| Lauren Kozal | |
| Birth Date: | 11 July 2000[1] |
| Birth Place: | Ada, Michigan |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Currentclub: | Tampa Bay Sun (On loan from Portland Thorns) |
| Clubnumber: | 28 |
| Collegeyears1: | 2019–2022 |
| College1: | Michigan State Spartans |
| Collegecaps1: | 70 |
| Collegegoals1: | 0 |
| Years1: | 2022 |
| Clubs1: | Midwest United |
| Caps1: | 8 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2023– |
| Clubs2: | Portland Thorns |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | → Tampa Bay Sun (loan) |
| Caps3: | 1 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2023 |
| Nationalteam1: | United States U-23 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 2 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | October 3, 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | November 13, 2023 |
Lauren Kozal (born July 1, 2000) is an American professional soccer goalkeeper for the Tampa Bay Sun in the USL Super League, on loan from Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Kozal attended Forest Hills Northern High School, where she played varsity soccer and basketball. She was captain of the soccer team her junior year and a three-time captain of the women's basketball team.[2] Kozal won four consecutive State Cup championships with Midwest United FC and was a member of the club's development academy.[3]
Kozal attended Michigan State University. She made 70 appearances at goalkeeper for the Spartans from 2019 to 2022. She was twice named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year.[4] In 2022, she was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and was elected unanimously to the All-Big Ten First Team.[4]
In 2022, Kozal made 8 appearances for Midwest United FC in the USL W League.[5]
In 2023, she was drafted by Portland Thorns FC as the 32nd pick of the 2023 NWSL Draft. Kozal signed a one-year contract with the club, with an option for an additional year.[6]
In September 2024, Portland loaned Kozal to USL Super League club Tampa Bay Sun FC for the remainder of the NWSL season.[7] Kozal made her debut for the Sun in a 3–0 win over DC Power FC on October 2.[8]
Lauren Kozal was called up to the United States under-23 team in February 2023[9] for two friendly matches against France. She made half-length appearances in both games.[10] [11]
Individual