April 1, 2010

BERKELEY - Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Hein earned a lot of valuable experience playing behind two senior goalies. The 5-8 keeper, a native of Tustin, Calif., saw action in one game. CalBears.com recently caught up with Hein to discuss what her first semester as a Golden Bear and a student-athlete was like.

CalBears.com: Now that you've got one year of collegiate women's soccer under your belt - what was the best part of the soccer season?
Lauren Hein: The best part of the season was getting the hang of collegiate athletics while becoming part of the Cal women's soccer family.

CalBears.com: What was the best part about your fall semester?
LH: Fall semester was new, thrilling and a learning experience that won't be forgotten.

CalBears.com: After one semester of college academics, what are you planning on doing differently or the same next semester in terms of school?
LH: I'm looking forward to trying out some of the sciences that didn't fit in my schedule last semester.

CalBears.com: What is something you didn't know before you came to Cal but you now know?
LH: Red is a bad color.

CalBears.com: What was the favorite class you took during the fall?
LH: My freshman seminar on biology. The teacher was very cool, there were amazing presentations on things like robotics influencing biology, and we were given a meal at every class!

CalBears.com: What class are you most looking forward to this semester?
LH: My two sciences: physics and bio 1b (minus the 8 a.m. lecture time)

CalBears.com: What was it like to balance school and a competitive soccer team at the collegiate level?
LH: Balancing school and soccer wasn't too difficult since it's what we have been doing all of our lives. Although, I did have to get used to the required study hours every week.

CalBears.com: Has Cal lived up to or has it been different/better than the expectations you had of it when you signed your national letter of intent in high school?
LH: Cal is everything I thought it would be, with very high levels of academics and competitive athletics.

CalBears.com: How was your winter break? What was the highlight?
LH: My winter break was amazing. I really missed being home. My highlight was definitely spending time in the mountains in my grandparents' cabin with family and friends.