ORLANDO, FL (January 22, 2021) – When the Orlando Pride took the field against the North Carolina Courage in their 2020 Fall Series opener in September, it was the culmination of a long wait in many respects. Not only had the Pride organization not played a competitive match since October 2019, but many of the club’s […]

ORLANDO, FL (January 22, 2021) – When the Orlando Pride took the field against the North Carolina Courage in their 2020 Fall Series opener in September, it was the culmination of a long wait in many respects. Not only had the Pride organization not played a competitive match since October 2019, but many of the club’s young and exciting core had yet to make their debuts.

That September afternoon marked a step forward in Orlando’s youth movement – and a long-awaited professional debut for University of Central Florida alumnus, Carrie Lawrence. “To make it and step on that field for the first time – it was surreal,” said Lawrence. “I was definitely nervous – playing North Carolina in my first game was intimidating. But I tried to keep my mind calm and let the anxiety in my body subside. I knew the one thing that I could control was keeping my mind calm. If I let the adrenaline get to my head, then that could affect my performance. I think that definitely helped and that’s something that, going forward, I’ll continue to control.” Though it was her first match with the club, Lawrence was no stranger to the Pride. An Orlando native, Lawrence trained with the club in 2019 and was signed as a supplemental player in January of 2020. Despite not making the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup roster, Lawrence found herself back with the Pride on a short-term contract in September. From her first day back with the organization, Lawrence was ready to learn. “This whole experience has been such a learning process for me,” said Lawrence. “There’s not a practice that I’m not taking in information and trying to apply it. I think the Fall Series was a perfect time to learn. You’re going to make mistakes, but it’s about how you react and grow as a player. I’m a sponge – I just tried to absorb everything when playing some of the best teams in the league.” She wasn’t alone, either. While Lawrence said her time training with the team in 2019 “gave me a bit of an edge” in her return in September, she credits the comradery with her fellow rookies with making her debut season an easier process. “Having those players that I knew were going to the same thing as me – it was comforting,” said Lawrence. “I didn’t feel alone in the process of learning and making mistakes. Being able to have someone that I could talk to and that could relate to me – it was so helpful. I can’t imagine going through the Fall Series alone and not really having anyone that can relate to those times. It wasn’t an easy process. Having Konya [Plummer] – who’s a former teammate of mine – and Courtney [Petersen] and all of the other rookies was comforting. We were all on the same journey together.” To spend your rookie season defending the likes of Debinha, Lynn Williams, and Kristie Mewis can be daunting to your average rookie. But, Lawrence – who helped Orlando keep a clean sheet in that Fall Series opener at North Carolina – says that the players she faces in training give her the confidence to face anyone she lines up against on the weekend. “It’s the best training environment I could ask for,” said Lawrence. “You want to train against people who give 100%, every day. Being able to train against Marta – she brings her best to the table, and that only makes me a better player. In the long run, it’ll only benefit me. I won’t be surprised by anyone’s level when I face Marta every day. I’m lucky to face some of the best players in the world in training – it only gives me more confidence.” Now, with a year of professional experience under her belt, Lawrence will be returning for the Pride in the 2021 Challenge Cup – signing a new contract with the club on Tuesday. As an Orlando native and alumnus of the University of Central Florida, continuing her career with her hometown club is nothing short of a dream. “It’s been a dream,” said Lawrence. “Growing up watching these players and watching Orlando Pride come into the league, I always thought it would be incredible to join them one day. I didn’t think it was possible then, but as I got older and went through UCF it was my ideal job. It’s super special – I’m so lucky to be here and be playing in Orlando, surrounded by my family and friends. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”