Lauren Sesselmann

Lauren Sesselmann was born on August 14, 1983, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA, and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She attended Purdue University from 2001 to 2005, where she played collegiate soccer. During her time at Purdue, Sesselmann set six program records for the Boilermakers, including points, goals, assists, game-winning goals, multiple-goal games, and shots on goal. She was recognized as First Team All-Big Ten in both 2003 and 2005 for her performance as a forward. After her collegiate career, Sesselmann began her professional club career, playing for F.C. Indiana in the Women’s Premier Soccer League in 2007 and the W-League in 2008. She scored 9 goals and 4 assists in 14 games for F.C. Indiana in 2008. In 2009, she was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars and later signed with Sky Blue FC. Her career continued with the Atlanta Beat from 2010 to 2011, where she transitioned from forward to defense, making her debut as a left-back in April 2010.

Sesselmann acquired Canadian citizenship in 2010 through her father, which led to her international career with the Canada women’s national team. She earned her first international cap in September 2011 against the United States. In 2011, she was part of the Canadian squad that won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico, starting in four of five matches. A significant milestone in her career came at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where she made her Olympic debut and played a crucial role as a defender for the bronze medal-winning Canadian women’s team, starting all six matches. She continued to represent Canada, including at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her club career also included playing for FC Kansas City in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, followed by a stint with the Houston Dash from 2014 to 2015, and later with Santa Clarita Blue Heat from 2017 to 2018. Following her retirement, Sesselmann has engaged in various activities, including acting as an advisor for women’s football and creating fitness content.

Her career achievements include a Pan American Games gold medal in 2011 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2012. She was also recognized in the NWSL Second XI in 2013 for her defensive contributions. Beyond her athletic career, Sesselmann has ventured into other fields, including being a trainer, producer, and host of the fitness DVD program *Fit As A Pro with Lauren Sesselmann*. She has also taken on roles as an advisor, mentor, TV host, and public speaker, broadening her professional endeavors post-playing career. She was inducted into the Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2022.