From Texas to Tampa: An Interview With Lauren Kellett

The Tampa Bay Sun have begun their inaugural season with two draws from two games. While GK Ashley Orkus has been instrumental in maintaining a so far undefeated record, Texan Lauren Kellett has been there all the while, pushing the former and challenging her to stay at the top of her game.

Starting out her professional career in Florida, Kellett has been invaluable in her own right – and could yet have a chance to contribute on the field as the year progresses. 

Kellett comes to the Tampa Bay Sun off the back of a decorated four years at Texas Christian University. It was very close to home for her, which would have made her freshman season easier. All the better, as that campaign was impacted by the COVID pandemic. It started in the spring of 2021, instead of the fall prior. After things had settled down a bit, she became the first choice keeper and made nearly 70 appearances in total for the Horned Frogs. She told RBLR Sports she had the option to stay on for a fifth year due to Covid. However, she chose to take her chances with the newly formed USL Super League in the offing. 

After her senior season, Kellett was offered the chance to train with the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League. This stint also included a foray into the competition where the vast majority of people will have first heard of the Tampa Bay Sun: The Soccer Tournament.

Both the Sun and Courage’s representative teams were in Group B of the women’s TST bracket. The Sun came out victorious in the matchup between them; but, each side progressed after two wins in the group stage. Kellett’s team beat a Canadian representative side before losing in the final to a group labeled US Women. Naturally, they were made up of former US women’s national team players, and proved a formidable opponent. 

In the same interview, RBLR Sports asked how she came in contact with the Sun. Kellett told us that there was previously interest from a club in Sweden. However, she said that she was unsure about the timeframe. “I can’t imagine myself being gone for that long – and in Sweden!” Two days later, though, her agent told her there was interest from the club she had already faced in a seven-a-side tournament that summer. Apparently, that was all she needed to hear. 

Sun manager Denise Schilte-Brown met her future charge in that game and fate brought them together professionally. Kellett was known for playing the ball out of the back in college and this was something Tampa Bay’s coaching staff had noticed in looking over her film. The ability to play the ball with their feet is almost a necessity for goalkeepers across the sport now. From the highest echelons of the game to the newest of leagues, it is a prized asset. No doubt the small-sided games in The Soccer Tournament also showcased this talent. 

Being new to the professional game, Kellett told us she has benefited from rooming with Domi Richardson, a midfielder with several years of NWSL experience under her belt. Learning the ins and outs of competing every day to reach a higher standard is necessary for anyone making the jump from an amateur level.

However, they share more than just an on-the-job mentorship. Kellett and several of her teammates live in the same complex. They have been able to play Fortnite together in addition to taking part in scrimmages on the pitch and now games in the Super League. The team is meshing well off the field, which will hopefully help their ability on it. 

After two matches in its inaugural season, the Sun still have some kinks to work out and early growing pains. Players signed from abroad have been unavailable at these early stages. Additionally, injuries have impacted availability of those on the roster who would otherwise be able to play.

Another keeper signed to the team, Florida-native Kaylan Marckese, has been listed as being out with some type of knock. Lauren Kellett is standing behind Ashley Orkus, ready to fill in as soon as she’s needed should another goalie go down.

When she does play, she’ll be making her professional debut. Should that come in Blue and Gold colors, fans will know they have a special player, one who’s been preparing for this long before she came to Tampa Bay.