RISING STAR: Florida's Lauren Hyde

• by Bryan Alvarez  @somuser, Nov 7, 2008

SOCCER AMERICA profiles Florida junior Lauren Hyde, one of the nation's top center backs. She recovered from a foot injury in preseason to anchor the Gators' backline. Florida heads into Friday's SEC semifinal against Georgia with a 13-game winning streak.

LAUREN HYDE
POS.: Defender
AGE: 20
COLLEGE: Florida
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Carmel, Ind.
HIGH SCHOOL: Bishop Chatard High School
YOUTH CLUB: Carmel United Soccer Club
INTERNATIONAL: None.
STARTING OUT: I started playing different sports as a kid. I started playing soccer and I liked it. I starting playing club and moved on from there.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: None.
FIRST CLEATS: The cheapest kind.
CURRENT CLEATS: Adidas Predators.
OTHER SPORTS: In grade school, I played basketball and baseball. Once I got to high school, it was all soccer.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Indianapolis Colts.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Peyton Manning, Mia Hamm.
FAVORITE MOVIES: The Dark Knight, The Notebook.
FAVORITE ACTOR: Brad Pitt.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: 24.
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: It's been great. I love the University of Florida. The soccer is fun. I love playing for such an amazing team. All the girls are great. School-wise, I love attending such a prestigious public school. I'm going to get a great degree.
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: My Carmel club coach, Gene Lindley.
HOBBIES: I have lots of schoolwork. When I'm not doing that, I like hanging out with friends and shopping.
MUSIC: I listen to country. Before games, I listen to rap to get pumped up.
VACATION: I've always wanted to go to Hawaii.
FAMOUS PERSON YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Peyton Manning.