In a draft class that includes 33 goalkeepers, it’s crucial to have something that sets you apart. In the case of Lauren Brzykcy, well, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the title of College Cup Champion attached to your name.
Lauren Brzykcy is a UCLA graduate student who has been with the Bruins since 2017 when she redshirted what would have been her first college season. Since then, Bryzkcy has truly stepped into her role as the team’s number one earning honors such as Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2020, Second-team All-Pac-12 honors is 2021 and 2022, and Hermann Trophy Watch List and first-team All-Pacific Region honors in 2022.
Additionally, while it isn’t technically an honor recognized in the NCAA, in 2020 Brzykcy technically earned herself what NWSL fans know to be an Ironwoman title after playing every minute of every game in goal for the Bruins. An honor that, in the NWSL, was only achieved in 2022 by one goalkeeper!
Of her achievements though, one that is perhaps most notable to her current level of performance is her hard-fought shutout in the 2022 College Cup Semifinal against Alabama. Though the score of the game was 3-0 in UCLA’s favor, Alabama put up a fight. The Crimson Tide forced Brzykcy to become just the second goalkeeper of the year to keep them from scoring as she saved seven shots. Throughout that matchup, the California native showed her versatility, from her strength between the sticks as she warded off shots high and low from Alabama forward Riley Tanner to running far out of her box to join the fray of UCLA set pieces.
Outside of her personal performance, a particular appeal for clubs when it comes to Brzykcy is her relationship with other professional level players. The Bruin goalie knows when to lead from the back and when to trust her team, which isn’t surprising considering she’s learned from some very familiar faces in her years in the program. In 2018 and 2019, the goalkeeper she split her playing time with was none other than Australia Women’s National Team player Teagan Micah. Additionally, playing in front of her were the likes of Jessie Fleming, Ashley Sanchez, Olivia Athens, Mia Fishel, and Lucy Parker.
With a handful more experience than most players bring out of college and an affinity for showing up in both big and small moments, Lauren Brzykcy is a player who can clearly learn from those around her. With all of that said, she would certainly do well placed onto an NWSL team with veteran leadership who could help further develop her unique desire to attack from the back and get involved where and whenever possible.