28 games over two seasons with the Tigers before transferring to South Alabama. There she was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team in 2012 and helped the Jaguars win the league championship in 2013.
During the summer of 2012, she played for the Gulf Coast Texans of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and helped her team to a national championship.
Arnold was one of the nation's top prep players at Spain Park High School outside Birmingham, where she was the Gatorade Alabama player of the year, an ESPN high school all-American and the No. 1-rated recruit in the South region by Top Drawer Soccer in the class of 2010.
She guided Spain Park to the 6A Alabama state championship as a senior and helped her club team, Birmingham United 91 Elite, to back-to-back state cup titles.
Arnold graduated from South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2014 and is currently working on her master's in sports pedagogy.
She holds both USSF and NSCAA licensure and also spent time working with the North Carolina Olympic Development (ODP) staff.
What they are saying about Lauren Arnold …
“Lauren Arnold is a fierce competitor and an amazing goalkeeper. She has taken that competitive fire as a player and focused it on her coaching, and any player that has the good fortune to work with her will become a much better player as a result.” -- Chris Ducar North Carolina women's soccer assistant coach
"Ball State gained an incredible asset and steward of the game in Lauren. Lauren has been a leader at every level she has competed at and has been one of the most determined competitors I have ever coached. Lauren is without a doubt an incredible up-and-coming coach that will not only refine their soccer skills but also help them become amazing young women.” -- Sarah Strickland, Appalachian State women's soccer head coach
