Lauren Milliet Bio
Lauren Milliet Stopforth (born December 1, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a right back for Racing Louisville of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Standing 5 feet 1 inch tall, she is recognized for her remarkable durability and consistency at the professional level, becoming a defining figure for the Louisville franchise. In April 2025, Milliet became the first player in NWSL history to log 100 consecutive matches for one club, cementing her reputation as one of the league’s most dependable competitors.
A native of Durango, Colorado, Milliet played her entire college career with the Colorado College Tigers before entering the professional ranks. After a brief stint with the North Carolina Courage, she joined Racing Louisville during the team’s inaugural season and has remained with the club ever since, serving as a defensive anchor and veteran leader.
Early Life and Background
Lauren Milliet Stopforth was born on December 1, 1996, in Durango, Colorado, a small city in the southwestern corner of the state known for its outdoor lifestyle and tight-knit community. Growing up in this environment, she developed an early passion for soccer, a sport that has long been popular among youth in Colorado. Her upbringing in Durango helped shape her competitive character, as the region’s demanding weather and rugged terrain encouraged resilience and hard work.
Details about her family background remain limited in publicly available sources. What is clear is that her path through youth soccer was successful enough to attract attention from college programs, and she eventually committed to Colorado College, a Division III program in Colorado Springs. This choice reflected both her academic ambitions and her desire to continue playing at a high level in her home state.
Path to Soccer
Milliet joined the Colorado College Tigers women’s soccer program and quickly established herself as a key contributor. She started in all 77 of her appearances for the Tigers, a remarkable streak of durability that hinted at the Ironwoman reputation she would later earn in the professional ranks. Over the course of her college career, she tallied 21 goals and 16 assists, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that combined defensive awareness with offensive contribution.
Her performance at Colorado College drew the attention of NWSL scouts, and in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, Milliet was selected as the 14th overall pick in the second round by the North Carolina Courage. She was just the second player ever drafted from Colorado College, marking a significant milestone for both her program and her individual career.
Lauren Milliet Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Milliet began her professional career with the North Carolina Courage during the 2019 NWSL season. As a young rookie, she featured in two matches for the Courage, gaining valuable experience at the top level of American women’s soccer. Her playing time was limited, but the environment offered her a chance to train alongside some of the league’s most accomplished players.
The 2020 NWSL regular season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Milliet remained active, participating in both the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. It was during this period that she made her first professional start on July 1, in a 2–0 win over the Washington Spirit, a milestone moment that signaled her readiness for a larger role.
Racing Louisville FC Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Milliet was selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft, making her one of the original building blocks of the fledgling franchise. She quickly became a fixture in the team’s back line, bringing consistency and veteran poise to a roster filled with new faces. Her commitment to the club was rewarded in 2022, when she signed a new three-year contract extension through 2025.
In both 2022 and 2023, Milliet earned NWSL Ironwoman honors, playing every minute of every game for Louisville, an extraordinary feat of endurance that highlighted her fitness and importance to the team’s structure. In 2024, the club extended her contract through the 2026 season, and she later signed a new deal keeping her in Louisville through 2027, with an option for 2028. As of 2026, she is Racing Louisville’s all-time appearance leader and the only player still with the club since its inception.
A landmark moment came in April 2025, when Milliet became the first player in NWSL history to log 100 consecutive matches for one club, a testament to her consistency and durability. She continued to add to her legacy in 2026, scoring her first professional brace in a 3–2 victory over the Orlando Pride on April 24, contributing to Racing’s first win of the year and marking her first time scoring in nearly four years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milliet is widely respected for her consistency, tactical intelligence, and elite conditioning. Operating primarily as a right back, she combines defensive reliability with the ability to contribute in the attack, as evidenced by her goal-scoring outputs at both the college and professional levels. Her partnership with Louisville’s coaching staff has produced a player who rarely misses matches and consistently delivers steady performances under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Milliet’s most significant milestones include becoming the first player in NWSL history to log 100 consecutive matches for one club in April 2025, earning Ironwoman honors in 2022 and 2023, and scoring her first professional brace in 2026. She also holds the distinction of being the only original Racing Louisville player still on the roster, a unique status in NWSL history.
Lauren Milliet Career Wins
While Milliet is not primarily known as a goal-scorer, her career is marked by consistent team contributions and individual records. Her most notable wins and performances have come in the form of match appearances, milestones, and clutch performances rather than trophy collections, reflecting her role as a dependable defender and Ironwoman.
NWSL Highlights
Milliet’s NWSL career began with the North Carolina Courage, where she made her first professional start in a 2–0 win over the Washington Spirit on July 1, 2020. After joining Racing Louisville, she scored her first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over the Kansas City Current on April 2, 2022, during the NWSL Challenge Cup. In 2026, she added a brace in a 3–2 victory over the Orlando Pride, her first multi-goal performance at the professional level.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Milliet was a four-year starter for the Colorado College Tigers, appearing in 77 matches and producing 21 goals and 16 assists. Her selection as the 14th overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft marked her as the second player ever drafted from her program, a notable distinction for both her and Colorado College.
Lauren Milliet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Lauren Milliet Stopforth’s family background is limited. She was raised in Durango, Colorado, where she developed her love for soccer, but specific details about her parents and siblings are not widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Lauren Milliet Stopforth married Cameron Stopforth on December 20, 2022. The couple’s union has been a steady presence in her life as she continues her professional career in Louisville. Details about her personal life outside of soccer remain largely private, consistent with her reputation as a focused and disciplined athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NWSL season represented a defining chapter in Lauren Milliet Stopforth’s career. In April 2025, she became the first player in NWSL history to log 100 consecutive matches for one club, a historic achievement that underscored her remarkable consistency and importance to Racing Louisville. The milestone drew league-wide attention and cemented her status as one of the most reliable players in the competition.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Milliet continued to serve as a defensive anchor for Racing Louisville, with the team benefiting from her experience and leadership. Her role as the only remaining original member of the club’s roster gave her a unique standing in the locker room, and she was looked to as a mentor for younger players adjusting to the professional level.
Heading into the next phase of her career, Milliet remains under contract with Racing Louisville through 2027, with an option for 2028, signaling the club’s long-term commitment to their all-time appearance leader. Her continued durability and Ironwoman reputation suggest she will remain a central figure for the franchise for years to come.